“Wrap your mind around the theory” Question: Why does gender stratification exist? Introduction: Throughout history, women have been considered less valuable than men, particularly in the public sphere. This is the result of gender stratification. Gender stratification refers to the issue of sexism, “or the belief that one gender is superior to the other” (Carl et al., 2012, p. 78). The theory that men are superior to women is central to sexism. The negative consequences of sexism have led some women, normally considered masculine, to pursue successful careers as something to be avoided. This could be explained by the fact that they are considered less desirable than mothers or wives in the private sphere. The private sphere, known as the reproductive domain, includes everything domestic; washing, ironing, buying food, cooking, maintaining the house, looking after children, etc. It’s women who tend to be in the sphere. The public sphere, called production space, includes everything outside the home; education, politics, medicine, media, professions, etc. It’s men who tend to be in this area. These areas signify gender roles created to separate the sexes into the roles expected of them. Social and cultural conditioning (socialization) is responsible for establishing masculine and feminine gender roles. The process of gender socialization encourages the implementation of traditional gender roles in society, which then reinforces and justifies male dominance. Feminists believe that socialization leads to gender inequality, as women are socialized into passive or subordinate roles and men into dominant roles. This essay will examine the views of functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism concerned with gender stratification...... middle of article ......f according to which the division between gender within society works to the overall advantage of men. Equality of both sexes is a goal that we as a society should strive to achieve more, and I believe that men and women are extremely similar and have the same abilities, intelligence and ability to think, so that divisions between the sexes are a negative aspect of society. way any society is managed.ReferencesCarl, J., Baker, S., Robard, B., Scott, J., Hillman, W. and Lawrence, G. (2012). Think about sociology. Australia: Pearsons Australia. Fiorentine, R. (1993). Theories of gender stratification: hypotheses, evidence, and implications for “agency” and “equity.” Rationality and Society, 353. doi:10.1177/1043463193005003004 Lenski, G. (1966). Power and privilege: a theory of social stratification. NY: McGraw-Hill. Schwab, K.B. (2013). The Global Gender Gap Report. Switzerland: World Economic Forum.