DOCSLIB.ORG

11 Gender and Sexuality

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
11 Gender and Sexuality distribute or post, copy, imageBROKER/Alamy Stock Photo not Do 11 GENDER AND SEXUALITY 224 Copyright ©2021 by SAGE Publications, Inc. This work may not be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without express written permission of the publisher Chapter 11 • Gender and Sexuality 225 LEARNING OBJECTIVES After reading this chapter, you should be able to: 11.1 Discuss the complexities of sex as described by anthropologists. 11.2 Discuss the complexities of gender as described by anthropologists. 11.3 Discuss the variations of transgender and LGBTQ persons found by anthropologists in different societies. 11.4 Describe the gender relations in foraging societies. 11.5 Discuss the importance of Margaret Mead’s study of gender relations in Papua New Guinea. 11.6 Describe gender relations and patriarchy in tribal societies. 11.7 Discuss gender in chiefdom societies. 11.8 Discuss gender and patriarchy in agricultural states. 11.9 Discuss the changes in gender in industrial and postindustrial societies. 11.10 Discuss gender relations in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. 11.11 What have anthropologists learned about sexuality in different societies?distribute or his chapter will discuss the anthropological research is based on the beliefs of the people of the groups being stud- on gender and sexuality by using a broad cross-cultural ied, while an etic understanding is based on the scientific Tand global perspective. In Chapter 10, we discussed the analysis offered by the anthropologist. social structure, including family, marriage, and age. There is some overlap in the discussion of social structure with the topic of gender relations as presented in this chapter. For THE COMPLEXITIES OF SEX example, in Chapter 10, we discussed the research on post,patrilin- eal, matrilineal, ambilineal, and bilateral forms of descent that 11.1 Discuss the complexities of sex as described by anthropologists. anthropologists have found in many societies. As we will see in this chapter, these patterns of descent have an influence on When anthropologists discuss relationships between males and gender relations, especially on the cultural norms and values females in a society, they distinguish between sex and gender. that have an impact on male and female relationships. We dis- Sex refers to the biological and anatomical differences between cuss both classical and contemporary anthropological research males and females. These differences include the primary sex- on this topic. However, this chaptercopy, goes beyond the research ual characteristics—the sex organs—and the secondary sexual regarding males and females to describe the wide variation in characteristics, such as breasts and wider hips for females and gender roles found in different societies throughout the world. more muscular development of the upper torso, larger body In addition to the variation in gender roles discussed, we go on size, and extensive body hair for males. Note that these are gen- to examine thenot cross-cultural differences in human sexuality eral tendencies, to which many exceptions exist. That is, many that anthropologists have found in various societies. males are smaller and lighter and have less body hair than many We begin the chapter with an overview of the complexities females. Nevertheless, in general, males and females are univer- that anthropologists find when examining sex and gender. In sally distinguished by physiological and anatomical differences previousDo chapters, we addressed the role of biology and cul- (Stone 2013). And, as discussed in Chapter 1 (pp. 15–16), ture in the formation of human behavior. This chapter will young children easily acquire “essentialist” beliefs about males continue to draw on this biocultural orientation in present- and females. ing the complexities of sex and gender. Additionally, read- Although the vast majority of human bodies can be recog- ers should keep in mind the distinction between etic and nized as belonging to one of two biological sexes, there are some emic approaches used by anthropologists (see Chapter 7, complexities of sex differences. Normally, humans have forty-six pp. 125–126). An emic understanding of gender and sexuality chromosomes, of which two—X and Y—are sex chromosomes. Copyright ©2021 by SAGE Publications, Inc. This work may not be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without express written permission of the publisher 226 Part II • Studying Different Societies A woman’s large gametes (eggs) each carry one X, and a man’s small gametes (sperm) have about an equal division between those with an X and those with a Y. When the sperm and egg fuse, the sexual destiny of the fertilized fetus is determined. Usu- ally, males have an X and a Y chromosome (XY), and females have two Xs (XX). After about six weeks of fetal development, a biochemical structure called the indifferent gonad will eventually produce the sex differences for female ovaries or male testes. The Y chromosome plays the key sex-determining role. Typically, one gene carried on the Y chromosome stimulates biochemical changes that produce testes and the hormone (androgen) testos- terone, which influences the development of male primary and secondary sex characteristics. If the Y chromosome is absent, the indifferent gonad produces the ovaries and the hormone estro- gen or progesterone, which produces female primary and sec- ondary sex characteristics. However, in some individual cases, the genes can produce what is called androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), when even in the presence of a Y chromosome, female external genitalia can appear. AIS is an intersex genetic condition that distribute Sport Madison/GettyDavid Images results in the inability of the cell to respond to male hormones or androgens. Thus, a person with AIS and XY can have either male or female genitalia and sometimes something in between. In other cases, there may be mismatches between external or appearance (the phenotype) and the genes on sex chromo- somes (the genotype). Individuals can sometimes have the XX sex chromosomes; however, they appear externally as males. Thus, a fertilized human egg that is XY can end up producing Melissa (Missy) Marlowe, an Olympic gymnast with Turner syndrome. an individual who looks like a female, and one that is XX can produce someone who looks like a male. post, Other possible combinations of two sex chromosomes can is based on experience and folk beliefs held by members of dif- produce intermediate sexes with external genitalia, individuals ferent societies such as wearing warm clothing in cold weather or who have a penis and ovaries or a vagina with testes. In some rare carrying an umbrella if it is raining. Geertz describes how in the occurrences, individuals who have Turner syndrome have just United States every so often an individual is born with both male one X chromosome (XO). These individuals have the bodies of and female genitalia. These intersexed individuals were viewed women. (All humans must have an X chromosome to produce with horror and disgust by many Americans, and most American sufficient biochemical processes to sustain life.)copy, Although Turner parents of these intersexed infants agreed immediately to have syndrome can result in short stature or other medical problems, a elective surgery to correct this abnormality. However, Geertz world-class Belgian-born American gymnast, Missy Marlowe, who noted that such intersexed individuals are viewed differently by participated in the Olympics in Seoul, Korea, in 1988, has this the Native American Navajo, who express wonder and awe toward condition. Turner syndromenot occurs in between 1 in 2,000 and 1 them as gifted spiritual leaders. Thus, common sense and normal- in 5,000 live-born females (Donaldson et al. 2006). In other cases, ity differ in respect to sex differences across the world. there are individuals with extra X chromosomes. They can be XXY As these complexities of sex differences indicate, there are or XXX. If individuals with these extra Xs have a Y chromosome, questions that arise regarding whether sex is completely binary they will appearDo male; if not, they will appear female. based on biological differences. A recent essay by biological In general, the number of people with a mismatch between anthropologist Alexandra Kralick (2018) questions the absolute chromosomes and hormones, or with ambiguous genitalia, is binary of sex differences based on anatomical sex differences. small, under 1 percent. But in a world population of 7 billion peo- During the early years of athletic competition in the Olympics, ple, a fraction of 1 percent is still a lot of individuals. In comparing female athletes had to have their genitals inspected to deter- “common sense” and “normality” across various societies, the late mine if they were truly female. Later, in the 1960s, the Olym- anthropologist Clifford Geertz (1983) gave an example regarding pic officials began to test for sex chromosomes through blood the complexities of sex differences. He compares commonsense tests. Kralick begins her essay by describing the case of María knowledge as it differs from scientific knowledge. Common sense José Martínez-Patiño, an Olympic track and field athlete for the Copyright ©2021 by SAGE Publications, Inc. This work may not be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without express written permission of the publisher Chapter 11 • Gender and Sexuality 227 Spanish national team who medaled during the mid-1980s. She not mean that males are more intelligent than females. If absolute was externally entirely female and did not have unusually high brain size mattered in determining intelligence, whales would testosterone levels for a woman. However, when tested for sex be much more intelligent than humans (Konner 2015). When chromosomes, the results came back as XY instead of XX. Based comparing the proportional and relative size of the body and on these test results, Martínez-Patiño was ejected from the Olym- brains of whales and humans, we find that humans have much pics, and her records and medals were taken from her because of larger brains than whales.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Facing Politics and Power in Anthropology
    PART ONE: POWER AND POLITICS FROM STATELESS SOCIETIES TO GLOBAL CAPITALISM FACINGFACING POLITICSPOLITICS ANDAND POWERPOWER ININ ANTHROPOLOGYANTHROPOLOGY Early Anthropological Perspectives on Power Power and social stratification Power and “complex societies” Politics is the process by which power is distributed and decisions are made Weber: power—coercion & authority Early Anthropological Perspectives on Power AUTHORITY: 1. Legal-Rational Authority 2. Traditional Authority 3. Charismatic Authority Typologies of Power and Political Systems Evolutionary typologies Kinship to State --Maine (1861): Status vs. Contract --Morgan (1877): Descent group vs. Property --Engels (1884): Kinship vs. Territory --Durkheim (1893): Mechanical vs. Organic Solidarity --Mauss (1925): Gift exchange vs. Commodity exchange Typologies of Power and Political Systems Service (1962) Sahlins (1963) Childe (1936) Fried (1967) Johnson and Earle (1987) Earle (1978) Hunter- Band (family level) Head man Egalitarian society gatherers Farmers Tribe (local group) Big man Ranked society Civilization Chiefdom Simple Stratified Society Complex Stratified society State State State State Typologies of Power and Political Systems Structural-Functionalist correspondences: Meyer Fortes & E. E. Evans-Pritchard (1940:5-6) sub-Saharan Africa, two forms of polity: “primitive states”—kingship & office “stateless societies”—descent Typologies of Power and Political Systems --evolution of social complexity as a political process --control over labour of non-kin --Elman Service (1962): Band,
    [Show full text]
  • Families and Their Social Worlds 2Nd Edition Seccombe Test Bank
    Families and their Social Worlds 2nd Edition Seccombe Test Bank Full Download: https://alibabadownload.com/product/families-and-their-social-worlds-2nd-edition-seccombe-test-bank/ Chapter 2 Families Throughout the World: Marriage, Family, and Kinship 2.1 Multiple Choice Questions 1) According to anthropologist William Stephens, the definition of marriage includes four important components. Which is NOT one of them? A) a socially legitimate sexual union B) a public announcement C) contains some ideas about permanence D) involves one man and one woman E) assumes an explicit marriage contract that spells out reciprocal obligations between spouses, and between spouses and their children Answer: D Diff: 2 Page Ref: 41 2) Families are found throughout the world. Despite their diversity, there are many critical universal features of families. Which is NOT one of these universal features? A) marriage B) regulation of sexual behavior C) reproduction and socializing children D) taking care of the elderly E) property and inheritance Answer: D Diff: 2 Page Ref: 41-43 3) Deeya is a graduate of Yale University. This is an example of a/an: A) ascribed status B) achieved status C) bilateral status D) exogamy E) gemeinschaft Answer: B Diff: 2 Page Ref: 42 4) Laurel is a White teenager who lives in Beverly Hills, CA with her wealthy parents. Her sex, race, and social class are examples of a/an: A) ascribed status B) achieved status C) neolocal status D) endogamy E) gesellschaft Answer: A Diff: 2 Page Ref: 42 5) As a student, you usually take notes in class. Student is your ________; taking notes is your ________.
    [Show full text]
  • Slide 1. Lecture 9 Family Level Societies (Bands)
    Slide 1. Lecture 9 Family Level Societies (Bands) Slide 1. Definitions Achieved Status- Social status and prestige gained by personal abilities and skills rather than inheritance. Egalitarian- Societies in which all members have equal access to resources contingent on age and sex. Reciprocity- roughly equivalent exchanges of goods and services between individuals involving simple barter and/or gifts in face-to-face exchanges. Slide 3. Bands- Family Level Organization Family Level- bilateral, flexible kinship Small, mobile, Egalitarian, non-territorial hunting and gathering Strong Sharing ethics – “We hunt to share” Sexual division of labor lack of formal government and economic institutions Status is achieved rather than acquired, as many leadership positions exists as warranted by circumstances and number of qualified people. Violence- present but no institutional warfare Slide 4. Men go for risky prey (big animals) Slide 5. Women go for reliable prey (plants and small animals) Slide 6. Men tend to share to gain mating opportunities and build prestige in the group. Slide 7. Women tend to share to feed offspring, provision kin networks, and maintain cooperative relationships with other women. Slide 8. Reciprocity- Food Sharing/ Sexual Division of Labor In most band societies, men and women procure different sets of prey. Food procured by both sexes is shared- however, objectives seem to differ. Women tend to share to feed offspring, provision kin networks, and maintain cooperative relationships with other women. Men tend to share to gain mating opportunities, and build prestige and status in the group, Slide 9. Case 1 The Shoshone of the Great Basin (also includes Paiute) Slide 10.
    [Show full text]
  • STUDIES of SOCIAL STRATIFICATION and SOCIAL MOBILITY in JAPAN: 1955-1967 by Ken'ichi Tominaga
    STUDIES OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION AND SOCIAL MOBILITY IN JAPAN: 1955-1967 by Ken'ichi Tominaga Research Trends After World War I when the Japanese economy had, for the first time, reached a high level of capitalist development, liberal intellectuals began to debate such questions as the poverty of the working class and the future of the middle class. Discussions of social class revolved mainly around socialist ideas. At the same time, sociology began to emerge as distinct from socialist thought, and we may trace the study of "social stratification" by Japanese sociologists from the 1920's (see Tominaga 1965 for a bibliography). After World War 11, many new concepts derived from empirical surveys in American sociology and anthropology were introduced to Japan. Survey techniques such as Warner's method of "Evaluated Participation" and "Index of Status Characteristics" (Warner et a1 1949) and ideas such as those contained in Center's interest group theory" (1949) were discussed in the 1950's and related to traditional concepts of "social class" (Yamamoto 1956; Hamajima 1956). The two earliest empirical studies of social stratification in Japan were conducted in 1952 (Yasuda 1953; Kido and Sugi 1953; Hibi 1953; Odaka and Nishihira 1953; Nihon Shakaigakukai Chosaiinkai 1954). Kido and Sugi investigated "authoritariandemocratic" and "conservative-progressive" attitudes of Tokyo residents in relation to their socioeconomic status. Using the data from a survey of six large cities, Odaka and Nishihira attempted to measure social status in terms of occupational prestige, education, and in- come, and also to measure inter- and intragenerational social mobility. This study provided the Japanese data for a comparison of occupational prestige in six nations (Inkeles and Rossi 1956).
    [Show full text]
  • The African Affairs Reader
    THE AFRICAN AFFAIRS READER The African Affairs Reader Key Texts in Politics, Development, and International Relations Edited by NIC CHEESEMAN, LINDSAY WHITFIELD, AND CARL DEATH 1 3 Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX2 6DP, United Kingdom Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University Press in the UK and in certain other countries © Nic Cheeseman, Lindsay Whitfield, and Carl Death 2017 Any copyright line exceptions for title verso: Chapter 3 © Royal African Society 2004 Chapter 4 © The Author 2007 Chapter 5 © The Author 2015 Chapter 7 © Royal African Society 2004 Chapter 8 © Royal African Society 2003 Chapter 9 © The Author 2012 Chapter 11 © The Author 2010 Chapter 12 © The Author 2015 Chapter 13 © The Author 2014 Chapter 15 © Royal African Society 2001 Chapter 16 © The Author 2013 Chapter 17 © The Author 2012 Chapter 18 © The Author 2012 The moral rights of the authors have been asserted First Edition published in 2017 Impression: 1 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press, or as expressly permitted by law, by licence or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights organization. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to the
    [Show full text]
  • University of Sioux Falls Sociology Study Guide
    University of Sioux Falls Sociology Study Guide Core Areas: concepts, terms, and theories Socialization primary groups secondary groups instrumental leadership expressive leadership groupthink reference group relative deprivation in groups out groups ascribed status achieved status master status role conflict role strain role exit looking glass self nature vs. nurture agents of socialization Gender sex vs. gender the “Female Advantage” in business biological vs. social differences between men and women gender stratification feminism Health Care statistics: international and national health inequalities pros and cons: holistic medicine vs. scientific medicine unique characteristics of medicine in capitalist societies euthanasia socialized medicine HMO direct-fee system Education statistics: high school graduation rates and college attendance rates functions of schooling how schooling can contribute to social inequality functional illiteracy tracking The Family patriarchy matriarchy gender roles polygamy polygyny polyandry patrilineal descent matrilineal descent endogamy exogamy Development of this review sheet was made possible by funding from the US Department of Education through South Dakota’s EveryTeacher Teacher Quality Enhancement grant. Social Class and the Economy economy primary economic sector secondary economic sector tertiary economic sector globalization invisible hand social class social status monopoly oligopoly relative deprivation class society Crime white collar crime deviance labeling theory corporate crime crimes against
    [Show full text]
  • Gender, Race, and Male Privilege in Post- Modern Society
    Athens Journal of Social Sciences Volume 6, Issue 2 – Pages 89-98 Gender, Race, and Male Privilege in Post- Modern Society By Richard D. Christy The literature in sociology and the current discussions in the media, identify a growing crisis in modern masculinity. Various social indicators support this claim. At the same time, there is an enduring assumption that males in post-modern society live lives of privilege. In a social era increasingly based on achieved status some males succeed, others fail, and not all males are equal. What are the social and cultural changes in gender and race? Is it possible that the social script for boys, young men and men of all racial groups prevent them from succeeding in post-modern Canada and the United States? Have males inherited a "male code" inappropriate for the "information society"? Kaufman argues in Cracking the Armour that "the old rules of the game have broken down. A genuine profound crisis of masculinity is sweeping North America and Europe and is beginning to reach to the rest of the world"(Kaufman, 1993) What is the emerging picture of male privilege when you examine men and mortality rates, life expectancy, men and violence, unemployment rates and graduation rates and post-secondary education? Keywords: male domination, male privilege, men and violence, "whiteness", misandry. Introduction Few topics in sociology are more controversial than gender, race and economic inequalities. Many researchers conclude that social and economic inequalities are the result of institutional patriarchy, capitalism, racism and globalism. Research on social injustice and economic inequality primarily focused on women, visible minorities, and indigenous people.
    [Show full text]
  • Precedence Social Differentiation in the Austronesian World
    Precedence Social Differentiation in the Austronesian World Precedence Social Differentiation in the Austronesian World edited by MichAel P. ViScher Published by ANU E Press The Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200, Australia Email: [email protected] This title is also available online at: http://epress.anu.edu.au/precedence_citation.html National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Title: Precedence : social differentiation in the Austronesian world / editor: Michael P. Vischer. ISBN: 9781921536465 (pbk.) 9781921536472 (pdf) Series: Comparative Austronesian series. Notes: Bibliography. Subjects: Differentiation (Sociology) Social control. Social structure. Precedence. Other Authors/Contributors: Vischer, Michael P. Dewey Number: 303.33 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Cover design by ANU E Press Printed by University Printing Services, ANU This edition © 2009 ANU E Press Table of Contents Acknowledgements xiii 1. Precedence in perspective 1 James J.Fox 2. Origin and Precedence: The construction and distribution of status 13 in the highlands of Bali Thomas A. Reuter 3. Distinguishing Hierarchy and Precedence: Comparing status 51 distinctions in South Asia and the Austronesian world, with special reference to South Sulawesi Greg Acciaioli 4. The Discourse and Practice of Precedence 91 James J. Fox 5. Trunk and Tip in West Timor: Precedence in a botanical idiom 111 Andrew McWilliam 6. Precedence in the Formation of the Domain of Wai Brama and the 133 Rajadom of Sikka E. D. Lewis 7. Precedence, Contestation, and the Deployment of Sacred Authority in a Florenese Village 167 David Butterworth 8.
    [Show full text]
  • Trakun, Politics and the Thai State Katja Rangsivek
    Trakun, Politics and the Thai State Katja Rangsivek To cite this version: Katja Rangsivek. Trakun, Politics and the Thai State. Social Anthropology and ethnology. University of Copenhagen, 2013. English. tel-00850357 HAL Id: tel-00850357 https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00850357 Submitted on 6 Aug 2013 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. TRAKUN, POLITICS AND THE THAI STATE Katja Rangsivek Southeast Asian Studies Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies Prinicipal Supervisor: Dr. Dr.phil. Cynthia Gek Hua Chou Associate Professor with Special Qualifications Southeast Asian Studies Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies Co-Supervisor: Dr. Martin B. Platt Associate Professor Southeast Asian Studies Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies PhD Thesis February 2013 Faculty of Humanities University of Copenhagen i ii Abstract in English Political trakun are patrilineages that have distinguished themselves through engaging in politics over several generations by filling key positions of the state, such as the cabinet and parliament. The study of political trakun though has not yet been given academic attention. Despite most accounts of Thai political history being simultaneously the accounts of the royal and other elite families, little research has aimed to understand the entanglement of families and the state.
    [Show full text]
  • Glossary of Cross Cultural Terms
    Glossary of Cross Cultural Terms Acculturation Difficulty - A problem stemming from an inability to appropriately adapt to a different culture or environment. The problem is not based on any coexisting mental disorder. Achieved Status - Social status and prestige of an individual acquired as a result of individual accomplishments (cf. ascribed status). Adaptation - is a process of reconciliation and of coming to terms with a changed socio- cultural environment by making "adjustments" in one's cultural identity. It is also a stage of intercultural sensitivity, which may allow the person to function in a bicultural capacity. In this stage, a person is able to take the perspective of another culture and operate successfully within that culture. The person should know enough about his or her own culture and a second culture to allow a mental shift into the value scheme of the other culture, and an evaluation of behaviour based on its norms, rather than the norms of the individual's culture of origin. This is referred to as "cognitive adaptation." The more advanced form of adaptation is "behavioural adaptation," in which the person can produce behaviours appropriate to the norms of the second culture. Adaptation may also refer to patterns of behavior which enable a culture to cope with its surroundings. Adaptation Level - Individual standards of comparison for evaluating properties of physical and social environment such as crowding and noise. Advocacy View - of applied anthropology is the belief that as anthropologists have acquired expertise on human problems and social change, and because they study, understand, and respect cultural values, they should be responsible for making policies affecting people.
    [Show full text]
  • ("Primitives" and "Peasants") Are Fundamentally Different from Our Own
    171 DEMAND AND INCENTIVES TO PRODUCE IN A TRADITIONAL SOCIETY1 James G. Peoples Department of Anthropology University of California Davis, California This paper will attempt to evaluate the impact of an "ascrip- tive" pattern of recruitment in social class membership on production performance in a traditional Micronesian society. This problem relates to a wider one in the literature on economic development, namely the impact of sociocultural institutions, norms, beliefs, and values, on economic progress. It also relates to an even wider assumption in the social sciences which has profoundly influenced the quality of research on the relationship between "society" and "economy." This assumption is that societies may be classified into two types which differ from each other not only in degree but in kind as well. In sociology, Tonnies was one of the first to make explicit this assumption. He distinguished between "community" (gemeinschaft) and "society" (gesellschaft); sentimental and humanistic values characterizing social relationships in the former and purpose and rationalism the latter (Tonnies 1887). The two "giants" of sociology, Durkheim (1966) and Weber (1965), followed Tonnies on this matter, Durkheim distinguishing between "mechanical" and "organic" solidarity, and Weber between "tradi- tional" and "rational-legal" bases of authority. More recently, Talcott Parsons' "pattern variables" were put forth, in part, as an aid in understanding the two kinds of societies (Parsons 1951), 1962). Most of the members of the school of Economic Sociology also subscribe to this view (e.g., Smelser 1963; Smelser and Lipset 1966; Parsons and Smelser 1956; Moore 1961). It might be thought that anthropology, with its emphasis on the relativity of social institutions and values, would not subscribe to the view that "traditional" societies are different in kind from our own "modern" form.
    [Show full text]
  • Ascribed Status? Ascribed Status Is Neither Earned Nor Chosen; It Is Assigned to Us
    Social Structure and Society Social Structure and Status The underlying pattern of social relationships in a group is called social structure. Status is one very important element of social structure. Status is a position a person occupies within a social structure. Status helps us define who and what we are in relation to others within the same social structure. Sociologists are interested in the relationships among social statuses. Everyone Has Status Social statuses do not exist in isolation. All statuses are interrelated with other statuses. What is an ascribed status? Ascribed status is neither earned nor chosen; it is assigned to us. At birth, an infant is either male or female. We do not choose our gender. Age is another example of an ascribed social status. In some societies, religion and social class are ascribed by the family of birth. If you were born into a lower-class home in India, for example, you would not be permitted to rise to a higher social class. How is status achieved? Achieved status is possible where people have some degree of control and choice. In most modern societies, an individual can decide to become a spouse or a parent. Occupations are also achieved statuses in modern societies where people have freedom to choose their work. What is a status set? A status set is all of the statuses that a person occupies at any particular time. Chapter 7 Are all of a person’s statuses equal? Master statuses are important because they influence most other aspects of the person’s life. In industrial societies, occupations–achieved, for the most part–are master statuses because your occupation strongly influences such matters as where you live, how well you live, and how long you live.
    [Show full text]