Question

Gender Inequality: what are the roots of it, what caused it and what sociological theories apply to it

Answer 1

Gender inequality is a familiar term to all. Because these days the issues underlying gender inequality getting huge attention and discussing gender inequalities existing in society. Gender inequality simply refers to treating individuals unequally based on their gender. We know that men and women are born equally and playing a predominant role in the development and existence of humankind. But women are treating as subordinate and inferior. They are struggling for equal rights and equality in society. This is the root of gender inequality. Now the issues of gender inequality addressing everywhere.

There are many things that caused gender inequality in society. Some common causes are listed below.

• Unequal pay for women
• Unequal treatment in household
• Unequal treatment in the work field
• Sexual harassment
• Unequal representation of women in politics and administration
• Body shaming
• Sexual exploitation
• Misrepresentation of women in media.

We can apply gender inequality and explain it through different sociological theories. Different sociologists view gender inequality in different ways. Important theories are explained below.

The Functionalist perspective

Fictional ism view society is made up of different interdependent parts that contributed to the functioning of the whole society. Functionalism sees gender inequality help to maintain the division of labor in society and that helps to ensure in society.

The feminist perspective

Feminist perspective largely addressing the issues of gender inequality. Its base and primary focus is on gender inequality. Feminist theory try to understand and examine women's role, experiences, issues, and factors causing inequality. It also tries to make ways to encounter this gender inequality in society.

Conflict perspective

Conflict theory on gender inequality view that the men subordinate and exploit women in order to maintain power structure in society. conflict perspective sees society is a place of the struggle of social groups over scarce society. According to conflict theory society is divide by two groups the people who own resources and power and people who possess labor power other than nothing. As same as the conflict theory on gender inequality sees in this way. Society is divided into dominated men and subordinated women. According to conflict theory, social problems occur because the dominant group oppresses the subordinate group.

Interactionist perspective

According to the interactionist perspective, the social process is occurring by human interaction and meanings created by people through interaction. The interactionist perspective explains gender inequality through socialization and interaction made by the people. Socialization reinforces the people to act and behave according to their gender.

Gender inequality is a wide topic and there are many explained and put forward numerous theories. Those are the important theoretical perspectives that cover different views on gender inequality.