Women In American Society: An Introduction to Women's Studies

by Sapiro, Virginia

• ISBN13: 9780767416399
• ISBN10: 0767416392
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-14
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education

Summary

This interdisciplinary social science introduction to women's studies textbook (not a reader) provides a comprehensive investigation of the effects of gender on women's lives the United States. The text integrates the latest scholarship and research from a wide variety of disciplines including sociology, psychology, political science, education, history, economics, law, mass communications, and the health sciences.

Author Biography

VIRGINIA SAPIRO is the Sophonisba P. Breckinridge Professor of Political Science and Women's Studies at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where she has taught for more than 25 years. She has received numerous awards for her research in political psychology, gender politics, feminist theory, and women's studies, and has served on the editorial boards of many journals. She has written or edited three books in addition to this one, as well as more than 35 scholarly articles. She teaches a wide range of courses in women's studies, including Women, Social Institutions, and Social Change; Women and Leadership; Feminist Theory; and Women and Politics.

Table of Contents

Preface	xix
Scope and Approach	xx
The United States in Comparative and International Perspective	xx
Women's Studies from a Social Science Perspective	xxi
Methodology and the Process of Research and Interpretation	xxi
Historical Understanding	xxii
An Interdisciplinary Approach	xxii
Diversity among Women	xxiii
What Lies Ahead?	xxiii
Organization: General Approach	xxiii
Organization: The Flow	xxiv
Revisions	xxvi
Study Aids	xxvii
Acknowledgments	xxvii
PART ONE Developing Frameworks for the Study of Gender and Society
Reflect Before You Read	2	(1)
Introducing Women's Studies	3	(27)
Representing Women	3	(3)
Knowledge and the Representation of Women	6	(1)
Women's Studies as a Field of Study	7	(3)
Understanding Gender and Gender Differences	10	(1)
When and Why Are Gender Differences Interesting?	11	(1)
What Is the Connection between Difference and Inequality	11	(4)
When Is a Difference Really a Difference?	15	(3)
Social Science Methods of Studying Women and Gender	18	(1)
Social Science as Systematic Observation	18	(1)
Methods Women's Studies Researchers Use	19	(8)
Ethnography	19	(2)
Experiments	21	(1)
Survey Research	22	(1)
Depth Interviewing	23	(1)
Event or Institutional Case Studies	24	(1)
Archival Research	25	(1)
Content Analysis	25	(1)
Meta-Analysis	25	(1)
Summary	26	(1)
Conclusion	27	(1)
Notes	27	(1)
For Further Reading	28	(1)
Study Questions	29	(1)
Societal-Level Approaches to Understanding Women's Lives	30	(47)
U.S. Women in Global Perspective	31	(1)
Literacy and Education	31	(4)
Marriage and Reproduction	35	(6)
Work and Economic Life	41	(3)
Women and the State	44	(2)
Women and Political Power	44	(2)
Policies Affecting Women	46	(3)
Cross-National Comparative Perspectives: Conclusions	49	(1)
Explaining Women's Situation at the Societal Level: Six Theoretical Approaches	50	(1)
The Eternal Feminine: Traditional Theological Perspectives	51	(1)
Natural Woman and Man: From Traditional Science to Complex Systems	52	(6)
The Genetic Basis of Sex	53	(1)
The Role of Hormones	54	(1)
The Structure of the Brain	55	(1)
From Sex to Gender	56	(1)
Social Structures of Gender: Sex/Gender Systems	57	(1)
The Inevitable Progress of Enlightenment and Modernization	58	(4)
Foundations of Liberalism	58	(2)
Liberalism and Women	60	(2)
Natural History and Evolution	62	(3)
Foundations of Evolutionary Theory	62	(1)
Early Feminist Critiques	63	(1)
Current Views of Evolution and Sexual Differentiation	64	(1)
More Natural History: Economic and Historical-Materialist Theories	65	(4)
Marxist Foundations	65	(1)
Marxism and Women	66	(1)
Contemporary Economic and Materialist Theories	67	(2)
Power Struggles: Dominance and Self-Determination	69	(4)
Freud and the War between the Sexes	69	(1)
Societal Stress and Cultural Strain	70	(2)
Anti-Feminist Sex-War Theory	72	(1)
Evaluating Power-Struggle Theories	73	(1)
Toward Understanding Development and Change in Sex/Gender Systems	73	(1)
Notes	74	(1)
For Further Reading	74	(1)
Study Questions	75	(2)
Individual-Level Approaches to Understanding Women's Lives	77	(35)
What Difference Does a Person's Gender Make?	78	(1)
Masculinity, Femininity, and Character	79	(3)
Cognitive Traits, Personality, Values, and Interaction Styles	82	(5)
Cognitive Traits and Skills	82	(2)
Personality	84	(1)
Attitudes and Values	85	(1)
Social Interaction and Communication Styles	86	(1)
Summary of Psychological Differences	87	(1)
Stereotypes: The Importance of Person Perception	87	(1)
Explaining Women's Situation at the Individual Level: Five Approaches	88	(1)
The Biological Basis of Female and Male	89	(1)
Psychoanalytical Theory: The Creation of Femininity and Masculinity	90	(6)
Sex Similarity	90	(1)
The Development of Difference	91	(2)
Evaluating the Psychoanalytic Perspective	93	(3)
Cognitive-Developmental Theories	96	(4)
Becoming Girls and Boy	97	(1)
Gender and Moral Development	98	(2)
Evaluating Cognitive-Developmental Theory	100	(1)
Learning Theories	100	(4)
The Development of Difference	100	(2)
Gender Learning after Childhood	102	(1)
The Complexity of Learning	103	(1)
A Summary of Learning Theories	103	(1)
Synthesizing Cognition and Learning: Gender-Schema Theory	104	(2)
Institutional Theories and Discrimination	106	(3)
Individual Development and Social Change	109	(1)
Notes	110	(1)
For Further Reading	110	(1)
Study Questions	110	(2)
Commonality and Difference among Women	112	(29)
Why Not Just Gender?	113	(1)
Recognizing Difference	113	(2)
The Differential Impact of Sex/Gender Systems	115	(1)
The View from the Dominant System	116	(4)
The View from Different Groups of Women	120	(1)
Untangling Oppressions	121	(1)
The Parallel Model	122	(1)
The Distinct-Components Model	122	(2)
The Complex Model	124	(1)
Hierarchies of Oppression	124	(1)
Exemplifying Complexity: Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Violence	125	(3)
Sketches in Differences	128	(1)
Age	128	(2)
Class	130	(1)
Race and Ethnicity	131	(2)
Geography and Culture	133	(1)
Conclusion: Learning from Difference	134	(1)
Notes	135	(1)
For Further Reading	136	(1)
Study Questions	137	(2)
PART TWO Gender-Defining Institutions
Reflect Before You Read	139	(2)
Education: Learning to Be Male and Female	141	(31)
Historical Perspectives on Women's Education	141	(1)
Early Efforts	141	(2)
Expanding Access	143	(1)
Increasing Leadership Roles	144	(4)
Achieving Higher Education	148	(1)
Women's Education Today	149	(1)
How Much Education?	150	(4)
What Did You Learn in School Today?	154	(6)
Segregation and Schooling	160	(3)
Women as Educators	163	(4)
Education and the Future	167	(1)
The Question of Choice	167	(1)
Education for What?	168	(1)
Education for and about Women	168	(2)
Notes	170	(1)
For Further Heading	170	(1)
Study Questions	171	(1)
Normal Gender: Health, Fitness, and Beauty	172	(44)
Traditional Gender-Based Norms in Defining Women's Health	174	(1)
Anatomy and Health	174	(5)
Uterus	174	(1)
Ovaries	175	(1)
Clitoris	175	(1)
Breasts	176	(2)
Summary: More Than the Sum of the Parts	178	(1)
Reproductive Health	179	(5)
Menstruation	179	(2)
Pregnancy and Childbirth	181	(3)
Gender Norms and the Organization of Health Care Research and Practice	184	(1)
The American Health Care System	184	(1)
Sexism in Health Care	185	(2)
Clinical Trials	187	(1)
Health and the New Sex-Based Biology	188	(1)
Health in Women's Everyday Life	189	(1)
Healthy Families?	190	(1)
Work and Health	191	(4)
Employment, the Double Burden, and Health	191	(2)
Protection against Dangerous Occupations	193	(1)
Health Implications of Workplace Discrimination and Harassment	194	(1)
Beauty, Fitness, and Health	195	(9)
The Ideal Size and Shape: Hourglass, California Girl, or Heroin Chic?	195	(2)
Weight	197	(4)
Exercise	201	(1)
Skin Color	202	(1)
Summary: What's Wrong with Beauty?	203	(1)
Women's Roles in Shaping Health Care	204	(1)
Healers, Doctors, and Other Health Care Professionals	205	(3)
Health Care Activists	208	(2)
Mothers and Daughters as Health Care Providers	210	(1)
The Influence of Women as Health Care Consumers	211	(1)
Broadening the Concept of Health	212	(1)
Notes	213	(1)
For Further Reading	214	(1)
Study Questions	215	(1)
Women and Religion	216	(28)
Some Notes on Religion in American Society	217	(1)
Religious Teachings about Women and Gender	218	(1)
God Talk: Is It Male?	219	(1)
Separate and Unequal Spheres	220	(5)
Morality, Sexuality, and Gender	225	(3)
Feminist Alternatives and the Women's Spirituality Movement	228	(2)
Women's Religious Activities and Influences	230	(1)
Everyday Life as Religious Activity	231	(2)
Women's Religious Service Outside the Home	233	(2)
Women as Religious Authorities and Leaders	235	(4)
Religion and Society	239	(2)
Notes	241	(1)
For Further Reading	242	(1)
Study Questions	243	(1)
Gender and the Institutional Media of Communication	244	(41)
The Mass Media: Women in the News	245	(1)
Print Media	245	(6)
Early History	245	(3)
The 20th Century	248	(3)
Electronic Media	251	(5)
Radio	251	(1)
Television	252	(3)
The Internet	255	(1)
The Mass Media: Images and Impact	256	(1)
The Production of Gender in the Mass Media	256	(11)
Television	256	(4)
Magazines	260	(3)
Newspapers	263	(3)
Representations of Women in the Media: Change	266	(1)
The Impact of the Mass Media	267	(1)
The Commercial Media	268	(1)
History of Gender and Advertising	268	(1)
The Commercial Media Today Images and Impact	268	(4)
The Cultural and Artistic Media	272	(1)
Women and the Production of Art	272	(5)
Gender and Sexuality as Subjects of Art	277	(4)
Media of Change?	281	(1)
Notes	282	(1)
For Further Reading	283	(1)
Study Questions	284	(1)
Law and Policy, Government, and the State	285	(39)
Gender Norms in Government, Law, and Public Policy	285	(1)
Protection of Rights	286	(5)
Founding Ideas	287	(1)
Early Judicial Interpretations	288	(1)
Legislative Changes in Women's Rights, 1840--1960	289	(1)
The Late Twentieth Century	290	(1)
Fulfillment of Obligations	291	(7)
Taxation	291	(1)
Jury Duty	291	(1)
Military Service	292	(6)
Summary: Citizens' Rights and Obligations	298	(1)
Women's Policy Issues	298	(3)
Women, Crime, and Justice	301	(1)
Gender and Criminal Victimization	302	(2)
Women as Criminals	304	(6)
Prostitution	307	(1)
Homicide and Murder	308	(1)
Women in the Criminal Justice System	309	(1)
Women's Political Participation and Influence	310	(1)
Gender in Electoral Politics	310	(5)
Mass Electoral Participation	310	(1)
Women as Candidates for Office	311	(2)
Gender, Public Opinion and Partisanship	313	(2)
Nonelectoral Citizen Politics	315	(1)
International Politics and Policy	316	(2)
Women, Politics, and Democracy	318	(1)
Notes	318	(2)
For Further Reading	320	(1)
Study Questions	320	(3)
PART THREE Choice and Control in Personal Life, the Family, and Work
Reflect Before You Read	323	(1)
Gender, Communication, and Self Expression	324	(30)
Some General Observations on Language and Communication	324	(1)
Referring to Women, Men, and People	325	(1)
Gender-Specific Terms	326	(6)
Gender-Neutral Terms	332	(1)
Autonomy and Control in Communication	333	(1)
Male and Female Language	333	(3)
The Right-of Way: Gender and Status	336	(9)
Right-of Way in Space	337	(4)
Right-of Way in Conversation	341	(1)
The Right-of Way: Gender and Power	342	(3)
Strategies of Power and Influence	345	(4)
Future Options	349	(3)
Notes	352	(1)
For Further Reading	352	(1)
Study Questions	353	(1)
Personal and Sexual Relationships in Adulthood	354	(31)
Gender and Personal Relationships	355	(1)
Of Hunting Bands and Mothers	355	(1)
Friendship and Personal Networks	356	(2)
Sexuality and Sexual Relationships	358	(1)
Defining Sexual Relationships	358	(2)
Sexual Identity	360	(2)
Sexual Orientation	362	(8)
Gender and Sexual Orientation	362	(2)
Defining Sexual Orientation and Its Sources	364	(4)
Homophobia and Heterosexual Privilege	368	(2)
Sexuality, Love, and Power	370	(4)
Marriage: Family, Property, and State	374	(1)
The Marriage Contract	374	(1)
Names and Places	375	(1)
Rights and Obligations	376	(1)
Property	377	(1)
We State's View of Marriage	378	(1)
Marriage, Gender, and Day-to-Day Life	379	(1)
Divorce	380	(1)
The Law on ``Living in Sin''	381	(1)
Politics of Personal Life	382	(1)
Notes	383	(1)
For Further Reading	383	(1)
Study Questions	384	(1)
Consenting Adults? Gender-based Violence and Coercion	385	(27)
What Are Gender-Based Violence and Coercion?	388	(1)
Intimate Partner Violence	389	(1)
The Prevalence and Causes of Intimate Partner Violence	389	(3)
Intervention and Response: The Health Care and Justice Systems	392	(2)
A Sexual Right-of Way	394	(2)
Sexual Harassment	396	(1)
Public Harassment	397	(1)
Sexual Harassment and the Law	398	(2)
Causes and Dynamics of Harassment	400	(1)
Rape and Sexual Assault	401	(1)
Patterns of Sexual Assault	402	(4)
Sexual Assault and the Justice System	406	(2)
Conclusions: Gender-based Violence against Women	408	(1)
Notes	409	(1)
For Further Reading	409	(1)
Study Questions	410	(2)
Reproduction, Parenthood, and Child Care	412	(41)
To Be or Not to Be a Parent	414	(1)
Reproduction and Choice	415	(4)
Contraception	419	(4)
Abortion: Legal History	423	(5)
Early History Increasing Restriction	424	(1)
The Granting of Right Roe v. Wade	424	(4)
Abortion Politics and the Current Situation	428	(4)
Parenthood	432	(1)
Becoming Mothers and Fathers	432	(3)
Mothering and Fathering	435	(3)
Single and Separated Parents	438	(3)
When a Marriage Breaks Up	438	(2)
Single Parenthood	440	(1)
A Case Study of African American Families	441	(4)
Parents without Children	445	(1)
Beyond the Family: Who Cares for Children?	446	(4)
Notes	450	(1)
For Further Reading	450	(1)
Study Questions	451	(2)
Work, Employment, and the Economics of Gender	453	(49)
Making a Living versus Making a Home: Defining Differences	455	(1)
The Rise and Fall of Homemaking	455	(3)
The Political Economy of Homemaking	458	(6)
Problems of Definition: Housework as Work	459	(1)
Economic Functions of Homemaking	460	(4)
Making a Living versus Making a Home: Choices	464	(1)
Women's Employment: Historical and Aggregate Views	465	(4)
Women's Work through Their Life Course	469	(7)
Childhood and Adolescence	469	(1)
Early and Middle Adulthood	470	(6)
Later Adulthood	476	(1)
Making a Living versus Making a Home: Conclusion	476	(1)
Gender Divisions of Labor in Employment	477	(1)
What Is the Difference between Women's and Men's Work? Horizontal Segregation	477	(6)
What Is the Difference between Women's and Men's Work? Vertical Segregation	483	(2)
Employment Discrimination: Patterns and Remedies	485	(6)
Income, Worth, and Poverty	491	(1)
Women's Pay	491	(3)
Other Means of Support: Social Welfare	494	(2)
Organization of Women in the Workforce	496	(1)
Conclusion: Women's Work	497	(1)
Notes	498	(1)
For Further Reading	499	(1)
Study Questions	499	(2)
PART FOUR Feminism and the Global Context
Reflect Before You Read	501	(1)
Feminism and the Future	502
The Development of Feminism and Women's Movements in the United States	504	(1)
Social-Movement Theory	504	(3)
Before the Civil War	507	(4)
Fifty Years and More: From Civil War to Suffrage	511	(7)
The Quiet Time: From Suffrage to Presidential Commissions	518	(3)
The Rebirth of Feminism: Emma Said It in 1910/ Now We're Going to Say It Again	521	(4)
Feminism and the Women's Movement Today	525	(1)
Current Issues	525	(2)
Toward a Multicultural and Global Feminism	527	(5)
Multicultural Feminism	527	(3)
Global Feminism	530	(2)
Opponents to Feminism	532	(3)
Feminism and the Future	535	(1)
Notes	536	(1)
For Further Reading	536	(2)
Study Questions	538
References	1	(1)
Credits	1	(1)
Name Index	1	(1)
Subject Index	1