Kimmel (2017) indicates that, “Social constructionism thus builds on the other social and behavioral sciences, adding specific dimensions to the exploration of gender” (p.114). Personally, I view this quote as meaning that the concept of gender acts as one of the key factors that define social institutions. Although the meaning of gender may vary from one culture to another, gender poses the same level of impact within social institutions taking into account that it defines social institutions as being “gendered” and not “gender neutral.” I tend to believe that the concept of gender serves as one of the key aspects to consider when embarking on social constructionism. That means that it becomes somewhat challenging for social institutions to build themselves as being gender neutral taking into account that a significant number of the societies often embrace ‘gendered’ views.
A good example of a social institution is the traditional family. When evaluating the traditional family, one is able to take note of the fact that each member of the family has a specific role to play, which is defined on the basis of gender. Each person within the family is expected to focus on his or her ‘gendered’ role as has been defined within the society as a whole. On the other hand, the traditional family may also be viewed as a social construction based on the idea that each member of the family finds him or herself in a rather proactive position of having to experience differentiation in gender roles. An example can be seen from the fact that the role of the father was considered as that of a provider with the mother being considered as having the role of taking care of the family.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The post-traditional family differs from the traditional family based on the fact that the roles of each member of the family is changing gradually. One key example can be seen from the fact that some of the women are taking up a key role in providing for their families, which is a role that had been set aside for the man. The post-traditional family differs from the traditional family considering that a significant number of the families today have single parents, which is an aspect that was not present in the traditional families. According to Kimmel (2017), the post-traditional family is better for the women considering that it is giving them a voice within the family setting, which was a major challenge for them in the traditional setting. Women, in the post-traditional families, are viewed as having the same capacities and abilities as the women, which gives them equal opportunities for success.
Kimmel (2017) indicates that, “Perhaps the most significant change in the relationship of gender and work is numerical-the enormous shift in the gender composition of the labor force” (p.248). In my view and understanding, the quote reflects on the fact that gender composition within the labor force is changing in a significant way. That can be seen from the fact that a significant number of women are joining the labor force in fields that were being reserved for the men in the society. That serves as a clear indication of the fact that indeed the labor force is changing in a significant manner. Moving into future, the change is much more likely to be evident based on the gender balance created between men and women in the labor force.
The first way that we can see M/W and M_W at play in the workplace is on the fact that a significant number of women are joining the workplace environment while taking up positions that were reserved for the men in the traditional societies. An example can be seen from the fact that the percentage of women in corporate boards is increasing significantly, which is seen as one of the key contributors to the change landscape in the workplace environment. The second way that we can see M/W and M_W at play in the workplace is on the fact that women are fighting for equality in the wages offered to them compared to the wages for the men. The fight for wage equality reflects on the fact that indeed it is becoming more apparent that the role of the women is changing significantly.
Wage gap refers to the inequality arises from the wages offered for men and women within the workplace environment. The role of gender in the family creates a distinction between the position of the man and that of the woman, which acts as a contributing factor to a significant gap created with regard to the wages. In my experience, gender has affected my work in a significant manner considering that I have found myself exposed to significant issues of discrimination on the basis of my gender. I have also experienced challenges in getting to specific positions considering that they are viewed as being ‘gendered.’ My experience fits with what Kimmel is saying because it reflects on the fact that I am likely to find myself exposed to a wide array of challenges arising on the basis of my gender.
References
Kimmel, M. (2017). The Gendered Society, 6 th edition. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
