functionalism

• Feminists have shown that gender roles are socially constructed
• Human capital theory ignores the structural constraints in society that may disadvantage women
• Hasn't kept pace with social changes in gender roles
• Refers to the experiences of white-middle class people and neglects other social groups
• Functionalists tend to argue that men and women have separate social roles that are based on biological differences and that these different roles contribute to the smooth running of society.

  Functionalists suggest that since women give birth and nurse a child, it is natural that they will take care of it. This leads to a division of labour between men and women, in which women are more involved in domestic activities such as preparing meals and maintaining a home. Men, therefore, act as breadwinners and other economically dominant roles.
• The argument that individuals make investments in their own "human capital" in order to increase their productivity and earnings.

  Men are work-oriented and committed to their jobs whereas women choose to prioritise their roles as homemakers and caring for family over their careers. As a result, gender inequalities in the workplace arise and are a legitimate outcome as women develop lower levels of human capital than men.