Gender Roles: A Sociological Perspective (3rd Edition) - Softcover

Lindsey, Linda L.

3.59

69 ratings by Goodreads

9780135336212: Gender Roles: A Sociological Perspective (3rd Edition)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 013533621X ISBN 13: 9780135336212

Publisher: IFFYPrentice Hall, 1996

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This clearly written book introduces readers to both the discipline of sociology and to the specific area of gender roles at the same time. Focusing on the most recent research, both in the U.S. and globally, it provides an in-depth, multidisciplinary survey of both modern gender roles and issues. This book explains basic sociological concepts and theories. By providing a global/cross-cultural focus, it shows how gender issues are global issues which impact people at ALL levels. Emphasizes multicultural diversity in the U.S., highlighting the latest research linking gender to race, class, and age with a focus on mid-life and older women. Integrates insights from other disciplines- e.g., biology, psychology, and history- as they have influenced thinking on gender roles and the creation of beliefs about women and men, masculinity and femininity. Features a chapter on women, work, and the workplace. For people interested in sociology and women's issues.

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From the Publisher:

This clearly written text introduces students to both the discipline of sociology and to the specific area of gender roles at the same time. Focusing on the most recent research -- both in the U.S. and globally -- it provides an in-depth, multidisciplinary survey of both modern gender roles and issues.

Interest in gender related topics continues to expand rapidly in all disciplines and sociology is no exception. This interest has led to such an explosion of theory and research on gender and how gender intersects with other social categories, such as race, social class, ethnicity, religion, age, and sexuality, that the discipline itself is being reshaped. An important ingredient of this reshaping is that the feminist paradigm has joined with functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interaction to become sociology's fourth major theoretical perspective. The globalization process is yet another reshaping trend—a process that fuels diversity yet makes people more connected to one another than at any other time in human history. Gender role change in our relationships, homes, workplaces, and schools is a fundamental feature of globalization. Through abundant data documenting cutting edge research on gender and theoretical applications demonstrating how this research can be interpreted differently according to various sociological theories, the 4th edition of Gender Roles effectively captures all these trends. This edition strongly emphasizes the junction between sociological theory and its application to gender and issues of diversity that are reverberating around the globe. Students will better understand the theory-research connection through the new critiques this edition incorporates throughout. In addition, students will be able to locate themselves when they examine material on the intersection of gender with the other social categories they occupy and as they grapple with gender issues in their everyday lives.

Since the last edition of Gender Roles, the rapid growth of gender related scholarship has brought with it more interpretations, more sophistication, and more complexity. The good news is that there is a wealth of material from which to choose. Students need to be introduced to the richness and complexity of scholarship on gender and the important issues emerging from this scholarship. Because only a fraction of this abundant information can be included, material for this edition had to be carefully chosen to adequately and accurately represent competing theoretical views on gender and how various groups are portrayed according to these views. Interdisciplinary work aids in these portrayals. This edition makes focused choices from the contributions of other disciplines as they impinge on the sociology of gender roles. Although the task in selecting new material and discarding old material is formidable, it is manageable when a sociological perspective directs the process. Students will find a solid sociological foundation that links the range of information presented.

Written primarily as a core text for courses variously titled Sociology of Gender, Sex and Gender, Gender Roles, or Sex Roles, this text may be used for those studying the sociology of the family, psychology of women, gender and globalization, and women's or men's studies. Although guided by a sociological perspective, those with little or no background in sociology will find the text easy to navigate. It is also an excellent review for upper division students who will have their sociological expertise reinforced early in the text. Both groups will have the requisite knowledge to tackle the more complex gender issues they will then confront. The opening chapter provides an overview of the sociological perspective, its theories, and its basic concepts. Basic concepts from women's and men's studies are also introduced. Key terms are defined and boldfaced. Students will quickly understand that these theories and concepts can be used in explaining the sometimes contradictory research on gender issues. Theoretical discussions and applications that are both meaningfully linked with research as well as critiqued reinforce this understanding.

Part I provides insights on gender roles and the development of beliefs about women and men and masculinity and femininity from the disciplines and study of biology, psychology, anthropology, language, and history. Biological and sociocultural explanations for gender development are highlighted in the wealth of new material from interdisciplinary research that exposes the myths and offers critiques of essentialist explanations for gender roles. In turn, these insights are linked back to sociological understanding of the issues being discussed. This section expands considerably on interdisciplinary research on health and sexuality and on the connection between family and workplace that impacts the well-being of men and women in their gender role performance. New data on gender issues in globalization focusing on the developing world highlighting the paid and unpaid work roles of women and men and the similarities the globe's women share as a result of these roles round out the section. The significant issues related to work-family themes set up in Part I are carried throughout the text.

The sociological perspective dominates the balance of the book. Part II focuses on marriage and the family and provides the latest research, demographic portraits, and explanations regarding gender issues in love, choosing a partner, parenting, and the changing family in a multicultural context. The impact of work on gender roles in the family is highlighted. In addition to an expanded chapter on men and masculinity, all chapters integrate new material from men's studies highlighting how traditional definitions of masculinity and men's roles are being challenged, how men are responding to these challenges, and how they are responding to the changing roles of women. Part III views gender continuity and change in the economy, education, religion, media, politics, and law and suggests future trends related to gender roles. The gendered nature of the media and the huge impact of women's entry into the labor force are accentuated as key influences impacting gender roles in the social institutions.

This text provides opportunities for students to explore a variety of gender issues and how these impact their personal, academic, and professional lives. Rapid social change collides with our attitudes and behaviors regarding gender and forces us to confront traditional ways of thinking and doing. We may eagerly pursue new directions or stubbornly resist them. In either scenario, we will make wiser decisions in our relationships, homes, schools, and workplaces when we better understand the myth and reality associated with gender.

For both women and men the topic of gender roles is definitely a controversial one. You will be confronted with ideas that reinforce as well as challenge your thinking about women and men and masculinity and femininity. An objective of this book is to raise your level of consciousness about what you take for granted concerning gender. Once you grapple with the research, confront the stereotypes, and select the theory you consider most reasonable in explaining gender issues, you will have increased your understanding of our gendered world. You will also have gained insight about the other half of humanity.

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