The purpose of this essay is to describe four studies relating to gender each from a different perspective; functionalist, radical feminist, liberal feminist and Marxist feminist

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The purpose of this essay is to describe four studies relating to gender each from a different perspective; functionalist, radical feminist, liberal feminist and Marxist feminist. Anna Pollert’s study on working class women’s factory experiences from a Marxist feminist perspective and Dobash and Dobash’s study of the phenomenon of marital violence against women from the radical feminist perspective will be evaluated. The constraints of all four studies also will be detailed with the intent to discover the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective. Gender is contentious area of study and as such there are various competing theories, which attempt to extract the true essence of its meaning.  When evaluating these theories, it is important to recognise that a collection of all four theories can be used together to gain an insight and understanding into gender.

Gender can be described as the designated role allocated to males or females at birth in which, dependent on the sex of an individual and their culture, the individuals are expected to conform to. The expected roles of males and females differ from culture to culture. Gender is culturally learned behaviour and therefore culturally relative.

A common sense assumption is that an individual’s biological sex is intrinsic to that of their gender. However, some sociologists now base their analysis of sex and gender, on the supposition that there are distinct differences between the two. The sex of most individuals can be determined by the biological differences between the male and the female – physical characteristics such as chromosomes, hormones and genitals – which will categorise them accordingly.  These characteristics are often mistaken to pre-determine the gender of an individual - the extent, to which these genetic characteristics actually influence an individual’s behaviour, is unclear. Therefore, gender should not necessarily be predicted by the sex of an individual, as this could be a stereotypical assessment. (Moore, 2001, page 27)

Some sociologists would consider socialisation to be a significant factor in contributing to an individual’s gender. This process is known as gender role socialisation, which usually occurs throughout childhood and adolescence. (Moore, 2001, page 27)

For example, in the UK, it is possible to assume that a pregnant woman, who is aware of the sex of her unborn baby, will choose from either the blue or the pink section of clothes. Blue being the traditional colour for boys and pink being the accepted colour for girls. The expectant mother will also choose either dresses for girls or dungarees for boys. Thus there are distinct differences in the way in which a child will be treated in accordance to their sex even before they are born. This example could be considered insignificant, however, this is merely the start of a long socialisation process, which illustrates to the child what role is expected from him or her throughout life. Given that usually the child’s parents will have already established his/her gender, it is therefore difficult to extract the true nature of any individual. This process continues throughout generations in accordance to the expectations within society. The changes in society with regards to the roles of males and females have also evolved through time. Western society now expects a father to be present at the birth of his child – this was un-common until the1980s.  

Margaret Mead’s discovery in 1935, exposed that gender can be culturally relative. Mead’s work in New Guinea, was concentrated on three tribes; the Arapesh, the Mundugumor and the Tchambuli. Within the Arapesh, Mead noted that both women and men acted in a traditionally “feminine” way. The Mundugumor tribe exemplified signs of traditional “masculine” behaviour extended from both male and female members. However, most interestingly within the Tchambuli, it was the women who took on the dominant role within the tribe – displaying behaviour in direct opposition to their supposedly natural expressive, nurturing role. (Sociology B handout)

George Murdock in 1949 suggested that the division of labour between sexes is based on mere practicality, pre-determined by the biological make-up of males and females. He described the sexual division of labour as the most obvious and pragmatic way to divide the tasks among society. The allocation of each task therefore dependant on who is most biologically suited. Women are appropriately situated at home with the children because of their childbearing ability and men are best suited to hard work because of their physical strength. (Haralambos, 2000, page 131)

The functionalist perspective suggests that the traditional roles of men and women are the most conducive to the smooth operation of society. Functionalists have taken Murdock’s biological explanation, for the division of labour, as the fundamental principles from which to base their analysis of ‘sex roles’ – and have suggested that these traditional roles are allocated as a result of the natural characteristics of men (physical strength) and women (child bearers). As a result of these characteristics and the long-standing tradition of conforming to these roles – they have been accepted by males and females within society as natural.  (Theoretical Perspectives handout)

Functionalist Talcott Parsons in his 1949 study “The Family: Its Function and Destiny” indicated that sex roles have developed appropriately for the efficient functioning and preservation of society. As such, he suggested that male and female members should have clearly defined roles for each sex to perform. (Parsons, 1949 pages 189-201)

Parsons indicated that the most predominant need for segregation of sex roles is illustrated in the occupational system. The capitalist occupational system is an institution based on pressure and competition, which requires some qualities that are in direct opposition to the inherent human motivations. As such, to ensure the smooth operation and survival of commerce, there must be strict discipline extended from all individuals working within the occupational system. Repercussions for non-conformity within the work place can be formal or informal and apply universally for those who do not obey the basic rules of industry. These basic work ethics are reiterated throughout the generations. As such the occupational environment is best suited to the adult male, as it requires qualities associated with his gender –the male employee being more functionally viable. (Parsons, 1949 pages 189-201)

For Parsons, the occupational system and the family differ greatly in their requirements. Performance within industry must be invariant and consistent, however, in opposition the family induces the need for practical diversity in roles. This versatility is only acceptable if it does not encroach on the males more important responsibilities. For example, if the family has a newborn child, the ‘ late night feeds’ would typically be the mothers responsibility, as involvement in this task could effect the fathers performance at work. For functionalists, the family serves the needs of society and as a result of the male playing a significant role in industry – which maintains society – his employment responsibilities should therefore not be interfered with. This also refers to the extended family for which the male is not responsible. Parsons indicates that obligations to extended family, out with the nuclear family, disrupts the freedom of career mobility and reliability – which in turn affects society. (The development of the Modern family Handout)

The occupational system is impersonal which is in contrast to that of the family, which is based on love and close reciprocated affection. Parsons suggests that in order for these institutions to maintain a significant level of compatibility, there must be clear divisions between the two. In order to achieve this balance – it is typically and preferably the adult male member who is allocated the responsibility of entering the competitive occupational system and supporting the family, as it is the adult male who possesses the qualities needed to survive and excel in such an environment. However, emotional support is needed by the male in order to effectively perform in the occupational system - this is support is extended by the female. (Parsons, 1949 pages 189-201)

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For Parsons, the principal purpose for this division of roles can be regarded as an essential element of maintaining society. He separated the complementary qualities of the male and the female and distinguished that: the female role is expressive and the male role is instrumental. (Haralambos, 2000, page 132)

This female expressive role provides affection and emotional support to all within the nuclear family, this contributes to the stabilisation of adult mental well-being and the socialisation of children into their expected gender roles, thus producing a predominantly male workforce and the next generation of competent mothers. The female ...

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