Thinking about Women: Sociological Perspectives on Sex and Gender

Abstract

Each chapter includes Summary, Key Terms, and Discussion Questions/Projects for I.INTRODUCTION. 1.Studying Women: Feminist Perspectives. The Sociological Imagination. Defining Feminism. Women's Studies and the Inclusion of Women. The Sociological Framework for Thinking about Women. II.GENDER, SEX, AND CULTURE. 2.The Social Construction of Gender. Sex, Gender, and Sexuality. The Institutional Basis of Gender. Sex Differences: Biology and Gender. Socialization and the Formation of Gender Identity. Socialization across the Life Course. Theoretical Perspectives on the Formation of Gender. Limitations of the Socialization Perspective. 3.Gender and Culture: The Social Construction of Knowledge. Gender, Language, and Popular Culture. Gendered Images in the Media. The Sociology of Knowledge. Women and Educational Thought. Gender, Science, and Society. 4.Sexuality and Intimate Relationships. The Social Construction of Sexuality. The History of Sexuality in the United States. Contemporary Sexual Attitudes and Behavior. Race, Sexuality, and Power. Sexual Development over the Life Cycle. Love and Intimate Relationships. Friendship. Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Experiences. III.GENDER AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS. 5.Women, Work, and the Economy. Historical Perspectives on Women's Work. What Is Work? Gender and Class Stratification. The Contemporary Status of Women. Poverty and Welfare. Work Environments for Women. Intersections of Family and Work. Policies for Gender Equity. 6.Women and Families. Historical Perspectives on Modern Families. Feminist Perspectives on Families. Portraits of Contemporary Households. Race, Gender, and Families. Families and Social Problems. 7.Women, Health, and Reproduction. The Social Structure of Health. Race, Class, and Health. Women, Work, and Health. Gender, Health, and Social Problems. The Politics of Reproduction: Birth Control, Abortion, and Childbirth. Women and the Health Care System. 8.Women and Religion. Sociological Perspectives on Religion. Religion and Social Control. Religion and the Emergence of Feminism in the United States. Women and Religiosity. Women's Status in Religious Institutions. Religion, Racism, and Social Change. Religion as a Basis for Antifeminism. Faith, Feminism, and Spirituality. 9.Women, Crime, and Deviance. Origins of Deviance Theory. Sociological Perspectives on Crime and Deviance. Women as Criminals. Women as Victims of Crime. Women in the Criminal Justice System. 10.Women, Power, and Politics. Defining Power. Women and the State. Women and the Law. Women in Government. Women and the Military. Rethinking the Political. The Women's Movement. IV.FEMINIST THEORY AND SOCIAL CHANGE. 11.Women and Social Reform: Liberal Feminism. Frameworks of Feminist Theory. The Liberal Basis of Modern Feminism. Liberalism as a Mode of Social Thought. An Enlightenment for Women? Mary Wollstonecraft. Harriet Martineau. John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor Mill. The Critique of Liberalism. 12.Radical Alternatives: Socialist and Radical Feminism. The Political Context of Radical Feminism. The Marxist Perspective. Socialist Feminism. Family and Economy in Capitalist Society. Radical Feminism. Intersections of Capitalism and Patriarchy. Comparing Liberal and Radical Feminism. 13.Conclusion: New Directions in Feminist Theory. Feminist Epistemology. Feminism and Postmodernism. Feminism and the Analysis of Race, Class, and Gender. Glossary. Bibliography. Name Index. Subject Index.