- They have little bargaining power.
- They think that they ought not to act like a hard bargainer.
- They have a hard time seeing themselves in this role in any event, given the difficulty they have conceiving of their interests as distinct from their family's interests.
- They think that they deserve, and hence ought to accept, only the little they are getting.
Anderson revisits her emphasis on identity as a tool for decision-making in an effort to provide solutions that would alleviate these constraints. She suggests that entry into the workforce could serve as a strong platform to adopt new identities. In adopting roles that extend beyond their expectations of mothers, women are able to develop a new sense of individuality that transforms the understanding of their role in society as a collective.
While reading over the constraints on women, I could not help but wonder if similar constraints exist among other marginalized groups whose roles are less socially defined. Before delving into this question, it is important to draw a distinction between inherited identities and acquired identities. I think Anderson makes a strong point because she comes to describe how underprivileged groups can change the perception of their inherited identities by acquiring other socially-desirable identities, which effectively alter the perception of their inherited identities.
In questioning how Anderson's theory could be applied to other underprivileged groups, I began to consider the constraints on ethnic minorities. The constraints on individuals of color are unique in that they are not as socially defined as the roles expected of women. This suggests a problem that is more closely related to psychology rather than sociology. Essentially, ethnic minorities place a set of limitations that inhibit their full potential due to a lack of representation in roles that imply social advantage. For example, in considerations regarding academic performance that could potentially lead to college admission, ethnic minorities are more likely to make negative decisions on the basis of conforming to decisions made by members of their social group. By presenting the decision-making process of other identities, we can provide further evidence on the dangers of asking 'What should we do?', instead of 'What should I do?'.
I agree with you in that Anderson's theory can easily be applied to underprivileged groups in general, not simply women. However, I think you're not necessarily correct when you say that the fundamental difference between the two is that the constraints on people of color are not as socially defined as the roles expected of women. In fact, I would say that the roles imposed on both groups have evolved in very similar ways. Historically, marginalized groups have been expected to perform a certain societal function. Usually this is one less desired by the dominant group. This could be anything from the Chinese labor on railroads to the field labor of slaves. Once these groups had the opportunity to become more integrated with society, as they became more than simply their defined position, their work in other fields became gradually more accepted. Similarly, women were expected to stay in the house and mend socks or cook. As they ventured outside those roles, the constraints on them to stay in the house gradually became lesser. While both these groups continue to face socially defined roles, they've both evolved from the time at which they were strictly defined and explicitly enforced.
ReplyDeleteI'm also not quite sure what you mean when you distinguish between inherited and acquired identity. I believe you may be saying that people are born with a certain inherited identity, but acquire certain other identities along the way. I would argue, however, that in Anderson's conception, all identities are acquired, just some earlier than others. Your "inherited identity" might be something like daughter, which one cannot change. There is a difference, however, between being born into a certain family and choosing to identify with it. In Anderson's example, I believe that our identities are based off of how people choose to define themselves, not where they are born.