Thinking About Women: Sociological Perspectives on Sex and Gender

by Andersen, Margaret L.

• ISBN13: 9780205363605
• ISBN10: 0205363601
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

Provides a comprehensive review of feminist scholarship in the social sciences, showing how the experiences of both men and women are created through social institutions.

Table of Contents

All chapters conclude with “Summary,” “Key Terms,” “Discussion Questions/Projects for Thought,” “Internet Resources,” and “Suggested Readings.”

Preface.

About the Author.

I. Introduction.

1. Studying Women: Feminist Perspectives.
The Sociological Imagination.
Defining Feminism.
Women's Studies and the Inclusion of Women.
The Sociological Framework for Thinking about Women.

II. Gender, Culture, and Sex.

2. The Social Construction of Gender.
The Biological Basis of Sex Differences.
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.

3. Gender and Culture: The Social Construction of Knowledge.
Gender, Language and Popular Culture.
Gendered Images in the Media.
The Sociology of Knowledge.

4. 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.

III. Gender and Social Institutions.

5. 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.

6. Women and Families.
Historical Perspectives on Modern Families.
Feminist Perspectives on Families.
The Diversity of Contemporary Households.
Race, Gender, and Families.
Families and Social Problems.

7. Gender, Health, and Reproduction.
The Social Structure of Health.
Women, Work, and Health.
Gender, Health, and Social Problems.
The Politics of Reproduction.
Gender and the Health Care System.

8. 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 Change.

9. Women, Crime and Deviance.
Origins of Deviance Theory.
Sociological Perspectives on Crime and Deviance.
Women as Criminals.
Women as Victims of Crime.
Women in the Criminal Justice System.

10. Women, Power, and Politics.
Defining Power.
Women and the State.
Women and the Law.
Women in Government.
Women and the Military.
Rethinking the Political.
The Women's Movement.

11. Gender, Education, and Science.
Women and the History of Education.
Gender and Educational Success.
Women in Higher Education.
Gender, Science, and Society.

IV. Gender and Social Change: Frameworks of Feminism.

12. Women and Social Reform: Liberal Feminism.
Frameworks of Feminism.
The Liberal Basis of Modern Feminism.
Liberalism as a Mode of Social Thought.
Early Liberal Feminists.
The Critique of Liberal Feminism.

13. Contemporary Frameworks in Feminist Theory.
The Radical Origins of Feminist Theory: The Critique of Liberal Feminism.
Historical Roots of Radical Feminisms.
Socialist Feminism: The Importance of Class and Capitalism.
Radical Feminism: The Power of Patriarchy.
Multiracial Feminism.
Postmodernist Feminism.
Sexualities and Queer Theory.
Continuing Questions for Feminist Theory.

Glossary.

Bibliography.

Name Index.

Subject Index.