Researchers wish to investigate how Canadian families are coping in these difficult economic times.They decide to contact 100 families and interview the individuals who identify themselves as "the head of the household." They then ask those individuals questions regarding how their families earn money,pay bills,take care of household chores,etc.Using Eichler's seven distinct problems of sexism in social research,construct an essay pointing out the potential problem areas of this study.

1.Androcentricity is a vision of the world in male terms.Women are not seen as active subjects to the same extent as men but,rather,as passive objects to whom things happen.Traditionally,the male was considered the "head of the household" and it is likely the majority of those who identify themselves as such in this study will be male.This assumes that the male is making all of the important decisions and holds all the power,while the women is in an inferior position.
2.Overgeneralization occurs when researchers include only one sex in their study but present their findings as being applicable to both men and women.It is likely in this study that the majority of people who identify themselves as the "head of the household" will be male;if the findings are presented as applicable to both genders,this ignores single mothers and women's views in general.
3.Gender insensitivity occurs when gender is ignored as a socially important variable.If,at the end of reading a study,you are not sure whether men,women,or both were involved,that study is gender insensitive.This study is only asking for the "head of the household" and is not investigating whether that is more likely to be male or female,which is an important variable,particularly when considering single-parent families.
4.Sex appropriateness is a specific instance of a double standard.The term "head of the household" has traditionally been used to refer to the male partner and infers greater power;however,when women are in this position (as in the case of single mothers),the same degree of power is not assumed.
5.Familism is a problem derived from gender insensitivity.It occurs when families are taken as the smallest unit of analysis in situations where specific individuals within those families are responsible for particular actions or experiences.To assume that just because the male identifies himself as the "head of the household" he makes all the decisions is invalid;in many cases,decisions are made together by equal partners.