The Glass Escalator By Adia Wingfield

The Motion picture film, “Sentimental Women Need Not Apply”, highlighted that the first group of nursing students were all white women (1988). Black women were unwelcomed in some nursing schools hence nursing schools were establish for colored people only (Gary & Hott, 1988). One nurse shared that the lack of black doctors rendered black nurses as the sole healthcare providers in some communities. After years of speaking out against segregation, any capable human, regardless of race or gender can now become a nurse. In the 21st century both men and women of all cultures are welcome to becoming a nurse. Though nursing remains a female dominated profession, the gap between male and female nurses has narrowed. In 1970, three percent of nurses were males compared to ten percent in 2013 (Tanner,

Her Mexican background and female gender both carry negative connotations that can affect her experiences within an occupation. In addition to herself, gender and race-based discrimination affects many people and so, by bringing attention to the issue, she and her fellow feminists could make an enormous impact on the affected population- women and people of color. At her conference, Ana, Bose, and Whaley would propose introducing affirmative-action legislation that would aid in desegregating occupations, which would in turn, help reduce discriminatory treatment of workers. Abandoning stereotypical lessons of masculine men and feminine women in regards with the academic fields/occupations people decide to go into also would also aid in reducing sex

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

Gender stereotypes are one of the most common encountered on a daily basis. The infamous ‘Glass Ceiling’ still exists in many areas of the professional world, restricting valid promotions simply based on gender. This type of concept can be verified by looking at comparative weekly wages of other professionals in a variety of industries. Most people will generally see female dominated occupations, such as nurse, teacher and secretary as requiring feminine personality traits and physical attributes for success; whereas male dominated occupations such as doctor, lawyer, and business executive are seen to require male personality traits for success (Sanderson, 2010, p. 344).

Historically, women particularly women of color and women raised in working class families—have not had access to well paid, prestigious, professional jobs and so have not had access to discourse that is culturally intelligible within that realm. While white working class men 's stories about upward mobility feature obstacles related to their social class origins, professional women 's stories also include barriers created

Male nurses are not typically encouraged by the society we live in today. Men are not in favor of being called nurses and maybe would have a bit more encouragement if the caregiver word would simply be changed from ‘nurse’ to ‘medic’ (Gorgos). Just the change in title can make a positive difference to both men and women in the nursing field. Men and women enter the nursing career with the same goals and interests; but are still yet separated by the name ‘nurse’ and ‘male nurse’ (Kouta). Eddie Hebert a 35-year nursing veteran claims that the caregiver one usually pictures a white woman. This image is being projected into the American public. He believes that, “Caregiving is not feminine; it's universal.” The lack of men in nursing though is, “a result of cultural stereotypes and image” (Gorgos). On the

“The Glass Castle” by Jeanette Walls is an extremely captivating novel that really kept my attention throughout the entire story. It’s a fascinating story of growing up in circumstances that kept me shaking my head as I turned the pages. The Walls family is unquestionably one unlike any I’ve ever come across. The lessons and experiences that the children learned and endured were ones that molded their lives and established who they are today. Jeanette Walls goes through many descriptions of situations that she faced that people normally should not face. For most of her childhood, her family traveled from town to town because her parents always thought that they would hit it big, unfortunately her father was never ever to find a

The glass ceiling is something still very present in today’s society. Women in the workforce are constantly trying to break through barriers set by society to break away from stereotypes. Many women work twice as hard and still get paid significantly less than their male co-workers. They experience sex typing from a young age being pushed to study more “feminine” occupations, such as nursing. While on the other hand men are encouraged to seek positions of power and leadership. If a woman decides to choose an occupation that demands the use of intellectual thinking, they are given boundaries to which they are limited. Women are seen as the weaker sex and have been severely over diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or any other type of mental illness. We see this issue addressed in Virginia Woolf’s “Professions for Women” and Susanna Kaysen’s memoir “ Girl, Interrupted”. Women are taught to that they need to display certain behavior and uphold a perfect appearance in order to be taken seriously in society. Charlotte Perkins Stetson uses the art of writing to bring us along the emotional ride of a woman who’s true feelings were labeled unreliable in her story “ The Yellow Wall-Paper”. For decades women have struggled with being treated as subordinates and this continues today. We are able to see the unjust treatment of women reflected in their salaries, promotions, and general treatment in the workforce, specifically the medical field.

Christine Williams broadens themes developed in ‘Gender Differences At Work: Women and Men in Non-Traditional Occupations’ (Berkeley: University of California, 1989), a comparison between the effects on male nurses and female marines of working in ‘gendered occupations’, to be traditionally allied by reason of similarities in their historical development and in their gender composition . Her interviews provide fascinating evidence of how both men and women are subtly socialized into professional gender ideology. Gender roles are based on society's values and beliefs about interactions between individuals. The appropriate behavior is then expected from the specific gender. The reason behind this is, our knowledge system, in which we grew up

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.

Gender plays a huge role in workplace 'success' and can be a big challenge especially if the employee is a woman in a male dominated workplace or career. No matter how 'hard-nosed,' 'ruthless,' 'workaholic' a woman may be, or how much personal success she achieves, there will always tend to be some type of obstacle to keep her from getting completely to the top of the corporate ladder. She must also still fight stereotypes that undermines her confidence or limits her potential. Since the early 20th century, women and minorities have sought equal opportunities in education and in the labor force with little success. These obstacles or barriers are all known as the glass ceiling.

Women today have progressed to unprecedented levels, however, in all the ways women have advanced, “There has been remarkably little change in the gender balance of some of the most common occupations for either women or men during the last forty years “(p. 5). There was a large decline in the 80’s in workplace segregation, but since then, gender integration in the workplace has been relatively stagnant. This is largely related to the gender stigmas attached to fields such as teachers or health care workers that are largely dominated by women. There is an undeniable wage penalty for working in predominately female occupations that also deters men from these fields. The Department of Labor suggests many possible policies to be made in order to tackle this issue if the goal of equal opportunity for women wishes to be

Stereotype threats are negative consequences about one’s race, sex, nationality, or social group. Stereotype threats are used a lot more frequently than people realize. Gender is a powerful stereotype that affects many people’s decisions and actions. The stereotype of women in the workplace has come a long way even in the last twenty years. Many businesses tend to want to diversify their demographics by making the ratio of men to women almost equal. “Demographic projections anticipate that by the year 2000 women will exceed 50 per cent of the total workforce…” (Johnston and Packer, 1987). Women were able to make their way in to the workplace when men were off at war during the 1950s. During this time, women proved their ability to do the same kind of jobs men did. Many women worked as machinist, factory workers, and clergies.

One statistical study shows that “since 1970, women have grown from 9.7 percent of physicians to 32.4 percent in 2010”(Strasser, Annie). Similarly, “The new study, Men in Nursing Occupations, shows the proportion of male registered nurses has more than tripled since 1970, from 2.7 percent to 9.6 percent”(MacPhail, J. (1996). As the growth of women becoming doctors tripled, women were admired for their dedication and hard work. Yet as more men became nurses they weren’t praised, they were made fun of. But why is that? It’s because see nursing as a step down from being a doctor. It’s the “female role” which means it’s

Some organizations mirror society’s idea about which group of workers are appropriate for certain types of jobs. Although hiring and promotion are supposed to be based on rational and universal criteria, they often express informal expectations about gender, race, and class of the people best suited for particular positions, producing race and gender stratified work forces. Men are thought to be more ambitious, task-oriented, and work involved; while women are considered less motivated, less committed, and more geared towards work relationships than work itself.