Lecture Outline: Gender Inequality and Family Issues
Sex (D&B, Ch 4)
Gender (D&B, Ch 4) [See Alvarez et al. web rdg. for example of how gender roles have changed in military]
Sexual Orientation
Harassment re: Sexual orientation (D&B ch. 4)
(& how these 3 things are inter-related, esp. first 2, Sex and Gender)
Indiana new “religious freedom” law allowing discrimination against homosexuals (lecture only)
.
Wage / Pay Gap (D&B, Ch 4) & Walmart example
Discrimination / Sexism (D&B Ch 4) – e.g., sexual harassment… as well as many other issues noted in readings, such as wage gap
Rape & Sexual Assault on College Campuses and in the Military, and what are the barriers to seeking justice, “blaming the victim,” etc. (Valentiet al. web rdg., Alvarez et al. web rdg.)
-- Also how female victims challenge universities on the problem and force change in Amherst College case (Valenti et al.) —an example of Human Agency vs. Social Structure.
-- In military, not just women are victims of sexual assault… (Alvarez et al.)
-- Human Agency vs. Social Structure (concept from intro. unit, D&B ch,. 1) –illustrated in cases of college rape victims who challenge university’s poor treatment of them (failure to investigate, victim blaming, etc.). They are forcing universities to change, albeit slowly… (Valenti et al web rdg.)
Guest Lecture on Domestic Violence by Karen Hughes of Life Crisis Center [There will be at least 1 test question on this]:Key points—Domestic violence (definition), Types & Examples of it, Cycle of Violence, Power & Control wheel, Why victims stay, Effects on Children, etc.
Family Issues:
Divorce frequency. Effects of Divorce on children—how frequent are problems, esp. compared to kids in non-divorced families. How do income decreases, moving, and custody conflicts affect kids? Main cause of problems for kids in divorce (re: parents) (Coontz, rdg. 32 in Ch & Vig., D&B ch. 5)
Problems with Child Care in America (cost & quality)? What might be done to improve it? (Bergmann & Helburn rdg. 33 in Ch. & Vig.)
Other things to focus on not covered in class:
Sexual violence risk faced by females in poor African American neighborhoods. Frequency of Sexual harassment and Sexual violence against teen girls. Attitudes toward victims. (Miller rdg. 25 in C&V)
Obstacles and mistreatment faced by homosexual students, in high schools and on college campuses? How does a “neutral policy on homosexuality” affect the school climate in one High School? (Eckholm et al. web rdg., & D&B Chapter 4 on GLBTQ college climate)
“Role overload” affecting women in families; second shift problem. (D&B ch. 5)
Family leave -- US vs. other countries. (D&B ch. 5)
See also, group discussion questions, as they list a lot of key issues (many covered in class).