Author, Sociologist at WSU to Discuss Gender Inequality
OGDEN, Utah – Author, Stanford University sociology professor and former president of the American Sociological Association Cecilia Ridgeway will discuss the question “How Does Gender Inequality Persist in the Modern World?” during the 2016 Weber State University College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Distinguished Lecture Series.
The event will be held March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hurst Center Dumke Legacy Hall.
Ridgeway is the Lucie Stern Professor of Social Sciences in the Department of Sociology at Stanford University and an award-winning researcher and author.
“Dr. Ridgeway argues that when we’re placed in new situations, we often revert back to traditional gender beliefs to guide our behavior. She calls this “cultural lag,” even if we don’t realize we’re doing it,” said Huiying Wei Hill, committee chair of the Social & Behavioral Sciences Distinguished Lecture. “In some circumstances, women unconsciously do this more than men.”
In Ridgeway’s book, “Framed by Gender: How Gender Inequality Persists in the Modern World,” Ridgeway describes how the gender frame, the automatic cultural definition of gender roles we place on others when we meet them, can draw on gender stereotypes to inform judgements and behaviors.
“Dr. Ridgeway’s work with gender framing shows how inequality can persist even in a modernized society when we’ve been studying and talking about these issues for several decades,” Wei Hill said. “She brings a new perspective to the field, and everyone can take something away from her lecture. Men and women can examine their perspectives and recognize the psychological and cultural framework that holds others back.”
This is the fourth year the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences has hosted the Distinguished Lecture Series, which brings in experts to shed light on a variety of significant social issues.
“The social and behavioral sciences help us gain crucial understanding of many important issues facing our society,” said Frank Harrold, dean of WSU’s College of Social & Behavioral Sciences. “We can best solve problems when we understand them, and this series provides WSU students — and the broader community — with thought-provoking and invaluable learning opportunities.”
The lecture is free, and the public is invited.
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For a high-resolution photo, please visit the following link:
Ashlee Cawley, University Marketing & Communications
801-626-6232 • ashleecawley@weber.edu- Contact:
Huiying Wei Hill, sociology professor
801-626-7888 • hweiarthus@weber.edu