Economics of Gender

Chapter 1

Assist.Prof.Dr.Meltem INCE YENILMEZ

Introduction

What is this course about?–Women and their economic lives– Focusing on marriage, fertility and the labor force

decisions of women– Explaining changes over time and variation across

women within their decisions

Changes in Women's Lives Since 1960

Why to Focus on Women?

• Most economics courses are about men• From an economic standpoint, women are more interesting•Topics are of a more personal nature and therefore easy to relate to

Economic Analysis

• Mainstream Economics–Microeconomic analysis:

• Constrained optimization• Called neoclassical economics• Theories to explain• Focus on the positive versus the normative

Basic Sociological Concepts

• All social interaction is gendered• Status or Role?– Sociologically, status refers to a social position – Role refers to the expected behavior of a person

occupying a particular status or position

• Norms – Shared rules that guide behavior within a status

Sociological Distinctions of Sex & Gender

• Sex– Biological–We are Male or Female– Ascribed status

• Gender – Social, cultural, and psychological–Masculine or Feminine– Achieved status

Theoretical Perspectives: Parson & Bales’ Functionalism

• Basic Ideas– “Macro” perspective– Interdependent parts– Social stability– Balance– Equilibrium– Value consensus holds society together

Theoretical Perspectives: Marx & Engels’ Conflict Theory

• Basic Ideas– Class based struggle for power and control– Scarce resources– The dominant want to maintain and increase

resources and power– The dominated want to gain power and resources

Theoretical Perspectives: Blumer’s Symbolic Interactionism

• Basic Ideas– “Micro” perspective– Social interaction is a dynamic process– Importance of meaning in interactions – Definition of the situation– End point fallacy– Context of the social interaction– Social construction of reality

Feminist Sociological Theory

• Bridges micro-macro gap• Illuminates androcentric bias• Challenges a status quo that is disadvantageous

to women• Compatible with Conflict Theory in

emphasizing empowerment of women• Compatible with Symbolic Interactionism in

definition of the situation and in impression management

Liberal Feminism

• Moderate or mainstream feminism• Cause of women’s oppression – Lack of access to equal opportunity

• Solutions– Education and Achievement

• Discussion: What critiques do you have of liberal feminism?

Cultural Feminism

• Incorporated into other branches • Cause of women’s oppression– Feminine qualities are not valued

• Solution– Emphasize the positive qualities associated with

women’s roles

• Discussion: What critiques do you have of cultural feminism?

Socialist Feminism

• Based on Marxist model• Causes of women’s oppression– Capitalism and patriarchy

• Solutions – Do away with capitalism, private property, and

patriarchy–Men should renounce their privilege

• Discussion: What critiques do you have of socialist feminism?

Radical Feminism

• Causes of women’s oppression– Sexism and male domination

• Solutions– Separate institutions–Woman-identified society

• Discussion: What critiques do you have of radical feminism?

Multicultural & Global Feminism

• Causes of women’s oppression – Intersection of gender, race, social class, and

colonization – Historical and cultural factors

•  Solution – Empowerment of women across the globe

• Discussion: What critiques do you have of multicultural and global feminism?

Ecofeminism

• Newer branch of feminism• Cause of women’s oppression – Patriarchal domination upset earth’s ecosystem

• Solution – Equality of all living things, through political action

• Discussion: What critiques do you have of ecofeminism?

Feminism and the Media

• Media reinforces feminist stereotype– Emphasize disagreements between feminists– Seen as a joke or contempt is displayed

• Election 2008 and sexism in media portrayals of:– Hillary Rodham Clinton– Sarah Palin–Michelle Obama