Chapt.+10+-+Gender+Stratification


 * Gender stratification- the unequal distribution of wealth, power, and privilege between men and women.
 * This is clearly portrayed in the show with the guys being more inteligent and privileged than Penny.
 * Matriarchy- a form of social organization in which females dominate males.
 * In the show Penny dominates in the social stratification setting because she is deemed as less awkward and more out going than the guys appear to be.
 * Patriarchy- a form of social organization in which males dominate females.
 * In the show the guys dominate on the level of being more inteligent than Penny is.
 * Sexism- the belief that one sex is innately superior to the other.
 * The show in general is sexist due to the fact that there are four guys that have to deal with the ridicule of one girl, but its worse for Penny who has to deal with the pressures of the four guys.


 * ** Gender- The personal traits and social positions that members of a society attach to being female or male. **
 * In the case of this show, the boys are smart, and successful. The girl, Penny, is struggling to make money and is constantly searching for a man to take care of, and provide for her. She appears dim at times, especially compared to the guys.
 * ** Gender Roles- Attitudes and activities that a society links to each sex. **
 * There's a scene in which Penny and Sheldon are reading in the same room and Penny makes a comment about how they're almost like an old married couple. To this Sheldon replies that if they were an old married couple she would make tea and snicker doodles. In this case, the woman's role is to bake and make appetizers for her husband.
 * ** Minority- Any category of people distinguished by physical or cultural difference that a society sets apart and subordinates. **
 * All the guys are freakishly smart and often are looked upon as weird because of it. This difference sets them apart as a minority group.
 * ** Sexual Harassment- Comments, gestures, or physical contacts of a sexual nature that deliberate, repeated, and unwelcome. **
 * Howard often makes comments to Penny about how beautiful she is and he has a multitude of pick up lines for her. On a minor level, he sexually harasses Penny because the comments creep her out and are unwanted.