Sociology Optional (Social Institutions) by Smriti Rao

Model Answer

Question #1. Examine the interlinkage between religion and patriarchy.

Approach:

• Basic introduction of patriarchy and religion
• Feminist views on Religion
• Examples of Patriarchy in Religion

Hints:

Patriarchy is an analytical concept that refers to a network of political, social, and economic relationships and institutions organised around men and women’s socially established gender disparities. Within patriarchal connections, women are collectively excluded from full participation in political and economic life.

According to social scientists, religion exists as an organised and integrated system of beliefs, behaviours, and traditions focused on fundamental societal needs and values. Religion and patriarchy are basic social variables that serve as the cornerstone of social order, and their interactions influence the entire structure of society.

Feminist Views on Religion

• Simone De Beauvoir (1953) maintained beliefs similar to those of traditional Marxists, except that she saw religion as exploiting and enslaving women rather than aiding in worker oppression. She said that religious traditions taught women to be subservient, to bear injustice, exploitation, and pain in the expectation of earning rewards in the afterlife.
• Jean Holm maintains that males nearly always dominate in the public domain of religion, where major positions are held and public statements are made. However, in the domestic domain, such as religious socialisation of children within families, women are prominent and perform the majority of religious activity.
• Mary Daly contends that Christianity is a collection of patriarchal myths. Although she was raised Catholic, she claims that the early Christian (Catholic) church purposefully eliminated other older ‘goddess’ religions such as paganism and purposefully reduced the role of female figures who played a key role in the growth of Christianity, particularly Mary Magdalene, whom she claims was one of Christ’s apostles..

Examples of Patriarchy in Religion

• In numerous faiths, women are portrayed as temptresses who divert men’s attention away from the important task of devotion. According to the Bible, the first woman, Eve, disobeys God and subsequently tempts Adam, causing his downfall as well.
• Male Gods, prophets, saints, and heroes abound in religious scriptures. The works are authored and interpreted by males.
• Menstruation and pregnancy are both considered filthy or unholy in many faiths. For example, in Islam, menstruation women are not permitted to handle the Koran.
• According to Karen Armstrong (1993), the advent of monotheistic religions with all-powerful male Gods (such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) infused religion with a patriarchal and sexist essence. She notes that numerous gods and priestesses have been supplanted by male prophets.
• Sati, or self-immolation by widows on their husbands’ funeral pyres, lasted for generations because it was founded in the concept that a woman’s existence without her spouse was futile.
• Women’s exclusion from the clergy or as leaders of religious groups highlighted their marginalisation in religious and social life.
• Women are assigned the roles of nurturing, caring, and giving birth in many religious teachings from many religions. While these positions are portrayed favourably and as necessary, they support societal gender stereotypes and patriarchal power systems. Women who refuse to adapt to gender stereotypes are not only departing from gender conventions and family expectations, but they are also diverging from God’s will.

All global faiths are patriarchal by nature. The scriptures justify exploitation, and the rituals keep women submissive inside the framework. Religion, however, is becoming more tolerant as a result of secularisation and modernism.

Question #2. Gig economy has not only exposed the shortcomings of the unorganised sector but also offers avenues for tapping the demographic dividend. Critically analyze.

Approach:

• Introduction of Gig Economy
• Sociological Analysis of Gig Economy
• Advantages of Gig Economy
• Challenges related to Gig Economy

Hints:

In the gig economy, a person may work on a project-by-project basis under a temporary contract, a short-term agreement, or as a freelancer; payment is made once the task is finished. The term “gig economy” refers to a system of employment where each task is referred to as a separate “gig.” Every platform that employs independent contractors, consultants, and employees across a variety of industries, including information technology, content creation, social media marketing and communications, food and beverage, and creative industries like art and design, is considered to be part of the gig economy. Therefore, a gig economy refers to the existence of a temporary or part-time workforce as opposed to a traditional workforce.

Sociological analysis of Gig Economy:

• Gig economy can promote the Marxian idea of ‘alienation’ among workers as people will have less physical interaction with the colleagues.
• Michael Burawoy talks about trade unions and their role in negotiating with management but in Gig economy scope of trade union is very less. Although in the recent budget, government of India has indicated bringing gig economy within the ambit of governance.
• Gig economy will break the traditional idea of organization and also the Weberian concept of bureaucracy as informal rules, less hierarchy, more impersonal relations are the nature of Gig economy
• It can create culture of dependency among nations as most of the brilliant technology is developed and concentrated in the western world. It can lead to technological imperialism.
• Gig economy can lead to the rise of risk society (Ulrich Beck) – as uncertainties are more in the gig economy.

Advantages of gig economy 

• Meet immediate demands: Gig economy may help employees, firms, and consumers by making labour more adaptive to current requirements and desire for flexible lives.
• Less expensive and more efficient: Most firms cannot afford to recruit full-time personnel. Many people work part-time or in temporary roles in a gig economy. As a result, individuals wanting to utilise services like Uber or Airbnb will find them cheaper and more efficient.
• More options for employers: Technology and internet access eliminates the need for the freelancer to come into the workplace for work. As a result, businesses have a broader pool of candidates to pick from because they are not required to recruit someone based on their location.
• Domain Expert - Professional services companies are engaging gig workers to offer deep domain experience to client-impact teams because of their specialised expertise. The majority of professional services contact staff members, like consultants, have years of domain-specific knowledge.
• Larger range of employment options: People frequently discover they need to relocate or work numerous jobs in order to afford the lifestyle they desire. The gig economy is a reflection of the expanding trend of people switching occupations frequently in today’s society.
• Gig economy can bypass the discrimination based on caste, gender etc. For e.g. women can work late night without having any security related issues.
• Youth Productivity: India has a sizable proportion of young people, and the gig economy provides the ideal setting for involving young people in worthwhile employment pursuits.

Challenges related to Gig Economy:

• Erosion of traditional economic relationships: Due to the breakdown of traditional economic ties between workers, companies, and clients, the gig economy may have drawbacks. The advantages that come from long-term relationships of trust, established routines, and familiarity with clients and employers may be eliminated as a result.
• Since no side has a motivation to spend significantly in a relationship that will only continue until the next contract comes along, it could also deter investment in relationship-specific assets that would otherwise be beneficial to pursue.
• Crowding out of conventional workers: In some industries, workers who prefer a traditional career path and the stability and security that go along with it are being displaced. Since temporary workers are sometimes less expensive to hire, the gig economy makes it more difficult for full-time employees to advance in their careers.
• Disrupted work-life balance for gig workers: In a gig economy, flexibility frequently means that employees must be accessible whenever a gig opens up, regardless of their other demands, and they must constantly be looking for new gigs. In light of this, some workers may experience disruptions to their daily routines, sleep patterns, and work-life balance as a result of the flexibility of gig labour.
• Workers have fewer rights in relation to employment Contrary to regular employment. Also gig economy workers are typically not entitled to any social benefits like insurance, medical coverage, an employee provident fund, bonuses, or gratuities.
• Dual burden: Because of added household and childcare duties, on-demand work schedules prevent women from taking advantage of peak hours.
• Digital Divide: Women’s admittance into the increasingly tech-dependent gig economy is hampered by unequal access to digital technologies.

The ability of politicians, futurists, business, and governments to work together to create an enabling environment and labour regulations that enable the gig economy to thrive and sustain itself will determine the viability of the gig economy. Additionally, businesses will need to review their current procedures to accommodate gig workers.