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Chapter 4 -- Discussion Questions dealing with GENDER ROLES IN THE FAMILY

Michael R. Leming, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
Spring Semester 1997

  1. What does the following statement mean? "The variation within each sex is always greater than the average difference between the sexes." What four factors distinguish males from females on biological grounds?
  2. Discuss the many ways in which sex roles are internalized in the socialization process.
  3. Discuss the following as they relate to gender socialization: "looking-glass self concept," "self-fulfilling prophecy," "labeling theory," and "the definition of the situation."
  4. Interpret gender differences from one of the following theoretical perspectives: symbolic interaction theory, structural functional theory, exchange theory, and conflict theory.
  5. If you wished to maximize the differences between two children (one a boy and the other a girl), what would you do?
  6. How realistic are most expectations for two-career couples? What strategies might they employ to deal with the stress and role-overload created by the two-career family lifestyle?
  7. Why are there so many American married women working? Why are there so many working mothers? How is the United States government dealing with this issue?
  8. Should America try to create gender parity? What might be done to bring this about? What are the benefits of perpetuating the gender gap in wages?
  9. Is it possible to have it all--family, career, house, friends, and community involvement? What compromises would you make regarding these goals? 10. What should the government and industry do (if anything) to help solve the day care crisis in America?
  10. How involved are American men in the tasks of child care and housework? Do you expect that men will change their behavior around the house? What social factors might bring about more gender parity relative to household tasks?

Go back to SOCIOLOGY 260 -- Sociology of Marriage and the Family Discussion Questions Page


If you have any questions or comments please email:

leming@stolaf.edu

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