SOC 101 Study Guide - Gerda Lerner, Secondary Sex Characteristic, Social Inequality

• School: University at Buffalo
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 101
• Professor: Christopher Mele

Document Summary

A few sociologists, however, believe that biological differences account for these differences in behavior. High-testosterone men from higher social classes are less likely to be involved in anti-social behaviors than high-testosterone men from lower social classes. This suggests that social factors, as well as biological factors, affect the relationship between male testosterone and aggression. As those social arrangements vary from society to society, so do men"s and women"s work assignments. The division of labor along gender lines does not, by itself, constitute social inequality. What constitutes social inequality is the fact that, universally, greater prestige is given to male activities, regardless of the activity. When delivering babies was women"s work (done by midwives), it was afforded low prestige. When licensed doctors, primarily male, took over the task, the prestige of the activity increased dramatically. It is not the work that provides the prestige, but the sex with which the work is associated.