Gender is one of the most important topics in the field of sociology, and as a system of social practices it inspires a multitude of theoretical approaches. The Sociology of Gender offers an introductory overview of gender theory and research, offering a unique and compelling approach. In this book, a leading scholar clearly defines three different frameworks: the individual, the interactional, and the institutional. Individualist approaches view gender as part of the person; interactional approaches focus on the ways that gender emerges through social interaction; and institutional views emphasize how gender is built into organizations, social structures, and institutional arrangements. The book deftly summarizes and examines these three frameworks to help students understand gender's contested meanings and vast areas of research. In addition to these themes, the book emphasizes the importance of analyzing gender in relation to other kinds of distinctions, such as those based on race, social class, or sexual orientation. Research findings by key scholars are discussed in each chapter, and selected readings from contemporary scholarship allow for comparative analysis of different areas of research. This up-to-date, coherent, and accessible book is essential for students and scholars of gender.