Gender Inequality According to Functionalist and Marxist...

Contrary to popular believe, gender is referred to the attitudes, behaviours and emotions linked with a specific sexual group. There are two dominant perspectives that illustrate two different viewpoints of gender inequality. The functionalist perspective, by Talcott Parsons, believed that both men and women possess specific qualities that make them excellent at specific events, and these qualities are not interchangeable (Brym, 2014). The Marxist-Feminist perspective; however, viewed qualities for men and women as to being dependent on social conditions rather than being inherited (2014). In order to further illustrate the presence of gender inequality in the present society; the film Missrepresentation, by Jennifer Newsom reveals the†¦show more content†¦The functionalists including Talcott Parsons, an American sociologist, believe in the ideal nuclear family. The father in the family is suppose to work and be the income source for the household, whereas the mother is resp onsible for raising the children and managing the household (Brym, 2014). Thus according to this, males and females have a social conformity that is passed down from one generation to another. Moreover, masculinity is linked with instrumental traits and femininity is associated with expressive traits. For example, male should be strong, protective, dominant and providers where as females are sensitive, weak, dependant and focused on their appearance (2014). In the film, this is the dominant view of the media (Newsom, 2011). Shows like 2 and the half men that display women as recyclable objects or news anchors who are thought to be able to attract viewer by what they are wearing that day, further illustrates the disparity between the two sexes (2011). Also classic TV series and films tend to present the functionalist views of a nuclear family, especially after World War 2 when the women were forced to leave the workplace and give the jobs back to the men (2011). This was a way for th e media to ease the transition and convince the females that they were needed more at home by their families rather than in the work force (2011). By providing strict barriers for males and females, the media instils the view that if a man is too feminineShow MoreRelatedSociology and Socialization Essay891 Words   |  4 Pagesmajor sociological perspectives, symbolic interactionism has probably developed the most detailed theory of socialization, Haralambos, Holborn. Sociology - Themes and Perspectives.[2008]. In the socialization process, there are several factors which may affect a childs behavior. In relation to the term socialization, there are some sociologists who argue the theme nature versus nurture. 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