BNU LC473: Gender and Inequalities, Sociological Perspective

This essay examines gender and inequalities through a sociological lens, focusing on the family history of Susan B. Anthony. It explores the meaning of gender, its social construction, and gender socialization, as well as the theories surrounding gender inequality. The essay delves into masculinity, femininity, and their accepted social characteristics, discussing the creation of gender identity and the historical and contemporary gender roles. It analyzes gender discrimination, relevant laws, and their impact, concluding with the significance of gender inequality in Anthony's life and its broader societal implications. The discussion includes the influence of both structure and agency in shaping the experiences of individuals facing gender-based inequalities, offering insights into the evolution of gender roles and the ongoing struggle for equality. The essay also touches upon theories such as functional, conflict, and interactionist perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

GENDER AND INEQUALITIES
LINK TO REAL WORLD
EXPERIENCES

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................4
Meaning of gender and inequalities.............................................................................................4
Gender- Socially constructed.......................................................................................................4
Gender socialization....................................................................................................................5
Theorist view on gender and inequalities....................................................................................5
Masculinity, femininity and their accepted social characteristics...............................................5
Creation of gender identity in society..........................................................................................5
Gender inequalities......................................................................................................................6
Views on theories of gender and Inequalities..............................................................................6
Gender roles in past and contemporary society...........................................................................6
Discrimination based on gender..................................................................................................7
Laws and its impacts....................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Gender discrimination describes the situation in which people are treated differently
simply because they are male or female, rather than on the basis of their individual skills or
capabilities. This report gives an essay about the topic of gender discrimination and how it has
affected the lives of people. Gender inequality has been a concern from long ago and this
emerged with increasing attention people gave about it. Many people are there in history who
fought for gender inequality and one among them is Susan B. Anthony. She was an American
social reformer and Women right activist. She belonged to a family which was passionate for
social reforms. She was women right activist and her family also fought against pro-slavery
forces. One of the reason she was aware of such issues was that in her family girls and boys were
taught similar values and this is one of the reason that she later fought against gender inequality.
(Parker and Funk, 2017).
MAIN BODY
Meaning of gender and inequalities
Gender is the difference between male and female and this is mainly based on social and
cultural differences between them rather than biological. This is also considered with range of
characteristics pertaining between masculinity and femininity. Inequality refers to lack of
equality (Scott, 2017). Gender inequality refers to context in which distribution of opportunities
and favors differ on the basis of gender. This means that one gender in the society is availed
more opportunities and favors than other. This mainly considers that man and women are not
equal and this significantly affects their overall living experience and almost all areas of life.
Gender- Socially constructed
Socially constructed theory of gender is a theory of feminism and sociology of cultural
origins. This theory specially stipulates that gender roles are an status that is achieved in a social
environment, these roles implicitly and explicitly categorize people and encourage social
behaviors. This theory is based on the belief that understanding of people of reality is partially
socially situated and gender is a social identity that is required to be contextualized. Behavior of
people on the basis of gender is result of social expectations for gender and they behave

according to that. In simple words, this theory considers that roles that are divided in male and
female or on the basis of gender are partially based on social expectations. In case of Susan B.
Anthony she and her sisters were raised like the boys in such situation individual interest rather
than gender becomes the basis of selection of work for the individual.
Gender socialization
Socialization is a process through which norms, values and behaviors are transferred
from one to another (Bertrand, 2019). Gender socialization is the process through which different
genders are taught about how they should and are required to behave in accordance with the
gender assigned to them and the genders are assigned to individuals by birth. Gender stereotype
is considered as one of the reason for gender socialization as boys and girls are taught and
expected to behave and act in certain ways that they are socialized from birth. Susan B. Anthony
was taught be self-supportive, business principle and was given responsibility at an early age and
in this all boys in the family were taught the same thing.
Theorist view on gender and inequalities
Gender inequality has been subject to several theories and one of the theories is known as
functional perspective, this perspective considers the structure to which societies are structured
to maintain equality. Another theory related to this is conflict perspective, this theory and theorist
considers that social behavior can be best understood in terms of conflict between competing
groups. Another perspective is interactionist perspective theorist in this considers that gender
inequality is produced and reinforced through socialization as well as daily interactions.
Masculinity, femininity and their accepted social characteristics
Above discussion included some of the theories and perceptions on basis of which gender
roles have been divided and what creates gender inequality (Sumra, 2019). This will discuss
about different characteristics of masculinity and femininity. Masculinity traits which are
concerned with traits of men are on the basis of masculine energy outward, projective, on the
basis of natural masculinity are confidence, inner strength, logical stability and wounded
masculine are abuse of power, perpetrator etc. Characteristics of women on the basis of feminine
energy are receptive, inward, on the basis of natural feminine understanding, tenderness,
creative, intuitive, on the basis of wounded feminine are victim, powerless and manipulation etc.

Creation of gender identity in society
Gender identity is perception of oneself as male or female and is a result of inherent ad
extrinsic environmental factors, this also includes gender role and are also manifested in society
by appearance and behavior. This means that gender identity creation is based on several factors
and appearance and behavior of one is also a part of this identity as a male or female. These are
generally based on socialization as one reflect what they have been taught as being a male and
female on the basis of their biological characteristics (McLean, Shucard and Syed, 2017).
Though on the basis of gender roles are being changed as earlier they were earlier.
Gender inequalities
This statement highlights the fact that men and women are not treated or considered as
equal. The reason behind these inequalities is the factors such as psychological, cultural and
biological. This aspect is been noticed differently and it varies on the basis of culture. People
considers difference in sex since its birth. Males are raised and treated differently when they are
child. They are considered as different personalities which makes their paths different. Before
they can choose on their own there are already many stereotypes existing for them which is
mandatory for them to follow. Susan B Anthony worked a lot on removing the differences
between both the genders so that both of them can be considered and treated as equal.
Views on theories of gender and Inequalities
There are many theories on this issue such as conflict theory it states that society
struggles to achieve power of dominance between social groups so that they can fight over the
resources that are scarce. This theory states that problems among social groups rises when
groups that are dominant tries to exploit subordinate groups. These members of the group puts
obstacles in the path of women so that they cannot achieve more from men. Other than this
feminist theory states that contributions made by women are ignored or overlooked as
contribution made by men. It works on the approach of conflict so that they can examine the
roles and inequalities between gender. This theory states that dominance over women needs to
come to an end and the efforts made by women must not be taken for granted (Heilman and
Caleo, 2018).
Gender roles in past and contemporary society

Since the last 40 to 50 years women has started to get freedom and the idea of them for aiming
and pursuing their goals is born. There used to be a dominance of men which is now fading and
the gap of equal pay between both the genders is also filling up. Other than the aim in career and
achievements in life there are other restrictions that has also been lifted such as maintaining the
balance of emotional equity. Not only the role of women but role of men also used to be different
as earlier it was mandatory that men had to go outside and earn the bread for the family. Other
than this they were not allowed to reveal their emotions and also taught to be act tough. But now
with the change in time self awareness has increased and the traditions and stereotypes are not
being followed. Men and women make preferences according to their suitability.
Discrimination based on gender
Gender discrimination is a violation of common civil rights and there are many forms of
it such as discrimination in pregnancy, sexual harassment, discrimination on the basis of
education, equal pay cut discrimination and discrimination in employment. Susan B Anthony and
her family always fought against issues which are based on discrimination. (Ge and et.al., 2016).
Laws and its impacts
The Equality Act 2010 states that all of the issues related to gender discrimination and activities
under it such as sexual harassment will be a violation of the act as this act gives everyone their
fair share of rights and allow them to live with freedom and respect irrespective of their gender.
Other than this there are many in act imposed by the government of UK such as Equal Pay Act
which helps them to fight against these issues. These laws also have their impact which can
affect the outcome of the business and affect the image of the company in the market. If the
company has any role in encouraging the activities of gender discrimination then certainly they
will loose their productivity as they would have to focus on settling the case. Also the rate of
employee turnover will increase and make the environment of work hostile which will disrupt
the flow of work. There were not many laws when Susan B Anthony were supporting people
against these measures.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above discussion it can be concluded that gender inequality which refers
to unequal distribution of opportunities and power and assign different roles to male and female.

Significance of gender inequality in life of Susan B. Anthony can be highlighted because she was
never a victim of gender inequality in her family but she took active participation for gender
equality. Important reason can be considered as society in socialization of gender she
experienced. Several theories has been developed regarding gender inequality and among all
these socialization is most popular theory that considers that gender inequality exist because of
socialization that male and female genders are taught different values and behaviors. Though
presently the roles that were earlier divided on the basis of gender are reducing the gap and both
genders are playing the roles based on their individual choice and interest rather than what they
are taught in socialization. This is changing and gap is reducing but the completely mitigating the
difference in their roles is difficult and will take time.
REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Bertrand, M., 2019. Replication data for: The Gender Socialization of Children Growing Up in
Nontraditional Families.
Ge, Y., and et.al., 2016. Racial and gender discrimination in transportation network
companies (No. w22776). National Bureau of Economic Research.
Heilman, M.E. and Caleo, S., 2018. Combatting gender discrimination: A lack of fit
framework. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 21(5), pp.725-744.
McLean, K.C., Shucard, H. and Syed, M., 2017. Applying the master narrative framework to
gender identity development in emerging adulthood. Emerging Adulthood. 5(2). pp.93-
105.
Parker, K. and Funk, C., 2017. Gender discrimination comes in many forms for today’s working
women. Pew Research Center, 14.
Scott, J.W., 2017. Secularism, Gender Inequality, and the French State. Islam, gender, and
democracy in comparative perspective. p.63.
Sumra, M.K., 2019. Masculinity, femininity, and leadership: Taking a closer look at the alpha
female. PloS one. 14(4).