Question

1.      Summarize the primary sociological theories that explain gendered roles and behaviors.

2.      Summarize the gendered inequalities in education, the workplace, and in intimate relationships.

3.      Dating, Paring, and Courtship
What are the primary functions of dating and courtship.

Describe minimally three ways of mate selection and meeting mates. Describe the Mating gradient Factors Affecting Eligibility/ Availability

Answer 1

Ans1. Structural functionalists attempt to explain the nature of social order and the relationship between the various parts (structures) in society by examining the functionality of each to determine how it contributes to the stability of society as a whole. Although theorists using other perspectives argue that gender differentiation is bad for society in general and women in particular because it keeps women from reaching their potential and contributing fully to society, from the functionalist perspective, gender differentiation contributes to the stability of a society. Gender roles, in this view, arise from the need to establish a division of labour within the family.

The sex role theory, also known as gender role theory refers to the socially accepted role relating to a range of behaviours and attitudes based on actual or perceived sex or sexuality. Gender roles are premised upon the basis of femininity and masculinity. Both aforementioned theories believe that because of their biological role in childbirth and breastfeeding, women virtually in every culture and society around the planet have the primary responsibility for childcare. Similarly, men have traditionally had the responsibilities for hunting and waging war because of their relatively greater size and strength.