How do ideologies and institutions reproduce and maintain gender inequality? What contemporary norms are associated with the socially constructed traits of "masculinity" and "femininity"? Give examples of the traits and the various institutions that maintain these norms. How are dominant notions of masculinity and femininity in the U.S. racialized? How does this intersection help maintain both sexism and racism?

 

Ideologies and institutions reproduce and maintain gender inequality through structured and systemic approaches that maintain power imbalance, prejudice and marginalization. Through these approaches, there are existing practices that are defined or which are non-existent but are practiced limiting gender equality. These practices maintain ideologies that promote gender inequality and skewed representation of women to the extent that their social mobility is limited. The contemporary norms that are associated with the socially constructed traits of "masculinity" and "femininity are based on gendered perspectives of what the binary definition of gender is supposed to achieve. In this regard, the gendered norms that construct how men and women are supposed to behave or act are associated with stereotype that has bene passed down by society on the abilities and limits of the genders.

The traits and the various institutions that maintain these norms still consider women to be delicate creatures while men are suited to handle any hardships. Through this analogy, when it comes to organizational duties, the women are conditioned to handle clerical work, while any mechanical issues are undertaken by men. The military is notorious for using gendered analogies when allocating duties among the soldiers and they also limit their advancement among the ranks. NASA had also maintained gendered approach towards astronauts and they are trying to change the narrative as space missions continue to increase and to demand expertise of all people who have diverse backgrounds.

Dominant notions of masculinity and femininity in the U.S. are racialized through existing continued exposure by the media on how each gender is supposed to behave and act. Men are shown as dominant, controlling and powerful, while women are shown as weak, emotional and they are sexualized. This intersection helps maintain both sexism and racism because white men are highlighted as the preferred individuals who make complex decisions and roles while people of color and women are given second status.