Question

When they got married, Sofiya and Brandon planned to equally share all household duties, from laundry to dishes. However, because Sofiya worked from 3 pm until midnight, and Brandon worked from 9 am to 5 pm, the duties wound up split unevenly. Sofiya wound up doing more of the grocery shopping, while Brandon did more food preparation and clean-up. Which criticism of symbolic interactionist theories of gender and sexuality does this illustrate?

Answer 1

The scenario with Sofiya and Brandon illustrates a criticism of symbolic interactionist theories in terms of gender roles and the sharing of household labor, showing how traditional gender norms and economic constraints result in unequal domestic workload despite intentions of equality.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario described with Sofiya and Brandon might illustrate a criticism of symbolic interactionist theories of gender and sexuality. Symbolic interactionism, a sociological perspective that views the world in terms of symbols and the meanings assigned to them, suggests that gender roles and the division of household labor are socially constructed and continuously defined and redefined through daily interactions and social norms. However, the unequal division of labor highlights an inconsistency, where real-life constraints and traditional gender norms lead to a skewed sharing of responsibilities that devalues the domestic work typically associated with female roles.

In the context of conflict theory, which looks at the division of labor as a source of inequality and power imbalance, Sofiya's and Brandon's situation could exemplify how economic factors, working schedules, and societal expectations often leave women with a disproportionate share of domestic tasks, in addition to their paid employment outside the home. This creates a double burden or "second shift" for women, reinforcing traditional gender roles and hindering true equality within the household, despite symbolic interactionists' view that family roles are fluid and negotiated.

This criticism is underscored by the historical context regarding women's work and domestic responsibilities, as well as studies on marital satisfaction linked to the equitable distribution of housework. The scenario questions the effectiveness of symbolic interactionism in addressing deep-seated power and labor imbalances at home, especially in the light of work outside the home not leading to significant changes in domestic roles and responsibilities.

Answer 2

Feminist Theory is the criticism of symbolic interactionist theories of gender and sexuality this illustrate

Step-by-step explanation:

In the sociologist studies carried out on the perspective on genders was able to group the relationship between genders and the likely result to actualise. For example, a male person requesting for loan would rather make an emotional appeal to a female loan officer than to a male loan officer.

In the case of Sofiya and Brandon (couples), their decision is based on the feminst theory of equal duty and action. Unfortunately, the work carried out tends to be little for Sofiya than Brandon thereby negating the interactionist theory on gender and sexuality based on feminisim which it tends to promote.