In every community, there is a gender structure that provides bodies with inequality through the sex category. Consequently, gender derived from social structure concept has implications to members of the society, their personalities, and identities bringing effect on choices made. In a recent study, researchers argue that gender has to be conceptualized as a social structure. By doing so gender can be analyzed in better ways regarding the individual, institutional, and an intriguing interactions dimensions of the society. The researchers further argue that an intersectionality concern should be paramount because other social inequalities lead to a different form of influence at a given time (Lee & Huang, 2018). This paper aims to discuss the background of gender likened to social structure and analysis through application of theories to explain division of labor.
Background
Before analyzing the theory of gender being likened to a social structure, a mental conception framework is paramount to know the definition of social science. A concept to grasp confusing four scientific social distinct is essential. The first tradition emphasizes the emanation of different sexes, whether regarded as biological. The second tradition, perceived to be the best, came into being due to a reaction to the initial one. The practice focuses on social roles and structure instead of the first (Risman, 2004). The third tradition emphasizes the individual capacity to interact and portray accountability and responsibility to their colleagues. This is as a result of an individual reaction in perception to the first and second traditions. All social structural theories should make assumptions of individuals, and therefore derive presumptions of social control.
As children grow in society, they belong to a given culture that provides different social interactions. The recent integrative approach views genders as a notion that is constructed socially in a stratification dynamic. In a past study, a researcher suggested that gender can be compared to an institution that relies on activities of a daily life following social organizations. The researcher further argues that gender difference satisfies stratification in sex. The perception of gender is native unless viewed from a different angle making, inequality challenging to justify. The study provided scientific, literature, and cross-cultural evidence to insinuate that disparity in gender is constructed socially and justifies stratification universally. The main aim of gender as used in the social institution is to ensure women become subordinate to running families (Risman, 2004). The perception of gender disparities forms an embedment where inequalities rest. The term institution is adversely used to insinuate a particular feature in society. The structure of gender appears in individuals and throughout life as well.
The definition of gender likened to social structure colloquial the comparison to economics, political planes since, for a long time, priority has been given to economic and political structures. The structuralists share a piece of concrete and candid evidence that social structures exist in individuals’ external motives. Life does an individual work, thus creating a working environment that is influential to colleagues. As a result, observation of structure leads to gender being conceptualized. The term structure refers to a dual relationship between an action and a structure. An essential and lucrative aspect of the structure is a constraint that enhances men and women to be allocated different roles to perform in society (Risman, 2004). The social evaluation of gender is critical in understanding why other subjects prefer one alternative.
Analysis
The theory of gender likened to social structure provides a theoretical lens in which a grasp of gender is portrayed differently. First, the theoretical notion provides a study order established to elaborate more on gender inequality. The investigative study questions are compared to a jigsaw piece and show how other parts can coordinate research findings. Gender, as viewed by social science, is a predicament to comprehend and have an understanding of it. The concept provides a connection and integration between cultural and gendered selves (Risman, 2004). As a result, a detailed elaboration about interactional patterns and regulations of an institution allows the research tradition discussed earlier to make sense and have purpose in the society.
The theory of wrestling with activism leaves modern ideas lucrative to the science version. The views are portrayed in approaches geared to compare against each other using a loser or winner competition. The splendid explanation of theory provides causes of gender inequalities and provides solutions to curb the effects. The idea offers a concrete layout of an academic career build-up. The model is lucrative in giving a simple and more accessible explanation to a social phenomenon perceived to be complex to grasp. Additionally, the model provides desired outcomes of gender and very essential in career-building (West & Zimmerman, 1987). Gender conceptualization as an aspect of social structure enhances richness in social theory as far as gender is concerned.
The other illustration of the gender structure theory in daily lives is that it permits the investigation of relationships based on strength and direction. The occurrence of change identification and analysis level for men and women is possible, especially in the historical moment. For instance, cultural ideology can be enhanced by investigating individuals practicing gender roles to those who do not participate in without considering arguments perceived to be unidirectional. To practice gender to achieve other outcomes becomes resourceful in establishing personalities that are gender oriented. Also, gendered institutions depend on the willingness of individuals to embrace gender. Members who are running to change their identities more often integrate their new selves to interact with colleagues, thus creating a new impressions and expectations from the society (Psylla et al., 2017). A practical example is when women are socially coerced to self-reflection and are regarded as sexual actors. Men are obligated to work and provide sexual orgasm as part of the cultural norms.
The advocacy of social movements’ activists of inequality among women has been considered a norm where women are subjected to low pay. The advocacy can lead to creating better jobs, career ladders between job management, and provision of opportunities that could have been locked, leading to change-facilitation in the institutions. Therefore, study change emerges to curb inequalities experienced in the past generations (West & Zimmerman, 1987). Studying about gender inequalities, it is vital in depicting positive changes in gender opportunities.
The wrestling with activism theory depicts the feature of conceptual framework schema of a notion of dynamism. The difference and notion of self-identities and moral responsibility influences expectations of interactions. The individual expectations of the culture in regards to gender as a social structure appears to be shaped differently. Personal changes commence from the institutional; as the changes precede, they reverberate at cultural outcomes. The prediction aimed at human beings is not possible because of the structure rejection of gender (Lee & Huang, 2018). Significant energy and time becomes wasteful since a central dimension is not yet recognized. Projects enhanced by feminists are essential in providing therapeutic responses to questions and thus achieving a prominent dimension.
The interpretation of gender being likened to social structure concept recognizes how inequalities are identified in different dimensions. The term ‘how’ aids in understanding the mechanisms given an intervention. For instance, if gender inequality brings a weak division of labor in the family, therapeutic interventions should be delivered. However, gender roles are greatly influenced by cultural and expectations outcomes of the society. The empirical illustration provides a theoretical elaboration for gender division of labor in families (West & Zimmerman, 1987). Also, the causal process is recognized empirically regarding gender structure. The complex concept of gender being derived from social structure originated from past history.
Conclusion
The priority should be to conceptualize gender to the aspect of social structure. By achieving that, analyzing gender in considering individuals, institutional dimensions, and interactional roles made more concise. Additionally, the concept of genders aids in extricating relative strength to given causation of mechanism. The tool for arranging research is essential in building knowledge to understand gender roles in society. A follow-up of therapeutic strategies is critical in grasping the race and social structure, among other structures. More research is paramount in enriching individuals with knowledge regarding gender as a social structure. If gender is created in society, perhaps other therapeutic studies can be offered, thus contributing additional effective solutions to feminism.
References
Lee, M., & Huang, L. (2018). Gender bias, social impact framing, and evaluation of entrepreneurial ventures. Organization Science, 29(1), 1-16.
Psylla, I., Sapiezynski, P., Mones, E., & Lehmann, S. (2017). The role of gender in social network organization. PloS One, 12(12), e0189873.
Risman, B. J. (2004). Gender as a social structure: Theory wrestling with activism. Gender & society, 18(4), 429-450.
West, C., & Zimmerman, D. H. (1987). Doing gender. Gender & Society, 1(2), 125-151.