The Sociology of Gender: A Brief Introduction

Laura Kramer’s "essentials" text provides an overview of basic sociological concepts and perspectives on gender–presented in a concise, accessibly written form. The Sociology of Gender’s explicitly sociological approach provides an alternative to, and critiques of, biological and psychological approaches to gender and sexual orientation. The popularity of these approaches is itself analyzed to encourage students’ critical thinking. Chapters focus on the family, work and the economy, and the legal and political systems. Shorter sections discuss gender in language, the media, religion, knowledge systems, and education. Throughout, the text integrates variations in the meanings of gender related to race/ethnicity and social class. Current research informs all discussions, and historical background helps students understand the dynamic nature of gender systems and the importance of social action. The style of this text is highly readable, and the content is rich and varied. The book does not presume prior sociology coursework or a high level of statistical sophistication. Students will relate to the numerous real-world examples, brief definitions, and the avoidance of unnecessarily specialized language. A glossary, indices and discussion questions at the end of each chapter add to the volume’s accessibility–inviting the reader to move from passive reading to active application.