Answer to Question #233216 in Sociology for slindile mchunu

Question

Discuss the term social stratification. In your essay discuss how inequalities are patterned through divisions of economy, gender, sexuality, age and ethnicity. Draw on examples in the South African context to support your argument.

Answer 1

Gender stratification refers to a social hierarchy in which men hold higher social status than women. Gender inequality and gender stratification are sometimes used interchangeably. The scholarly arguments center on which aspects of disparities are more critical, as well as the scale at which inequalities are created and perpetuated. Researchers have been pushed to look at gender, race, and class disparities from an intersectional viewpoint rather than considering gender as separate from race and class. In gender stratification studies, there is a minimal acknowledgment of the heteronormativity that exists. That may alter when more information on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression becomes accessible.

We highlight important topics of gender stratification research in this section. Gender stratification can be studied at the micro-level, examining individual outcomes and interactions, or at the macro level, comparing gender inequalities indexes across countries. Even though welfare state research explores various topics both within and across societies, it is handy for understanding how state policies can influence gender stratification patterns. Gender disparity in education, economic resources, and family life are all intertwined in people's lives, but several research strands have arisen and will be examined individually. Although we offer instances of studies indicating that gendered health disparities result from gender inequality within societies, this is not the case in all health research. Men have historically been the focus of crime, migration, and citizenship research. However, a recent trend to explicitly incorporate women and gender more widely can potentially impact other areas of gender stratification research.