Critical Review Of Literature Due: Friday, April 16 At 11:59

Critical Review of Literature Due: Friday, April 16 at 11:59 pm

This assignment is meant to enhance students’ understanding of gender and how it impacts socialization, social structures, and inequality in the United States. Summarizing research and comparing and contrasting course materials are main components of this project.

You are required to do a critical review of literature in sociology of gender. This is an opportunity for you to summarize and critically analyze four assigned readings or videos on a single topic. It is not meant to summarize all the literature in the course. You choose the topic and readings. Critically analyze means you carefully choose a topic, sources, and compare and contrast them. It does not mean you criticize the sources.

You are required to use in-text citations and include a reference page. In the assignment you should: 1) summarize the topic in 250 words or more, 2) state its importance in your thesis statement and bold your thesis statement; 3) provide at least three statistics related to the topic; 4) explain the arguments from readings or videos; and 5) compare and contrast the readings and videos. This is also how your assignment should be organized.

This assignment should be your original thought and writing. You can use writing from discussion posts, but the writing needs to be revised to be considered academic writing. This means it should include in-text citation phrases. Format: You can choose the format of the project. These are the options.

1. A four to five-page paper, excluding reference page.

2. Video (7 minutes)

3. PowerPoint with voice over lasting 7 minutes.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding Gender Socialization and Its Sociological Implications

Gender socialization is a fundamental process through which individuals learn and internalize the norms, behaviors, and expectations associated with their gender within a given society. It shapes personal identities and influences societal structures, contributing to enduring inequalities. This critical review explores how gender norms are constructed, transmitted, and reinforced across different social institutions, with particular emphasis on the United States.

The importance of understanding gender socialization lies in its role in perpetuating gender stratification and influencing individual life chances. As sociologists have argued, gender is a socially constructed category, not rooted solely in biological differences (West & Zimmerman, 1987). This perspective shifts the focus from biological determinism to social processes that sustain gender inequalities.

Research indicates that gender socialization begins early in childhood through family, media, education, and peer interactions. For instance, children are often exposed to gendered toys and media representations that reinforce stereotypes about what behaviors are appropriate for boys and girls (Lips, 2013). These messages contribute to the internalization of gendered expectations and roles.

Statistics further highlight the impact of gender socialization. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2020), women earn approximately 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, illustrating persistent economic inequalities linked to gendered norms. Additionally, females are underrepresented in leadership positions across sectors, with women occupying only 27% of managerial roles (Catalyst, 2021). Moreover, studies show that media portrayals predominantly depict women in domestic or subordinate roles, reinforcing stereotypical gender roles.

The readings and videos critically examine how gender roles are reproduced through various social institutions. The "Cycle of Socialization" handout illustrates how societal norms are transmitted from generation to generation, maintaining the status quo (Friere, 1970). The "American Male" video emphasizes how masculine ideals are idealized and promoted through media and cultural narratives, shaping male identities and expectations (Messner, 2002). Similarly, the "Codes of Gender" analysis discusses how media representations reinforce binary gender distinctions and stereotypes.

While the readings agree that social institutions play a crucial role in gender socialization, they also highlight differences in emphasizing individual agency versus structural forces. Some sources stress the transformative potential of conscious resistance and education to challenge gender norms, while others focus on the pervasive power of institutional reinforcement (Bem, 1981).

In conclusion, the socialization of gender is a complex, multi-layered process that sustains societal inequalities but also offers avenues for change through critical awareness and activism. Analyzing these resources reveals the importance of understanding gender as a social construct deeply embedded within social institutions and culture.

References

  • Bem, S. L. (1981). Gender schema theory: A cognitive account of sex typing. Psychological Review, 88(4), 354-364.
  • Catalyst. (2021). Women in management: Quick Take. Retrieved from https://www.catalyst.org/research/women-in-management/
  • Lips, H. M. (2013). Gender: The basics. Routledge.
  • Messner, M. A. (2002). Taking the field: Women, men, and sports. University of Minnesota Press.
  • West, C., & Zimmerman, D. H. (1987). Doing gender. Gender & Society, 1(2), 125-151.
  • U.S. Census Bureau. (2020). Income and poverty in the United States: 2019. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2020/demo/p60-270.html

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