Gender Inequality in Modern Society

Women are known to be the nurturing part of human nature. It is women who birth and generally care for the young of human kind; however, the roles of women have progressed to be so much more in today’s society. Now women are looked to not only as a homemaker, but a breadwinner as well. In many families, the women provide a major source of income and are responsible for the wellbeing of the family. “More than a quarter century has passed since Arlie Hochschild’s The Second Shift powerfully made the case that women cannot compete fairly with men when they are doing two jobs and men are doing only one.” (Moravcsik). He goes on to say that women’s roles have shifted to being able to balance a job and a family at one time. Despite the many jobs that

Throughout every society’s history, there has been a prevalent inequality between the females and males of that population. Women have been considered slaves or property belonging to men; thus they have been viewed as second-class citizens and intellectual inferior. Most prominent is the idea that a women’s purpose in life was to remain in the domestic sphere. This meant their interactions and occupations within the public sphere was severely limited. This preconceived bias towards women’s only job to be a wife remained constant through centuries although the degrees of pressure on women varied. As decades progressed into the late 1800s to present time, a women’s occupational world had a chance grow outside their domestic sphere. Although

The number of women in the workforce has never been as high as it is now. In the 1920’s it was often thought that a woman’s only role was as a mother and housewife. They were perceived as only being able to take

With the rise of the modern age economic survival has become difficult for families based on a single income. This economic need along with modern attitudes toward gender equality has resulted in women being represented in the workforce in greater numbers. However, until the 1960’s women faced severe discrimination when trying to enter and maintain a position in the workforce. Often qualified women would be passed over for men with less experience and education. Employers were fearful that women were too emotional and were not equipped to handle the stress of the work environment. Also driving the decision to not hire or promote women was the concern over the additional health care expenses and leave time pregnant

Throughout history, women's roles in society have been different than those of men's. Women’s jobs were generally connected to their traditional roles of caring for the home, raising children, making clothes, and cooking food, while men were the breadwinners in the families. Women had been brought up to become mothers (as well as nurturers) while men were brought up to become entrepreneurs and businessmen. It was not until the 1950s that women began to protest and fight for equal rights. Since then, many have claimed that the disparities between women and men have drastically decreased, almost to the point that it is minimalistic. However, in today's society, although we would

Women’s role has significantly changed in today’s world. Back in the 1950s, women were viewed as dedicated housewives whose only goal was to meet the pleasures of their and husband and children’s. Society believed these were the only role for women. During this time, a husband was considered far more important than a degree. In fact, women who chose to work and earn their own money were considered selfish. The number of girls who entered college dropped during the 50s. Many women left college early to marry after World War II and other women who stayed were not planning on working toward a job. Beginning in the 1960s and last 70s, deep cultural changes were altering the role of women in the U.S society. More females than ever began entering into the workforce back in which the only jobs available for them away from their homes were teachers, secretaries, nurses etc.

Over the past few decades, great strides have been made by women in the workplace. This increased number in women in the workplace does not mean equality however. Even with equal qualifications and achievements, women are still not given all the opportunities that men have. The chapter in the textbook, “Gender at Work”, shows us more of these inequalities in the workplace. Such inequalities cause gender segregation of jobs and can be linked with the pay inequality in the labor force. Even in jobs that are predominantly filled by women, men earn more than women. Women are often stereotyped as being family focused and not as able to travel, therefore they tend to get passed up for promotions (Garson p.353). This invisible barrier that keeps women from moving up the executive ladder is referred to as the “glass ceiling” (Baxter and Wright p. 346). Women also tend to do more domestic work, or unpaid labor and caregiving. This extra unpaid work is referred to as “the third shift” and is largely rested on the shoulders of women (Gersel p. 352). Consequently, this seems to be one of the biggest things holding women back from taking on jobs that are normally considered male

Traditionally, women have been considered to be the weaker sex and subordinate to men. Moreover, their roles have been assigned to domestic and childrearing duties. The job market is male dominated, and women are often considered to be out of place therein. Women face considerable sexual discrimination in the world of work, significantly limiting their employment prospects and subsequent advancement in their careers.

The idea of the woman in the workplace can also be related to utilitarian goals of increasing equality that can be expressed in a quantitative form, as well as the fact that women are often called upon to play a dual role, working as both a household keeper and wage-earner, and are already judged far too often for their bodies rather than their minds (compared to men). Women face greater scrutiny and pressure than men already, and people like Damore make the situation worse, whether they realize it or not, regardless of their intentions. There are many variables that come into play, including “The assumption of the responsibilities of motherhood and the negotiations that shape how women mother (and how men father); the development of a more unbalanced division of household work; the evolution of a more family-focussed social life; and the renewal of women's relationships with their mothers” (Fox, 373), which continue to be generally in flux.

Each day, it is becoming harder to find employment that guarantees a financially secure life. There is more demand for jobs which respectively means more competition. With more competition, means more requirements and better credentials to have a good chance of achieving employment. Imagine having this entire burden plus being a woman. For women, there is a clear decreased sense of job security in the workforce. Society’s concept of gender can be dated back to the beginning of the history of the United States. Women have always been depicted as inferior to men. I will explain why it is essential for this concept to evolve in today’s economy.

Every individual in this world requires the same necessities in order to survive. Despite this, men seem to receive a much greater advantage in society. For centuries women have been fighting for gender equality. Although this constant battle still lives on, the growth society has had on gender equality is remarkable. At the beginning of the 20th century women were expected to have one role in society; marry in her early 20s, start a family and dedicate her entire life to caring for her family. Towards the end of the 20th century, entering the workforce became a daily routine for a majority of the female population. In addition women were getting married later and only having children in their 30s. When women initially entered the workforce

It has been reported that in 1970, women held an unemployment rate of 5.9 percent; and as of 2012, women hold an unemployment rate of 7.9 percent (Data & statistics, 2014). With an increase in unemployment by two percent, job security after graduation is a concern for many women. “Within the United States women are more likely to live in poverty than men and still face significant barriers to economic security and stability, including: occupational segregation; barriers to moving into higher-level positions; low wages and unequal pay; inadequate workplace flexibility; and pregnancy and sex discrimination.” (Data &

Since the beginning of time, women have had to work. They have worked in the household, the fields and at the border of the labor market at unsecured, low paying jobs. To be able to work has not been a problem for women (Barker, 2001). The problem has been to achieve admittance to education and the professions; to get a decent paying job which is comparable to men and the authority to be in charge of their own money. This has been predominantly true for married women.

Since World War II (1939-1945), women have entered the workforce in ever increasing numbers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women now account for 46 percent of the workforce, and nearly half of all new jobs created in the economy today go to women. However, despite their numbers, USA females still face gender discrimination for many reasons. They still face inequality in terms of salary and opportunities in the workplace. In addition, they might not have the same benefit as men have, such as low compensation during maternity leaves. They also might face sexual harassment in their work which affects them and the society negatively. It can drive them to have low self-esteem and less productivity at work.

Throughout society gender, the traditional state of being male or female, plays a significant role in many different accepts of one’s life. Whether one is male or female can affect many things from the level of respect one might receive to the chance of getting the job one desires and even to the extent of effecting one’s salary. From as early as 1800’s gender inequality, unequal treatment of individuals wholly due to their gender, has been an issue and still continues today. Before World War II many women only worked at home and did housework rather than working in factories and offices. Although gender inequality is not that extreme these days, it still has a major impact on things like the salaries of men verses women.