Question 1

In a short paragraph discuss Talcott Parsons's view of the family. Do you agree with his analysis? Why or why not? Please explain.

Accepted Answer

To answer this question, students must first present Parsons's perspective on the family, then discuss the criticisms. In Parsons's view, the family operates most efficiently with a clear-cut sexual division of labor in which females act in expressive roles, providing care and security to children and offering them emotional support, and men perform instrumental roles-namely, being the breadwinner in the family. This complementary division of labor, springing from a biological distinction between the sexes, would ensure the solidarity of the family. Feminists argue that women are not prevented from pursuing occupations on the basis of any biological features; rather, humans are socialized into roles that are culturally expected of them. Also, there is no basis to the belief that the expressive female is necessary for the smooth operation of the family; rather, it is a role that is promoted largely for the convenience of men. In addition, cross-cultural and historical studies show that the degree to which societies differentiate tasks as exclusively male or female can vary greatly across time and place. Thus, gender inequalities do not seem to be fixed or static.

Question 2

A sociological perspective that emphasizes the centrality of gender in analyzing the social world and particularly the uniqueness of women is known as:

Accepted Answer

A)   feminist theory.
B)   liberal theory.
C)   queer theory.
D)   postmodern theory. A

Question 3

Karen made an unwanted sexual advance on her date Sarah, persisting even though it was clear that Sarah was resistant. How would sociologists characterize this interaction?

Accepted Answer

A)   matriarchy
B)   gender typing
C)   sexual harassment
D)   gender profiling C

Question 4

Which of the following statements best explains the role of biology in describing the behavior patterns of men and women?

Accepted Answer

A)   Nearly a century of research fails to identify the physiological and biological origins of the behavior patterns of men and women.
B)   There is abundant evidence that supports the biological origins of behavior patterns in men and women.
C)   The biological evidence shows that gender is the single most important factor in determining an individual's behavior patterns.
D)   The biological evidence shows that social interaction has little to do with shaping the behavior patterns of men and women.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of "doing gender"?

Accepted Answer

A)   going through puberty
B)   choosing to wear a dress
C)   getting a spray tan
D)   taking medication for a headache

Question 6

Why did Columbia University student Emma Sulkowicz carry her mattress around with her across campus?

Accepted Answer

A)   She was calling attention to the crisis of rape on campus.
B)   Her mattress revealed the unsanitary living conditions of female students.
C)   She was demonstrating the power of white privilege.
D)   Her strength showed the potential of female bodybuilding.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of aggression that is consistent with female gender role socialization?

Accepted Answer

A)   headlocks
B)   perpetuating malicious gossip
C)   threatening gun violence
D)   fist fighting

Question 8

How do gender, marital status, and parental status interact in time spent doing housework? Answer in two to five sentences.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do gender, marital status, and parental...

Question 9

Researchers have found that boys are responded to positively when they act in masculine ways, but when they act in feminine ways, they are either admonished or ignored. This finding provides the most support for which approach to gender?

Accepted Answer

A)   the biological approach
B)   the gender socialization approach
C)   the economic reductionist approach
D)   the social position approach

Question 10

What is a criticism of the functionalist approach to the family expressed by sociologist Talcott Parsons?

Accepted Answer

A)   The approach condones the subordination of women.
B)   Families have to be supportive to socialize children successfully.
C)   The approach promulgates a Marxist view of the social world.
D)   The allocation of tasks in society is natural and inevitable.

Question 11

Some critics argue that women are not fit to be in leadership positions because of their gender. Which perspective are these critics exemplifying?

Accepted Answer

A)   biological essentialism
B)   intersectionality
C)   liberal feminism
D)   gender socialization

Question 12

Answer the following questions in a short paragraph. In what ways are boys and girls treated differently at school? What are some consequences of this differential treatment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Answer the following questions in a short...

Question 13

How does the idea of "doing gender" differ from biological essentialism?

Accepted Answer

A)   Doing gender focuses on how gender is a role that people perform, while biological essentialism sees gender as innate.
B)   Biological essentialism is more intersectional than "doing gender."
C)   Radical feminists prefer "doing gender" while liberal feminists prefer biological essentialism.
D)   Biological essentialism sees gender as changing across time and space; "doing gender" stays the same.

Question 14

Which feminist would most likely advocate for the overthrowing of the patriarchal order?

Accepted Answer

A)   Jacqui, a liberal feminist
B)   Loren, a radical feminist
C)   Pathi, a symbolic interactionist
D)   Shawna, a Parsonian functionalist

Question 15

Which perspective argues that gender inequality is the result of male domination in all aspects of social and economic life?

Accepted Answer

A)   liberal feminism
B)   radical feminism
C)   black feminism
D)   Parsonian functionalism

Question 16

According to your textbook, why are sociologists interested in understanding gender from an intersectional perspective?

Accepted Answer

A)   Sociologists understand that gender does not shape everyone's experiences.
B)   Intersectional research tends to receive more funding.
C)   Women of color are more interesting research subjects.
D)   Sociologists recognize that gender alone does not shape our experiences.

Question 17

Which strategy would liberal feminists encourage?

Accepted Answer

A)   the abolition of marriage
B)   a revolution against capitalist economies
C)   abolish affirmative action policies
D)   institute family-friendly policies in the workplace

Question 18

Six of the ten richest self-made women in the world are:

Accepted Answer

A)   American.
B)   Chinese.
C)   German.
D)   Indian.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of quid pro quo sexual harassment?

Accepted Answer

A)   sexual language, usually by managers or supervisors
B)   lewd posters posted around the office
C)   sexual advances that make a worker uncomfortable
D)   a supervisor demanding sexual acts from a worker as a job condition

Question 20

Using the !Kung of the Kalahari Desert, the bacha posh in Afghanistan, and the nádleehí in Navajo culture as support, discuss in a short paragraph how gender can be seen as a social construction.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using the !Kung of the Kalahari Desert,...

Exam 9: Gender Inequality