Stereotypes Of Women In The Workplace Essay

Propaganda posters like “Rosie the Riveter” suggested that the idea of women taking over the men’s roles was patriotic and was only showing strength and commitment to your family and country. Some examples of jobs undertaken by women in World War II where mechanics engineers plumbers take drivers etc. pre-World War II you would’ve never seen the women working in these fields as women were known to stay home and take care of the family will the men worked these heavily equipped jobs. “By 1943, about 261 000 women were involved in the production of war goods, accounting for more than 30% of the aircraft industry, close to 50% of the employees in many gun plants, and a distinct majority in munitions inspection

Prior to WWII, American women would typically stay home. They cooked and cleaned, but all this soon changed. Once the U.S. officially entered World War II on December 7, 1941, following Pearl Harbor, many men were sent to fight. Since men were the main workforce, there was a lack of employees to complete the jobs left behind. Soon, however, these vacant spots would be replenished by a female workforce. Companies sent out propaganda in an attempt to convince women to work in previously “male” jobs. One such propaganda was “Rosie the Riveter”. Eventually, the amount of women working increased from 27% to 37%, and sixty-five percent of the aircraft industry was made up of women, by 1943. (History.com, American Women in World War II).Now, women not only worked at home, but on the battlefield as well. Approximately 350,000 women enrolled in the Armed Forces, and 100,00 became WACS(Women’s Army Corps). Nevertheless, these women at work, on the battlefield or at home, were not paid the same amount of money as the men who previously worked in these jobs. (History.com, American Women in World War II).

Prior to World War II, many women were unemployed, due to the Great Depression which had started a decade before. With men always getting preference for jobs, there were very few jobs left for women. Consequently, not only were many occupations were reserved for men, but men were also paid wages up to five times higher for the same task as women. Some states also barred married women from holding jobs. However during World War II, America produced at an efficiency which was higher than ever. This meant that the women had an increasing number of jobs. Jobs in the public sector opened up. Since 1939, women progressively changed the idea of patriarchy and the cliché thinking of an average woman in the United States to be a wife and mother.

Before World War II, women were typically seen as wives and mothers. A majority of jobs were saved for men and it was very uncommon for a woman to have a job that was outside of the house, especially if they were married. The need to prepare for war was so strong that “political and social leaders agreed that both women and men have to change their perceptions of gender roles-at least as long as there was a national emergency” (“Changing Images” 1). America’s view on the woman was about to entirely change. Women were about to change the typical stereotype and prove to men that they could do anything they could.

Before World War I, women were often seen in their homes cooking, cleaning, and sewing, never out working in factories or working at the local train station. However as men were sent off to battle in World War I and jobs needed to be filled women gradually shifted into the workplace. At this point in time women were hired to be bank clerks, steel mill workers, telephone operators, chauffeurs, street car conductors, telegraphers, and boot blacks; all of which were jobs men would usually fulfill. Soon enough big industries and even the U.S. government were in great need of women replacements. Although women were finally breaking into the workforce they were only paid half as much in wages as the men were.

The Simpsons is a TV show that airs on the Fox network. During the fifth season, in an episode called Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy, Lisa challenges the makers of the Malibu Stacy doll to create a less sexist doll. The original creator of Malibu Stacy teams up with Lisa to create Lisa Lionheart to create a positive influence for young girls. This episode raised a lot of questions regarding gender roles and stereotypes. Gender stereotypes are prominent in today’s life style. Per gender stereotypes, girls like princesses and boys like cars. These gender roles, however, do not just apply to children. These roles are still very prominent in “grown up” society. The pay gap between men and women Gender roles are a big part of humankind society.

entered World War 2 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, men were drafted and sent off to war while women took charge of the household and industry by working in factories and enduring physical labor. This allowed for more women in the workforce during the time of emergency. Women were being recruited for all kinds of jobs men left behind when they left for war. During this time women were being recruited into military and factory jobs, with icon Rosie the Riveter. The need for female factory workers increased, because of the manufacturing of artillery. Two years after the U.S. entered World War 2 the United States War Department released a pamphlet that was used to increase in industrial work. In this pamphlet it says, “A WOMAN WORKER is not a man; in many jobs she is a substitute,” (U.S. War Dept. pg. 14). Even though this pamphlet was used to increase the number of women working for the war effort it still shows evidence of sexism. It can be seen that women were still being discriminated even when they were needed in the

"For most of history, anonymous was a woman", quotes Virginia Woolf. (1) Throughout history, women’s lives were restricted to domesticity and family, and they were left oppressed and without political voice. Over the decades the roles of women have dramatically changed from chattels belonging to their husbands to gaining independence. Women became famous activists, thinkers, writers, and artists, like Frida Kahlo who was an important figure for women’s independence. The price women paid in their fight for equality was to die or be imprisoned along with men, and they were largely forgotten in written history. However, the roles they took on were wide-ranging which included working in factories, tending the troops, taking care of children

Sexism in the Workplace The workplace is the area in which sexism is most commonly found. Sexism is in evidence in unfair recruitment practices, unequal pay, and intimidating behavior towards colleagues. Legislation is now in place in many countries that prohibits unfair treatment of staff on the grounds of their sex. The problem with this legislation is that they are often difficult to apply.

The "glass ceiling" has held women back from certain positions and opportunities in the workplace. Women are stereotyped as part-time, lower-grade workers with limited opportunities for training and advancement because of this "glass ceiling". How have women managed their careers when confronted by this glass ceiling? It has been difficult; American women have struggled for their role in society since 1848. Women’s roles have changed significantly throughout the past centuries because of their willingness and persistence. Women have contributed to the change pace of their role in the workplace by showing motivation and perseverance.

Some people say that sexism no longer exists in the workplace, yet only "19%" of women are in a presidential or chief position at work(Bomey ). Women are less likely to be hired for a job despite having all the qualifications, women earn less than men, and women are continuously harassed in the workplace. Despite the fact that women are capable to "perform with the same skill and success" as men, the issue of gender discrimination still continues to rise( ). In society, sometimes it can be difficult to recognize issues of sexism not only at work but in life. With the failure to realize gender discrimination and harassment in the world, educating people on the issue of sexism can make the workplace a success.

The changes occurring in the workplace present several sub-trends. One of the most significant is that women are returning to it in large numbers. I use the term returning rather than entering because women comprised a major factor in the workforce during World War II, but was forced out by men returning from the war. Jamieson and O'Mara (1991) project that approximately 50% of the workforce will be comprised of women by the year 2000. Wives came to the rescue of the family in the 1970s and 1980s. Even though male earnings dropped substantially for all but the top 20% of male workers, real household incomes fell only marginally for the bottom 60%, and increased for the top 40%. One third of this increase was a result of a rise in female real annual earnings; however, two-thirds was due to women working more hours per year. Unfortunately, most income earners in the family are now working as many hours as they can. The reentrance of women into the workforce occurred during the transition from the industrial to the information age.

Since the beginning of time, gender has played a big role in how one acts and how one is looked upon in society. From a young age children are taught to be either feminine or masculine. Why is it that gender plays a big role in the characteristics that one beholds? For centuries in many countries it has been installed in individual’s heads that they have to live by certain stereotypes. Women have been taught to be feeble to men and depend on them for social and economical happiness. While men have been taught to be mucho characters that have take care of their homes and be the superior individual to a woman. For the individuals who dare to be different and choose to form their own identity whether man or woman, they are out casted and

Everyone in the world has a stereotype that they belong to. I have two that I struggle due to the images that are shown on television, especially in novelas, Spanish soap operas. The two are being a woman in this society and being Latina. I grew up to my mother watching these shows, I saw nothing but stereotypical roles especially for women, like being characterized as maids, servants, mothers, gold-diggers, prostitutes, and etc. These tv shows make women look dependent on a higher figure, in this case, a male. You can often see a woman with kids at home, cleaning and washing, waiting until her husband is home. Are women not capable of having a job, instead of being the typical stay at home mom?

Gender roles is a very controversial topic in today’s society, especially when it comes to working. 100 years ago, in Europe, women were working long hours in factories. Women also worked as nurses, cleaned wealthy people 's homes, and were craftswomen. Meanwhile, 100 years ago in the United States women were expected to stay home and take care of the family/home, while the men went out and worked an average of ten hours a day for six days a week, compared to the traditional five day weeks and 8 hour days.