The Sex Role System

First published in 1978, The Sex Role System traces the phenomenon of sex role stereotyping through many different disciplines and areas of study, showing how presuppositions about sex role expectations can colour our perceptions and radically affect both the theories and the practices underlying our lives today. The contributions, by several well-known psychologists and sociologists, highlight many specific areas of stereotyping in our society, including marriage, school, work, psychiatry, the Social Security services, and the Inland Revenue.

In drawing together the many facets of sex role stereotyping, the editors are able to show how the complex conscious and unconscious processes making up the System are formed. An empirical approach to the problems involved, together with a discussion of the ethical issues, ensures that the reader will gain a greater understanding of the System and its substantial influences during the course of the analysis. This book is a must read for students and researchers of psychology, sociology, and feminist studies.