Theories of Prejudice and Conflict Resolution: An Analytical Essay

This essay explores the causes and consequences of prejudice, particularly in the context of gender and societal roles. It uses Zawdaki's Well Earned Reputation Theory and Doob, Sears, and others' Scape-Goat Theory to analyze the statement about women on welfare. The essay reflects on how men may develop prejudice against women due to perceived economic imbalances and frustrations stemming from patriarchal norms. It suggests conflict resolution strategies, including overcoming the "us versus them" mentality by fostering empathy and recognizing the value of women's unpaid labor. Additionally, it advocates for looking beyond surface-level issues to address the underlying patriarchal structures that contribute to the conflict, emphasizing that societal norms, rather than women themselves, are the root cause of the problem. The essay concludes by highlighting the need for men to realize that the patriarchal social order is the real issue, and that these norms have become redundant with changing times.

Running head: PREJUDICE
PREJUDICE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PREJUDICE
The social order of relegating to the women the household chores, producing and raising
kids, and to the men, the duty of fending for the economic interests of the family signifies the
gender and sexual division of labour. As the work done by the men fetches economic
remuneration, while the contribution of the women as ancillaries to sustain the system of gender
segregated labour having no economic value has been considered as insignificant since time
immemorable (Whitley Jr & Kite, 2016).
In this particular essay the notion that the women tend to reap more benefits than men
when all the former does is produce babies and take care of them, while men have to work hard
to provide for the needs of the family, shall be explained against the backdrop of the theories of
prejudice. The probable solutions shall also be provided on the basis of the methods of conflict
resolution.
Well Earned Reputation Theory of Zawdaki and The Scape-Goat Theory of Doob, Sears
and others, are the most appropriate theories of prejudice that can be used to explain the
statement chosen. Zawdaki states that the influential group of the society tends to victimize the
ones who have a bad reputation. In this regard the influential group are the men owing to the
economic gains they bring for the family, and the group having the bad reputation, of living on
benefits without having to provide any effort, are the women. The men feel entitled to hold
prejudice against the women, as they feel that economically remunerative works are the only
forms of work (Whitley Jr & Kite, 2016). Doob, Sears and others state that it is the frustration of
the influential group that drives them to be prejudiced against another group. The men become
frustrated because of undergoing labour exploitation with inadequate remuneration, and no one
to share the economic burden as their women partners are bound by patriarchal norms to be

2PREJUDICE
housewives. When the men feel the evils of the patriarchal construction of the societal norms,
they tend to take on the women for their problems (Aboud & Steele, 2017).
Two theoretically established conflict resolution strategies that can reconcile the situation
of conflict between the men and the women discussed in this regard, in an appropriate manner
are, overcoming the “us versus them” thought process and the capacity to look beyond what is
evident and identify the deeper issues that act as catalyst to contribute to the conflict. As per the
overcoming of the “us versus them” bias approach, imbibition of the spirit of empathy and
equality has been prescribed. The men, who form the influential group must understand that the
household chores done by the women are equally laborious. Though it might not be
economically remunerative, but their contribution is inevitable and complements the labour of
the men (Folger, Poole & Stutman, 2015). As per the looking beyond the evident reality
approach, the urge to analyze the causes of the problem has been prescribed as shallow treatment
of the issue creates problems instead of solving it. The men must realize that it is not the women
who are their enemies, but the patriarchal social order which essentializes certain benchmarks to
be followed. Unfortunately with changing times, they tended to become redundant (Wallensteen,
2018).

3PREJUDICE
References
Aboud, F. E., & Steele, J. R. (2017). Theoretical perspectives on the development of implicit and
explicit prejudice. The Wiley Handbook of group processes in children and adolescents,
167.
Folger, J., Poole, M. S., & Stutman, R. K. (2015). Working through conflict: Strategies for
relationships, groups, and organizations. Routledge.
Wallensteen, P. (2018). Understanding conflict resolution. SAGE Publications Limited.
Whitley Jr, B. E., & Kite, M. E. (2016). Psychology of prejudice and discrimination. Routledge.