CHAPTER 11

Section 1: Gender

Section 2: Age and Disability

Section 3: Health

Gender, Age, and Health

SECTION 1

Question:How do gender roles and the self-fulfilling prophecy affect women?

Gender

SECTION 1

Gender

The Self-Fulfilling Prophesy of Sexism

People who see women as incapable of holding positions of power make choices based on this belief.

Men who see women as inferior oppose women entering powerful positions.

Thus, not enough women are in positions of power to push for greater access.

The fact that few women hold positions of power is used to justify the opinion that women must be incapable of holding such positions.

Women who accept an inferior role do not pursue traditionally male roles.

SECTION 2

Question:How is the aging of the population affecting American society?

Age and Disability

SECTION 2

Age and Disability

Effects of an Aging

Population on American

Society

Economic Effects Political Effects

rising cost of health care; cost of Social Security;

burden to family and younger workers; living longer in

retirement

becoming a stronger political force; organized voting bloc (AARP, etc.) focusing on health care, retirement, and Social

Security

SECTION 3

Health

Question:What are the special health care concerns of various segments of American society?

SECTION 3

Health

Segment of Society Special Health-Care Concerns

often not insured; have difficulty accessing and paying for care; cannot afford prescription drugs; have few doctors in poor communities

often refused insurance coverage due to preexisting conditions; life-long care of illness is often extremely expensive

need constant care in advanced stages; sometimes refused care by caregivers because of fear of infection; often not covered by insurance

need more care than general population; often poor or on strict budgets; sometimes refused insurance coverage due to pre-existing conditions

poor people

elderly individuals

AIDS sufferers

people suffering from chronic illnesses

Chapter Wrap-Up1. Explain how the wage gap and the glass ceiling can be

used to illustrate gender inequality.2. How has the second shift helped to create a “leisure

gap” between men and women?3. How are gender roles and gender identity related to

the experiences of boys and girls?4. How has the aging of the population affected

American society?5. What effects have the aging of the population had on

the opportunities in life available to elderly people?6. What health-care issues are causing concern among

Americans?7. What is AIDS, and why is it considered such as

pressing medical issue?

1. Explain how the wage gap and the glass ceiling can be used to illustrate gender inequality.

2. How has the second shift helped to create a “leisure gap” between men and women?

3. How are gender roles and gender identity related to the experiences of boys and girls?

4. How has the aging of the population affected American society?

5. What effects have the aging of the population had on the opportunities in life available to elderly people?

6. What health-care issues are causing concern among Americans?

7. What is AIDS, and why is it considered such as pressing medical issue?

CHAPTER 11