Deck 11: Gender

Question 1

Compare the labor force participation rate for women of color with that of White women. How have the rates changed over time? What impact have the changed rates had on attitudes toward gender roles?

Answer 1

The labor force participation rate for women of color has historically been lower than that of White women. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, the labor force participation rate for Black women was 61.7%, for Hispanic women it was 58.8%, and for White women it was 57.5%. These rates have fluctuated over time, but the overall trend has been an increase in participation for women of color, while the rate for White women has remained relatively stable.

The rates for women of color have increased as more opportunities for education and employment have become available, and as societal attitudes towards women in the workforce have evolved. This increase in participation has had a significant impact on attitudes toward gender roles. As more women of color have entered the workforce, traditional gender roles have been challenged and redefined. There is a greater acceptance of women working outside the home, and a recognition of the value of their contributions to the economy and society.

However, despite these positive changes, women of color still face unique challenges in the workforce, including discrimination, wage gaps, and limited access to higher-paying jobs. These disparities continue to shape attitudes toward gender roles, as they highlight the ongoing need for greater equality and opportunities for women of color in the workforce. Overall, the changing rates of labor force participation for women of color have contributed to a more inclusive and diverse understanding of gender roles, but there is still progress to be made in achieving true equality.

Question 2

Research into the biology of sex differences has found that

A) a strong correlation exists between aggressive behavior and testosterone levels.
B) changes in testosterone levels predict changes in levels of men's aggression.
C) there are minimal differences in the levels of sex hormones between boys and girls in early childhood.
D) children born with intersex conditions are inherently more aggressive than other children.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Compare and contrast the human capital theory and dual labor market theory explanations of the gender gap in wages. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Answer 3

The human capital theory and dual labor market theory offer different explanations for the gender gap in wages.

The human capital theory suggests that the gender wage gap is primarily due to differences in human capital, such as education, experience, and skills, between men and women. According to this theory, women may earn less than men because they are more likely to take time off for caregiving responsibilities, work in lower-paying industries, or choose lower-paying occupations. The strengths of this theory include its focus on individual choices and investments in education and skills, which can lead to higher wages. However, critics argue that the human capital theory overlooks systemic barriers and discrimination that may limit women's access to education and higher-paying jobs.

On the other hand, the dual labor market theory posits that the gender wage gap is a result of the segmentation of the labor market into primary and secondary sectors. Women are more likely to be concentrated in the secondary sector, which consists of low-paying, insecure, and part-time jobs. This theory emphasizes the role of discrimination and social structures in perpetuating the gender wage gap. The strengths of this theory include its recognition of systemic barriers and discrimination that contribute to the gender wage gap. However, critics argue that the dual labor market theory may oversimplify the complexities of the labor market and overlook individual choices and investments in education and skills.

In conclusion, both the human capital theory and dual labor market theory offer valuable insights into the gender gap in wages. The human capital theory highlights the importance of individual choices and investments in education and skills, while the dual labor market theory emphasizes the role of discrimination and social structures. However, both theories have their limitations and may not fully capture the complexities of the gender wage gap. It is important to consider a combination of individual choices, systemic barriers, and discrimination in addressing the gender wage gap.

Question 4

When an individual is born with both male and female biological sex characteristics, the individual has a(n) _____ condition.

A) intersex
B) fetal sex differentiation
C) sexual anomaly
D) bisexual variation

Question 5

Beth reflects on the social status differences between men and women. She thinks that if she were a man with the same education, skills, and experiences as she has now, she would, in comparison, experience

A) a gain in income, power, and social standing.
B) a loss in income, power, and social standing.
C) little change in social standing.
D) a gain of income by 50 percent.

Question 6

The United Nations estimates that the value of women's unpaid work amounts to at least

A) $800 billion.
B) $11 trillion.
C) $50 billion.
D) $140 trillion.

Question 7

Explain how homophobia influences gender socialization. Include a comparison of the differential impact on girls and boys. 

Question 8

Which of these statements about the differences between men and women is true?

A) In addition to differences in anatomy, girls at birth tend to be slightly longer and weigh more than boys.
B) Even with intensive training, women cannot win over men in activities that require high levels of physical endurance.
C) Men are more aggressive than women because of testosterone, and the elimination of testosterone virtually eliminates aggression.
D) As adults, men tend to have higher muscle mass and muscle density, which contributes to the tendency for men to be physically stronger than women.

Question 9

How do cultural norms sometimes put women at risk of being victims of violence? Illustrate your response with two examples.

Question 10

Parents tend to be more tolerant of girls who do not conform to gender roles than they are of boys.  Why is this? Support your argument with specific examples.

Question 11

What is biological determinism? What is the basic sociological response to biological determinism?

Question 12

Compare and contrast the three of the types of feminist theory discussed in the text.

Question 13

When individuals look back on their lives, _____ is/are most likely the most important influence on their gender socialization.

A) parents
B) peers
C) teachers
D) religion

Question 14

Substantial differences in the construction of gender may exist in all of the following except

A) across social classes.
B) between subcultures within a single society.
C) among different racial and ethnic groups.
D) within a single individual.

Question 15

Research on gender role socialization during childhood has found that

A) boys and men are featured in children's books more often than girls and women.
B) toys for both boys and girls today tend to promote cooperation rather than aggression or competition.
C) girls are encouraged to play outdoors as much as boys are.
D) gender is likely not formed until adolescence.

Question 16

Briefly describe the functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interaction perspectives on gender inequality. Provide examples to illustrate the accounts of each theory.

Question 17

How does human capital theory account for the gender gap in pay? Illustrate your response with examples.

Question 18

Propose a legislative change to solve one or more of the problems experienced by women in the workplace. Define the problem you are addressing, outline your solution, and explain how your solution would solve the problem.

Question 19

Evidence that gender is socially constructed includes

A) the different gender roles found in different countries.
B) the lack of gender variability generally.
C) studies that find more difference within a gender than between genders on most traits.
D) the common gender expectations across all social classes.

Question 20

In general, men and women differ physically from each other in all of the following ways except

A) men tend to have a lower resting heart rate.
B) women tend to have lower blood pressure.
C) men tend to have greater muscle density.
D) women have greater strength than men.

Question 21

How would a functionalist explain unequal wages between men and women?

A) Women experience overt discrimination.
B) Women are socialized into roles that lead them to make choices that might result in lower wages.
C) Women's work is devalued in comparison with men's.
D) Women have less power than do men.

Question 22

Sexual harassment is a form of overt discrimination that has a negative impact on women's employment. Which of these statements about sexual harassment is false?

A) Sociologists argue that men use sexual harassment as a means to protect their power in the workplace.
B) Cultural changes have resulted in men experiencing as much sexual harassment as women.
C) Women in traditionally male-dominated jobs experience the most harassment.
D) The #MeToo movement has resulted in significant consequences for men who engage in sexual harassment.

Question 23

When Bob assumes all women should have the same status and behave in the same way, his expectations about gender

A) influence only females.
B) influence only males.
C) influence both males and females.
D) positively influence males.

Question 24

Which of these is not found to be associated with relatively equal status for men and women within a society?

A) Work is highly segregated according to sex.
B) Women have access to education.
C) Women's work is central to the economy.
D) Men make a contribution to household responsibilities.

Question 25

Which of the following is not an explanation for the gender pay gap?

A) Men and women have different levels of prior experience and training.
B) Men and women tend to be employed in different types of occupations.
C) Women are discriminated against in employment and in wages.
D) Women's and men's wages are determined by biological traits.

Question 26

According to the concept of biological determinism,

A) the physiology of any person may be manipulated in order to alter that person's sex.
B) social behaviors are caused by physiological characteristics.
C) the creation of a male or female occurs as the egg and the sperm meet during human reproduction.
D) the interplay of culture and biology is what shapes human behavior.

Question 27

In what way is the gender socialization of African American and White women alike?

A) Both are more likely than men to be encouraged to be egalitarian.
B) Both are equally likely to view work as an expected part of a woman's role.
C) Socialization for both places a strong emphasis on self-sufficiency and independence.
D) Socialization for both places a premium on assertiveness and being in control.

Question 28

Ryne was labeled female at birth but now identifies as male. Ryne is most likely

A) transgender.
B) intersexual.
C) sexually differentiated.
D) pansexual.

Question 29

Gender segregation in occupations

A) is not very prevalent, although it does exist.
B) tends to be a disadvantage for men who may want to work in traditionally female occupations.
C) reinforces the belief that there are significant differences between men and women.
D) rewards the most experienced women over men.

Question 30

The condition that has generally been called hermaphroditism is now often referred to as

A) transgender.
B) intersex.
C) transsexual.
D) pansexual.

Question 31

Attitudes toward gender roles have changed so that today

A) only 10 percent of men think that one parent should stay at home while the other is working.
B) both men and women say it is not fair for men to be the sole decision maker in the household.
C) women no longer believe they will be discriminated against men in employment.
D) Both men and women agree that gender discrimination should be illegal.

Question 32

Which of these statements regarding social and physical differences between men and women is true?

A) Gender differences are the same in every culture.
B) All perceived differences between men and women are natural and biological.
C) Differences within a given gender can be greater than differences between men and women.
D) Biological makeup is more important than social influences in creating differences between men and women.

Question 33

The experiences of transgender individuals, including ridicule, physical assault, and even murder solely because of their gender identity, illustrate

A) how powerful gender norms are.
B) the strong role of biology.
C) the importance of living authentically.
D) that they were not properly socialized during childhood.

Question 34

Which of these statements about gender socialization is false?

A) Gender socialization impacts the self-concepts of both women and men.
B) Gender socialization influences the social and political attitudes of both men and women.
C) Gender socialization shapes the perceptions that men and women have about other people.
D) Gender socialization causes all members of society to conform to gender expectations of society.

Question 35

A significant difference between the functionalist and conflict theory perspectives on gender is that

A) functionalism is a macrosociological perspective, and conflict theory is a microsociological perspective.
B) conflict theory recognizes the role of gender within the social structure, and functionalism does not view gender as a significant construct.
C) conflict theory is more likely than functionalism to explore issues of race and social class as they relate to gender.
D) functionalism advocates for change, while conflict theory urges patience.

Question 36

Which statement about the primary labor market is the most accurate?

A) It is dominated by "pink-collar" jobs like child care and domestic services.
B) Many of the jobs, like corporate executive, are those most likely to be held by men.
C) The jobs typically have no associated career ladder, making promotion and advancement impossible.
D) The jobs are often temporary or seasonal and offer poor wages.

Question 37

Which of the following is true regarding gender segregation?

A) Most women work in occupations that have roughly equal numbers of male and female employees.
B) Men are concentrated in fewer occupations that women.
C) The greater the concentration of women workers in an occupation, the lower the pay.
D) Legislation has had little effect on gender segregation.

Question 38

The definition of oneself as a woman or a man is referred to as

A) gender identity.
B) sexuality.
C) sexual identity.
D) gender attribution.

Question 39

Which of the following statements is false?

A) Sex refers to biological identity, male or female.
B) Gender refers to the socially learned expectations and behaviors associated with members of each sex.
C) Gender is more important concept to sociologists than sex.
D) The key sociological question about gender roles is whether biology or culture is more important.

Question 40

Gender identity has a strong impact on how one feels about one's appearance. Studies of gender identity and body image have found that

A) among preschool children, girls have lower self-concept related to body image than boys do.
B) in early adolescence, boys compare their bodies with others of the same sex more than girls do.
C) by early adolescence, girls have lower self-esteem than boys do due to concerns about their appearance.
D) once men and women reach the stage of being in college, they are equally likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies.

Question 41

Which of these statements about patriarchy is false?

A) The term refers to a society in which men have power over women.
B) Patriarchy refers to interactions and ideology in the public sphere only.
C) Patriarchy is very common throughout the world.
D) Forms of patriarchy vary from society to society.

Question 42

Gender stratification is supported by

A) a belief that views gender inequality as natural.
B) individual sexism, not institutional sexism.
C) the matriarchal structure of American society.
D) norms and values encouraging gender equality.

Question 43

Research on the impact of peer relationships on socialization has found that

A) for boys and girls, peers reinforce age and racial norms as well as gender expectations.
B) gender norms are applied more strictly to boys than to girls.
C) homophobia serves to reinforce gender norms.
D) All of these choices are true.

Question 44

Which explanation of the gender gap in pay does the author of your text espouse?

A) Human capital is the best explanation of the wage gap.
B) Wage inequality is the result of multiple factors that operate together to put women at a disadvantage.
C) Dual labor market theory offers the best explanation for unequal wages.
D) Overt discrimination is the best explanation for the gender wage gap.

Question 45

When it comes to the impact of religion on gender expectations, all of the following are true except that

A) any religion interpreted in a fundamentalist way may be oppressive to women.
B) the most devout believers of any faith tend to have the most traditional beliefs about the proper roles for men and women.
C) Christian, Islamic, and Jewish women, along with other religious women, have often organized to resist fundamentalist and sexist practices.
D) religious faith is inherently associated with a patriarchal view of gender roles and is thus anti-egalitarian.

Question 46

Jake is an unabashed traditionalist when it comes to gender roles and is proud of it. As a result, he is more likely to

A) avoid taking risks that might put others in danger.
B) take risks that put him in danger.
C) enjoy seeing others take risks but not take risks himself.
D) avoid taking any risks that endanger himself or others.

Question 47

Which of these statements regarding the validity of the human capital theory as it applies to the pay gap is true?

A) Human capital theory is unable to explain the difference in men's and women's earnings.
B) While factors such as education and age do affect earnings, the earnings of men and women with the same levels of education and prior experience are still unequal.
C) Women earn less than men because they work fewer hours.
D) Research indicates that there is actually no difference in men's and women's wages when the type of work is taken into account.

Question 48

Which characteristic is most associated with egalitarian societies?

A) Women perform a lot of the domestic labor.
B) Women have responsibility for child care.
C) Women have access to education.
D) Work is highly segregated by sex.

Question 49

With regard to the impact that homophobia has, the author of your text argues that

A) homophobia plays little role in gender socialization.
B) there is no connection between homophobia and gender norms.
C) homophobia may have serious negative consequences for both heterosexual and homosexual men and women.
D) while homophobia has an influence on male socialization, it has no effect on the socialization of women.

Question 50

Which of these statements regarding homophobia and gender expectations is false?

A) Fear of being perceived as gay drives greater conformity to male gender norms.
B) Homophobia has the effect of discouraging feminine traits, such as gentleness and empathy, in men.
C) Men who endorse the most traditional masculine roles tend to be the most homophobic.
D) While homophobia encourages gender norm conformity, it is not likely to promote hostility toward gays and lesbians.

Question 51

The _____ labor market, in which women frequently find themselves, is characterized by high job turnover, low wages, short or nonexistent promotion ladders, and few benefits.

A) primary
B) secondary
C) tertiary
D) fringe

Question 52

Which of the following is not considered one of the central aspects of a gendered institution?

A) The personal opinions of the individual members regarding gender norms
B) Stereotypical role expectations for men and women
C) Stratification of the positions within the institution based on sex
D) Organizational structure that gives advantages to men

Question 53

According to the text, there is a price for conformity to gender norms. Which of these is not a negative consequence for men that results from conformity to gender roles?

A) Gender norms discourage intimacy with other men, affecting friendships.
B) Conformity to gender norms increases risk-taking behavior that may result in death or injury.
C) Gender norms that demand thinness have resulted in men being diagnosed with eating orders as often as women.
D) Traditional norms of aggressiveness can lead some men to act violently against women.

Question 54

Sydney asserts that if individuals could suddenly be purged of sexist ideas, attitudes, and behaviors, men and women would be equal. Is Sydney correct?

A) Yes. If individuals do not behave in sexist ways, sexism will no longer exist.
B) It would certainly help, but sexism has become embedded in the structure and ideology of social institutions, so eliminating sexist behavior is an important start but not the end of sexism.
C) No. Sexism is a biological imperative and will continually resurface even if people do not want it to.
D) Since sexist behavior and sexism are unrelated, it is unlikely that eliminating sexist behavior would have any impact on expressions of sexism.

Question 55

In practice, sexual harassment in the workplace, such as that reported as having been perpetrated by media and entertainment figures like Harvey Weinstein, Mario Batali, Matt Lauer, and Bill O'Reilly,

A) is an example of overt discrimination.
B) has no real impact on women's employment.
C) happens to men as often as it does to women.
D) is an inevitable product of men and women working together.

Question 56

Which statement about how dual labor market theory accounts for the gender pay gap is false?

A) In female-dominated occupations, it is difficult to determine cause and effect with respect to the pay discrepancy between males and females.
B) While equal pay for equal work is applied in principle, men and women do not do equal work.
C) The informal labor market is exclusively female.
D) Women tend to be employed in the second tier of the primary labor market.

Question 57

Which statement about gender socialization is the most accurate?

A) Gender socialization affects interpersonal relationships but has little other importance.
B) Gender socialization is consistent and uniform for nearly all men and women.
C) Gender socialization influences all aspects of society and daily life.
D) If parents want to, they can completely avoid all gender socialization even when their children go to school.

Question 58

Research indicates that men and women of different races have different expectations regarding gender roles. Which of these statements regarding expectations of different groups is true?

A) Hispanic men have stronger beliefs than White men that men and women should have different characteristics.
B) African American men are more likely than African American women to support feminism and egalitarian views of men and women's roles.
C) The differences between White and African American women with regard to egalitarianism have decreased as White women's labor force participation has increased.
D) African American women are socialized to be more dependent on men than are White women.

Question 59

In her research on race, gender, and eating disorders, Meg Lovejoy found that

A) Black women are less likely than White women to engage in excessive dieting and are less fearful of fat.
B) White women are much more satisfied with their bodies than originally thought.
C) both Black and White women tend to overestimate their weight.
D) Black women do not suffer from eating disorders such as overeating.

Question 60

Until recently, matriarchal societies have not been widely noted or discussed in the social sciences. Which of the following explains this?

A) Sociologists agree that matriarchal societies have never existed.
B) Matriarchal societies existed prior to Christianity, but there are no contemporary matriarchal societies.
C) The identification of matriarchal societies has been obscured by the application of Western ideas about power.
D) There is no interest in matriarchal power within the social sciences.

Question 61

Terry asserts that men effectively control women's reproductive health because men control the institutions that make laws and set policies regarding women's reproductive health. Terry's views are most consistent with those of _____ feminism.

A) liberal
B) socialist
C) radical
D) multiracial

Question 62

Gender stratification is now limited largely to traditional societies.

Question 63

Cross-cultural differences in gender roles demonstrate that gender is a social construction.

Question 64

Research indicates that boys get more attention in schools than girls, even if it is sometimes negative attention.

Question 65

Which type of feminism asserts that gender is not a singular or uniform experience but rather intersects with race and class in shaping the experience of women and men?

A) Socialist feminism
B) Multiracial feminism
C) Gendered institutions
D) "Doing gender"

Question 66

One of the contentions of the #MeToo movement is that men use sexual harassment in the workplace as a means of controlling women and their career opportunities and of asserting their power. Which type of feminism is most likely to view sexual harassment as a mechanism that men use to assert their power?

A) Liberal
B) Multiracial
C) Socialist
D) Radical

Question 67

Homophobia plays an important role in gender socialization because it encourages stricter conformity to traditional expectations, especially for men and young boys.

Question 68

The Minangkabau society in Indonesia is one in which women hold economic and social power. The Minangkabau is an example of a(n) _____ society.

A) patriarchal
B) matriarchal
C) sexist
D) apartheid

Question 69

As of 2016, _____percent of women were in the paid labor force compared with _____ percent of men.

A) 77; 40
B) 54; 66
C) 40; 90
D) 72; 60

Question 70

Gender expectations vary according to racial-ethnic group and social class and across cultures.

Question 71

From a _____ perspective, men's ability to both benefit from and devalue women's work stems from the power that men hold in society.

A) symbolic interactionist
B) conflict
C) functionalist
D) social exchange

Question 72

Jewish, Christian, and Islamic women, along with other religious women, have organized to resist fundamentalist and sexist practices within their faiths.

Question 73

Children's books are the one area within which gender roles have become very equal or disappeared.

Question 74

The mass media lead in breaking down gender stereotypes.

Question 75

Although the specifics may differ from culture to culture, virtually everyone experiences gender socialization.

Question 76

Patriarchy and sexism are problematic only in developing countries.

Question 77

People's attitudes about gender expectations often do not match their behavior.

Question 78

Even when both husbands and wives are employed outside of the home, the bulk of the domestic responsibilities fall on women. The sociological term for this is

A) the dual labor market since women work at their paid jobs and at home.
B) gender segregation because tasks that are stereotypically female and those that are stereotypically male are distinct.
C) the second shift since women still have housework to complete after their paid jobs.
D) familial inequity since women typically bear a disproportionate burden of tasks from which the entire family benefits.

Question 79

Which of these statements regarding the second shift is true?

A) Most women report that they find doing the majority of the domestic work to be emotionally gratifying.
B) Younger generations have found institutions to be remarkably flexible in accommodating work and family balance.
C) As the demographic structure of the United States has shifted, women have become more likely to care not just for children but for aging parents as well.
D) Women who must balance work and family demands do not find it stressful since they have grown up with the expectation that they would do so.

Question 80

Gender identity is imposed by society and categorizes individuals as male or female.