LC560: Gender, Sexuality and Society Essay Analysis

This essay, prepared for the LC560: Gender, Sexuality and Society module, critically examines the theoretical perspectives of Talcott Parsons and Mary Wollstonecraft on gender roles and their impact on society. It explores Parsons' functionalist view, highlighting the division of labor and its critiques, while also delving into Wollstonecraft's feminist theories and the fight for equal rights. The essay connects these theories to real-world examples of gender inequality, such as workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, and wage gaps, illustrating the ongoing challenges women face. It further discusses socio-economic factors influencing gender identity, including the impact of political environments and societal stigmas. The paper also incorporates discussions on Marxist and Black feminist perspectives, emphasizing the historical and contemporary struggles for gender equality and the need for continuous efforts to combat discrimination and promote social development. The essay concludes by emphasizing the prevalence of gender inequality, the importance of feminist theories, and the need for societal change. This essay is available on Desklib, a platform providing AI-based study tools for students.

Running head: GENDER, SEXUALITY AND SOCIETY
Gender, Sexuallity and Society
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1GENDER, SEXUALITY AND SOCIETY
Introduction
Gender inequality and societal interpretations of this perspective has been
interpreted by several critics at different times. The most important fact in this discourse
is females do not have any kind of social security and they are exposed to gender
inequality in their workplaces and society as well. It has become a matter of regularity
that women have been harassed sexually and they are not given proper respect in their
workplaces along with equal wages as men (Alexander 2014). This paper will discuss
on the theoretical perspectives of different critics in this scenario and how they have
interpreted this issue in front of common people. The two chosen theorists in this paper
are Talcott Parsons and Mary Wollstonecraft. Their interpretations of gender role theory
will be discussed in this paper with further revelations from other theorists. Examples of
daily life where women have been deprived of their rights and harassed sexually will be
linked to these theories so the success of these theoretical interventions can be found.
Theoretical interventions of gender and sexuality
Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) was basically a very popular sociologist from United
States who gave a strong interpretation of gender roles and its contributions for the
development of society. The functional fit theory by Parsons is one of the most
influential theories that had shaped the 20th century sociology properly. According to this
theory by Talcott Parsons, it has been mentioned that both men and women will have
similar respect in the society because of its equal status. No discrimination should be
there because all of them deserve to be treated in the similar manner. However,
Parsons has defined the roles of gender to be different from each other in different
perspectives (Alexander 2014). These differences will help the society in turn only. The
division of sexuality should be made in terms of labor so it could cater to the better
functions of society.
On the contrary, there are several critics who have completely differed on this
view of sexual divisions of labor. They have given their opinion that women can do all
kinds of labors that are designed for men. There should be no contradictions in this
scenario. A very lively example can be provided in support of denying sexual division of

2GENDER, SEXUALITY AND SOCIETY
labor roles. According to the statistical data, there are around 14% female army officers
in United Kingdom (Turner and Holton 2014). This shows females have similar kind of
fearlessness and bravery like their male counterparts. They are also very subtle at
doing their roles proactively in corporate organizations in hierarchy roles as well.
This shows females are always capable or worthy of doing their works properly. If
some kind of work is especially kept for women only, it will be a complete discrimination
from all the perspectives (Fourie 2016). Rather, similar kinds of works can be distributed
among both men and women in terms of their capabilities. Society can always function
better if all members of society distribute the workload among themselves and not
indulge in any kind of unethical means or corruption. Both males and females have
equal rights in contributing to all forms of social development. On the other hand,
Parsons has opined that men in the society are responsible for observing instrumental
roles and women have to perform expressive roles (Turner and Holton 2014).
This is regarded as a reflection towards public or private dichotomy in the
society. This functionalist view of sexuality is of the opinion that sexual roles in society
are completely fixed and it cannot be changed. This is somewhat odd in the 21st century
since both the roles of men and women are flexible and keep on changing (Harris and
Giuffre 2015). If functionalist view states it is unchanging, this view cannot be accepted
entirely. He has also said that instrumental role and expressive roles should be
observed. Still, it can also be highlighted that this theoretical perspective has not
focused on inequalities in genders (Fourie 2016). The deprivation of women from social
roles has been one of the most intriguing factors missing in this theory by Talcott
Parsons.
In the explanation by Simonne de Beauvoir, it has been said human beings
become women and not born with the identity of women. This view has also been
criticized largely for its inefficiencies and respecting roles of women in society. Men also
have to learn the way of becoming masculine. There are many agents of socialization in
this scenario (O'rand 2018). These agents are media personnel, their family members
as peers such as teachers. This theory has also been criticized since people have to be
active agents in the society and not some passive creatures going with the flow or trend.

3GENDER, SEXUALITY AND SOCIETY
The concept of ‘hegemonic masculinity’ is one fact i.e. associated with the gender role
differences. Some critics have also drawn out the differences between masculinity and
femininity as well. The gender identities should be created in the pattern that it leads up
to the social development in all aspects. Critics have also pointed out that people tend
to go through activities of gender identities when they perform their daily activities in
random manner (O'rand 2018).
Socio-economic perspectives behind gender identity
Gender identity has become a regular part of everyday matters in the current
times. All the socio-economic perspectives must be considered as important ones and
political environment is also a crucial factor in determining strategies that can be taken
to provide equal rights to both men and women (Fourie 2016). The violence on women
is a very regular event in the society that takes place frequently. It is the responsibility of
political organizations of the civil society so this can be stopped. Here the expressive
roles of women do not come to play. Notably, it has been in recent times that little girls
have been harassed and victimized by sexual violence in several countries. So,
theoretical perspectives from functionalism will not be able to explain such despicable
thing in the society (Price and Shildrick 2017). Therefore, it will be important to look into
the matter with social stigmas and punish culprits. In the next section of discussion, it
should also be stated that gender roles and sexuality in society are parts of learned
behavior. Here, instrumental roles for men signify the fact that men will work hard in
their professional workplaces so they can provide for their families (Mendelberg,
Karpowitz and Oliphant 2014).
On the contrary, it has also been said there are several women in society who
come up with great degrees under their belt and apply their knowledge in certain jobs of
their preference. They are also capable enough of performing brilliantly and earn high
amount of money (Ridgeway 2014). Therefore, women are no more bounded within
their expressive role of helping their families and take care of all home related works.
Therefore, socio-economic scenario has been changed in the 21st century. This
perspective of gender inequality in terms of structural-functionalism had gained its peak

4GENDER, SEXUALITY AND SOCIETY
in the middle years of 20th century (Price and Shildrick 2017). This model by Talcott
Parsons developed on the basis of nuclear family was one of the most striking factors in
this scenario. Some segments had been divided between men and women signifying
the kind of labor work they will look to take. Here, gender is the basic element of
maintain social order predominantly so, it could cater to keep the stability in society
(Carastathis 2014).
Feminist theories of Mary Wollstonecraft for social balance
The feminist theories are most important to highlight on gender discriminations
within the society. She was one of those persons who spoke up against male
dominance in the patriarchal society. She questioned for equal rights among women. In
the previous times, there was no respect for any woman in society and most of them
had been victims of social violence (Kabeer 2015). They had no identity of their own
and they were looked upon as commodities. There are several events where women
had been harassed, raped, killed or treated inhumanly in their societies. No protection
was given to any women.
Wollstonecraft questioned in favor of maintaining democracy in society that
would surely provide equal opportunities for every women. According to her views,
enlightenment of women was the first primary target for democracy (Carastathis 2014).
If women were deprived and sexually harassed, it was a question of insult for the
society. According to the theoretical perspectives of liberal feminism, it is definite that all
women in the society must be given equal rights (Stier and Yaish 2014). Their individual
rights and nature should be respected by all means. All women in the society have the
right of educated properly. Otherwise, it will be complete discrimination that ruins social
stability.
It has been proven many times that women are always capable of doing daily
works in the similar manner like men. The aim of this theory was to enable women to
access the entire social, political and economic rights like all men. Mary Wollstonecraft
had highlighted the bad condition of women in society through her writings and voiced
her opinion for equal individual rights (Carastathis 2014). Through her working

5GENDER, SEXUALITY AND SOCIETY
experience, she came to learn that women were not valued properly and their rights had
been neglected as well. As a part of discussion, it can also be said that aspects of
feminism from Marxist perspectives are to be supported. In the views of Marxist
feminism, Marx has highlighted that women are oppressed within the society by
proponents of capitalism (Huber 2015). The ownership of private property through the
means of individualistic nature has also been reflected in addressing gender roles in
Marxism. According to Marx, the liberation of women from the society could only be
achieved if the capitalist economy and society could be restructured by giving equal
rights to all the people (Bartlett 2018). Marx has always been noted for sexual equality
in the society. Marx believed that nature of human beings had been shaped properly by
social environments. Therefore, it is quite obvious their nature could not be utilized
within the social structure dominated by capitalism (Cuberes and Teignier 2014).
Another way of feminism theory is black feminism that has been introduced in
social science in very recent times. As the social boundaries have expanded, inclusion
of black women has also taken place in professional workplaces. In some cases, it has
been found that black women had been excluded from social norms and they could not
take part in social celebrations or festivals (Bartlett 2018). This situation is better now
and sexual assaults on black women are dealt with much seriousness. Everyday life
examples prove that social position of black women has been put into jeopardy because
they have been assaulted sexually and deprived of all facilities in society. This is where
the need for practicing feminism theory can be felt within society (Ponthieux and Meurs
2015). The invincible dominance of men in society is unacceptable and gender equality
must be established in society for future development.
Everyday evidence of gender inequality and sexuality
It is a commonplace thing that women in society are constantly becoming the
victims of sexual violence. Their rights have been taken away frequently and they are
left voiceless. Gender inequality has become a disease and socio-economic conditions
are partly responsible for it (O'brien 2019). The sexist incidents have been growing in
numbers and governments have not been able to take such strict measures as of yet.

6GENDER, SEXUALITY AND SOCIETY
One of the major evidences regarding gender inequality is differences in payment of
wages between male and females. There is a growing concern in most professional
workplaces that female employees are not able to get the top ranks and present their
skills and capabilities in hierarchy positions (Blau 2016). Many times it has also been
complained that female employees do not get equal wages similar as men working in
same designation. This is completely gender discrimination. Many organizations also do
not grant sufficient leaves to women during times of their pregnancy. This is surely an
everyday example of sexism in society (Ridgeway 2014) It is arguable that both men
and women deserve similar payments while working in similar positions. The wages of
employees must be fixed on their skills and capability of work and not on their gender.
Another kind of gender inequality perceived in birth of girls. In any nations, pre-
natal tests are done to know the gender of the baby before its birth. This practice is
completely unethical and should be banned permanently (Fincher 2016). This
decreases or slows down life expectancy of girl children in the society. Apart from that, it
has been recorded that lesser than 40% countries have enrolled girls formal secondary
education in schools. Their participation in the education process has not been given
that high priority (Blau 2016). Many backward families in the society also do not permit
their girls to get admitted in schools due to poverty. They remain illiterate and this stays
as their biggest backdrop. According to statistical data, more than 700 million people all
over the world are illiterate and almost two-thirds of these people are women
(Jayachandran 2015). It has also been said that more than 120 million youths are not
enlightened by education and more than 60% of these youths are young girls.
Issues like sexual assaults on women, tremendous violence and rape have
become very common things. This has affected the mental health status of women in
the society. The functionalism theory by Talcott Parsons will not be crucial enough when
gender roles are fixed to a certain point. It has been noticed in some cases that victims
of this harassment are simple housewives. They were serving for their homes and took
the expressive role in society for its better functioning (Jayachandran 2015). So,
Parsons’ theory does not correlate the actions that take place very often. The feminism
theory propagated by Wollstonecraft for equality between men and women is quite

7GENDER, SEXUALITY AND SOCIETY
justified since people belonging to both genders are human beings and social creatures.
It is completely their responsibility to give similar status to both genders and provide
them with equal opportunities as well (Ridgeway 2014) In these circumstances, these
theoretical perspectives have presented different interpretations from sociologists but
most of them have unanimously agreed that men and women must be provided with
similar opportunities.
Conclusion
On a concluding note, it must be mentioned that social critics have always voiced
their opinions against gender inequality. Social discriminations on people on the basis of
gender should come at a halt. Otherwise, it would become a practice in frequent times.
The theoretical perspectives of Talcott Parsons and Mary Wollstonecraft have been
discussed in the paper to highlight their interpretations on this matter. However,
inequality on women in personal and professional experiences has caused them mental
stress. Their mental health and well being have been hampered by these actions as
well. Social workers must find out some ways to raise the awareness among common
people to make sure these things do not happen again in future.

8GENDER, SEXUALITY AND SOCIETY
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