Thinking about Women : Sociological Perspectives on Sex and Gender

by Andersen, Margaret L.; Witham, Dana Hysock

• ISBN13: 9780205578726
• ISBN10: 0205578721
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-06-08
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

Thinking about Womenintroduces readers to how gender operates in societyinfluencing womenrs"s and menrs"s self-concepts, relationships with others, life opportunities, and experiences of inequality. This text examines how gender and the differences it makes still permeate womenrs"s and menrs"s lives. Also, the text discusses how gender is socially constructed-that is, formed through early learning patterns that are continuously reinforced throughout all social institutions. Also, the text shows how gender intersects with other social factors, especially race and class, but also sexual orientation, age, religion, and nationality, among others.

Table of Contents

Brief

Introduction

Studying Women: Feminist Perpectives

Gender, Culture, and Sex

The Social Construction of Gender

Gender, Culture and the Media: The Social Construction of Knowedge

Secuality and Intimate Relationships

Gender and Social Institutions

Gender, Work and the Economy

Women and Families

Gender, Health, and Reproduction

Women and Religion

Women, Crime and Deviance

Gender, Education, and Science

Women, Power and Politics

Gender and Social Change: Frameworks of Feminism

Women and Social Reform: Liberal Feminism

Contemporary Frameworks in Feminist Theory

Comprehensive

All chapters end with Chapter Summary and Themes

Key Terms

Discussion Questions/Projects for Thought

Internet Resources; and Suggested Readings

Introduction Chapter

Studying Women: Feminist Perspectives

Why Study Women?

The Sociological Imagination

Defining Feminism

Women's Studies and the Inclusion of Women

The Significance of Gender, Race, and Class

The Growth of Men's Studies

A Sociological Framework for Thinking about Women

Gender, Culture, and Sex

The Social Construction of Gender

The Biological Basis of Sex Differences Ambiguous Sex Identities

Nature/Nurture and Sexually Dimorphic Traits Biological Determinism

The Difference Culture Makes

The Institutional Basis of Gender Socialization and the Formation the Gender

Identity Socialization across the Life Course Theoretical Perspectives on the Formation of Gender Identity

Gender, Culture and the Media

The Social Construction of Knowledge

Gender, Language and Popular Culture

Gender and the Media

The Sociology of Knowledge

Sexuality and Intimate Relationships

The Social Construction of Sexuality

The History of Sexuality in the United States

Contemporary Sexual Attitudes and Behavior

Race, Sexuality, and Power

Sexual Development over the Life Cycle

Love and Intimate Relationships

Friendship Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Experiences

Gender and Social Institutions

Gender, Work and the Economy

Historical Perspectives on Women's Work

What is Work?

Gender and Class Stratification

The Contemporary Status of Women

Poverty and Welfare

Work Environments

Intersections of Family and Work

Policies for Gender Equity

Women and Families

Historical Perspectives on Modern Families

Feminist Perspectives on Families

The Diversity of Contemporary Families

Race, Gender, and Families

Families and Social Problems

Gender, Health, and Reproduction

The Social Structure of Health

Race, Class and Health

Gender, Health, and Social Problems

The Politics of Reproduction

Gender and the Health Care System

Women and Religion

Sociological Perspectives on Religion

Religion and Social Control

Religion and the Emergence of Feminism in the United States

Women and Religiosity Women's Status in Religious Institutions

Religion and Social Justice

Women, Crime, and Deviance

Sociological Perspectives on Crime and Deviance

Defining Deviance

Labeling and Social Deviance

Deviance, Power, and Social Conflict

Feminist Pe

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