I shall be comparing and contrasting conflict orientation and symbolic interaction orientation with the social problem of gender inequality.

Gender inequality in conflict orientation would occur resulting from the norms, values, standards and perspectives that society has at large regarding the role of men and women. A direct example would be the teachings of cultural norms of women being submissive to the men in their household or family. Men are given the higher power or authority to be dominant above women. In businesses, men in power are in control or are hired more often than females, either because of certain requirements, such as strength and physical capabilities, for example within construction and engineering. Mindsets too, influence gender inequality. Females are considered to be more lenient than males, which would rather place them in maternal or domesticated jobs, such as nursing or teaching. Males are associated more in business or work that requires, as mentioned physical capabilities,  for example, a lawyer or plumber or technician which requires the male gender to be objective, putting themselves at risk or being handy.

Gender inequality in symbolic interaction orientation in contrast and compare with conflict orientation, as it is called, it is based on the "symbolic" and "interaction amongst individuals. These symbolic classifications come from social interaction and the understanding that is taken from the interaction.  With gender inequality, an individual's understanding comes from the way a gender role is perceived. As stated above, men as seen as strong, leaders and the dominant gender within jobs or homes, whereas women are seen as submissive, maternal and for domestic purposes. The symbolic features that lead these perspectives are the masculine and feminine identities.