How Subtle Sex Discrimination Works By Nijole V. Benokraitis ✓ Solved

how Subtle Sex Discrimination Works By Nijole V Benokraitislin

Identify which article you picked and summarize the information. Choose a concept from Introduction to Sociology 2e (any chapter), a Sociological theory, or the Sociological Imagination to analyze what you read. Define your concept, theory, or Sociological Imagination. (Please use a sociological theory) Analyze the reading with Sociology. please use citations when providing examples from the article, please write 2-3 paragraphs double spaced.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The article titled "How Subtle Sex Discrimination Works" by Nijole V. Benokraitis explores the often overlooked and covert ways in which gender discrimination manifests in society. Unlike blatant forms of sexism, subtle sex discrimination involves nuanced behaviors and institutional practices that perpetuate gender inequalities. The article illuminates how these subtle forms of discrimination operate within daily social interactions and organizational structures, often going unnoticed by those who are affected or by observers. This examination highlights the importance of understanding the nuanced mechanisms through which gender bias is maintained and propagated.

Sociological Theory Application

To analyze the mechanisms described in the article, it is pertinent to apply Goffman's theory of impression management, which is a part of symbolic interactionism. Goffman (1959) posited that individuals work to present themselves favorably in social interactions to influence perceptions and maintain social order. In the context of subtle sex discrimination, women may engage in impression management to conform to societal expectations of femininity, thus avoiding overt conflict or discrimination. Conversely, workplaces might subtly favor male candidates or colleagues by unconsciously validating masculine behaviors and devaluing those associated with femininity. This theory helps illuminate the everyday negotiations women perform and how societal institutions unconsciously uphold gender stereotypes through embedded practices that appear neutral but favor one gender over another.

Analysis

The article underscores how subtle sex discrimination is embedded within routine social interactions and organizational culture, aligning with Goffman's theory of impression management and the broader framework of symbolic interactionism. For example, Benokraitis (2012) notes that women often face subtle cues in hiring or promotion practices, such as being talked over or ignored in meetings, which serve to reinforce gender hierarchies without explicit intention (Benokraitis, 2012). These behaviors function as microaggressions that silently sustain gender inequality within workplaces. By employing impression management strategies, women may attempt to navigate these environments cautiously to avoid activating negative stereotypes that could further marginalize them. This constant negotiation illustrates how societal expectations and organizational norms shape individual behaviors, perpetuating structural sexism.

Furthermore, applying the sociological imagination allows us to see how individual experiences of subtle discrimination are interconnected with larger societal patterns. Mills (1959) argued that personal troubles are often rooted in public issues; thus, individual gender biases reflect systemic issues ingrained in societal institutions. For instance, widespread gender stereotypes that associate leadership qualities with masculinity contribute to discriminatory practices that disadvantage women in professional settings. Recognizing this connection emphasizes the importance of structural change alongside individual awareness to combat subtle sexism effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Benokraitis’s article vividly demonstrates how subtle sex discrimination operates beneath the surface of daily interactions, often unnoticed but deeply ingrained in societal and organizational norms. Applying Goffman's impression management theory enables a nuanced understanding of how women navigate these norms to present themselves appropriately while confronting persistent biases. Simultaneously, the sociological imagination contextualizes these micro-level experiences within larger systemic issues, emphasizing the need for structural reforms to promote gender equality. Addressing subtle discrimination requires both awareness of these covert mechanisms and concerted efforts to challenge and change societal norms and institutional practices.

References

• Benokraitis, N. V. (2012). Subtle Sex Discrimination. In Seeing Difference: An Introduction to Sociology (2nd ed., pp. 254-261). Pearson.
• Goffman, E. (1959). The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Doubleday.
• Mills, C. W. (1959). The Sociological Imagination. Oxford University Press.
• Link, B. G., & Phelan, J. C. (2001). Conceptualizing stigma. Annual Review of Sociology, 27, 363-385.
• Risman, B. J. (1998). Gender as a social structure: Theory wrestling with activism. Gender & Society, 12(4), 409-431.
• Connell, R. W. (2002). Gender. Polity Press.
• Collins, R. (2004). Interactional sociological theory. Cambridge University Press.
• Goffman, E. (1961). Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates. Anchor Books.
• Kimmel, M. S. (2000). Changing men: New directions in research on men and masculinities. Sociology of Men & Masculinity, 3(1), 1-15.
• Smith, D. E. (1990). The routine underside of legitimacy: Structures and contradictions in modern differentiation. Gender & Society, 4(2), 165-189.