Gender, Power & Social Constructs: A Conflict Analysis - Essay Sample

Introduction

Often, women and gender studies draw on the feminist and symbolic interaction theory to create and examine the different social constructs. In the examination of gender as a social construction, sociological theories play a significant role in explaining social phenomena. The phenomenon is due to the relationship between gender and power as they interact with the social perspectives on identities such as sexual orientation and socio-economic class. Thus, this paper will describe the conflict, feminist, and symbolic interaction theory identifying the different theorists and provide examples reflecting how the theories relate to everyday life operations. Also, the paper will deliver an argument on the theory I see as the most relevant in my development discussing how it influences my identity and later draw conclusions on how the theories impact how I perceive myself.

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Description of Each Theory and Theorists

The conflict theory presents that disagreements arise when power, resources, and status are unevenly distributed between groups within society. Often, the conflicts become the engine for social change as the theory looks at the society as a competition for limited resources. According to the social conflict theory, the competition can result in exploitation by people in the group with a higher power. Unlike other sociological theories, the conflict theory criticizes society, rather than explaining (Turner, 2006). Within the conflict theory, it was developed by Karl Marx (1818-1883) who purports society as being made up of people in different social classes who must compete for social resources. Karl Marx adds that due to society's competition for resources, there will always be conflict (Krais, 2006). Similarly, the feminist theory shifts its assumptions, topical focus, and analytical lens away from the male experience and perspective towards the feminine point of view. Through this, the feminist theory attempts to shine light on the social issues and trends overlooked by the male dominant society. The feminist theory has much in common with the conflict perspective. For instance, while conflict theory looks at the unequal distribution of resources in society, the feminist theory studies people and power. Individuals in society tend to believe that feminist theory looks into women and girls, promoting them as superior to men. In the real sense, the feminist theory is about viewing the social atmospheres in such a manner that illuminates the forces creating inequality, to help promote the pursuit of equality. Women sociologists such as Harriet Martineau have been involved with the feminist theory (Robinson & Richardson, 2015).

Correspondingly, the symbolic interactionist theory also defined as symbolic interactionism concentrates on the relationships among people within a society. The theory relies on the symbolic meaning that individuals develop and build upon in the process of social interactionism. The symbolic interactionist theory analyses the society by addressing the descriptive definition that individuals impose on the events, behavior, and objects. According to the theory, descriptive meanings are essential since they bring the notion that people behave based on what they believe and not what is objectively true (Robinson & Richardson, 2015). Within the symbolic interactionist theory, it derives that the people develop a set of symbols that help give description and meaning based on individual perspectives. Through symbols, the meanings are molded from the interactions with the society. The interactions are interpreted to suit the meaning according to the existing symbols. Further, George Herbert Mead (1863 - 1931) is termed as the founder of the symbolic interactionist theory even though it traces back to Max Weber's assertion that people function according to the various interpretations of the meaning of symbols (Aksan, Kisac, Aydin, & Demirbuken, 2009).

Examples Reflecting How Each Theory Operates in My Everyday Life

Within the symbolic interactionist theory, I see this theory operating in my everyday life, whereby language is an existence of symbolic interaction. Since the symbolic interactionism is based on symbols and interpretation, the words are seen as symbols. As a person interprets the language or how one communicates, these interpretations form the social bond. In consideration of the feminist theory, an example of how this theory operates in my everyday life is the issue of the gender pay gap between men and women. Historically, the male gender within the United States and around the world, earn more than women for doing a similar job. In my case, as I interact with different situations, the gender pay gap is real as at some point in life, I have earned less money compared to a guy working in the same occupation.

However, a significant example of the operation of conflict theory in everyday life is today's global capitalism which has created a global system of inequality and power. Since capitalism enriched the few at the expense of the other individuals, it generated conflict over the access for resources such as land, jobs, and other essential resources. The issue of capitalism is evident in my everyday life activities as I interact with my housing complex owner. Even though we could be having a working interaction and live in harmony, conflict often arises due to global capitalism which creates a power mismatch, particularly in the relations of production as people strive for the available resources.

An Argument on the Most Relevant Theory

As the conflict theory, feminist theory, and the symbolic interaction theory interrelate with the different social contexts, the conflict, and feminist theory deliver a similarity as they involve inequalities in society. I see the symbolic interaction theory as the most relevant to my development. As people have different behavioral patterns, the theory creates a way that one can learn to interpret and give definition or meaning to the actions through interaction with other people in society. Arguably, such interpretations are essential in my development as they help understand the different aspects of social experience and identity, such as gender (Robinson & Richardson, 2015). Further, the symbolic interaction theory creates an understanding through the symbolic interactionist perspective or lens. With a view on the immediate social group and context, the theory plays out within the social construct of gender whereby the symbols on "woman" and "man" are applied in individual identity (Aksan et al., 2009). Compared to the social conflict and feminist theory which provide the specific perspective of the society in resources, the symbolic interaction theory focuses more closely on what people believe than the actual truth (Robinson & Richardson, 2015). This adds to my view of the symbolic interaction theory as most relevant to my development. Further, my identity has been influenced by this theory in that it provides different interpretations. Through the theory, socially constructed meanings of gender assist in deciding whom to interact with, how to interact with the person and help determine the meanings of another person's behavior.

Conclusion

Sociological theories offer various developments, particularly in understanding the social context and groups as related to identity. Through theories such as the feminist theory and the symbolic interaction theory, they helped draw my identity as they define the social structure based on behavior. Through the sociological theories, I conclude that my behaviors and actions reflect my identity through structural symbolic interaction. Moreover, theory and social groups impact how I perceive myself as they help create a sense of self both on psychological and physical well-being. In as much as the society has impacted how one is socially viewed, the sociological theories have helped me understand the role behavior patterns which has positively developed how I view myself.

References

Aksan, N., Kisac, B., Aydin, M., & Demirbuken, S. (2009). Symbolic interaction theory. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1(1), 902-904. Doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2009.01.160

Krais, B. (2006). Gender, sociological theory, and Bourdieu's sociology of practice. Theory, Culture & Society, 23(6), 119-134. Doi:10.1177/0263276406069778

Robinson, V., & Richardson, D. (Eds.). (2015). Introducing gender and women's studies. Macmillan International Higher Education.

Turner, J. H. (Ed.). (2006). Handbook of sociological theory. Springer Science & Business Media.