The Glass Ceiling is a term used to describe the barrier that keeps women from climbing up the occupational ladder. On average, men earn 23% more than women. There are two main reasons for this. First of all, men are more likely to get hired than women. Men do not come with the stigma attached to them that they might have to take time off of work to have and care for children. Secondly, men make more on average than women doing the exact same job as them. I understand that there are some instances where a man would be better qualified for a job than a woman also interviewing for the same job. I also understand that women taking off work a lot might be a concern for someone. I do not, however, understand why men are paid more to do the same job that a woman would get paid less to do. If two people have the same qualifications then there should be no discrepancy. I cannot think of any reason at all that a man with a Doctorate would be paid more than a woman with a Doctorate at the same job. Our book also describes what is called the glass escalator. This is when a normally female dominated job (nurse, teacher, paralegal) is done by a man and that man has a better chance at getting a raise or leadership position than a woman at the same job. The example that our book uses, which I find very true but have never thought about, is teachers. 75% of teachers are female but only 50% of principals are female. Most of my teachers in elementary school were female, but our principal and vice principal were both male. In my opinion men are more likely to get leadership roles because they are taken more seriously than women. I think equality is important. I don't think that women should start getting more opportunities than men because there have been inequalities in the past. I think it should just be equal. People who do the same job and have the same qualifications should get paid the same regardless of gender, ethnicity, etc. I think the gender gap is getting better, but there is still a long way to go.
2005. Toussaint. The Glass Ceiling. Feminism and Women's Studies. http://feminism.eserver.org/the-glass-ceiling.txt
I have never understood why women are paid less for equal jobs as male counterparts. Although men do tend to get leadership positions, I think the number of female leaders is rapidly increase in the workplace. I feel that some think it is men's societal role to perform jobs above women in the workplace. But women are starting to defy this traditional role. Great steps are being taken to create a workplace of equal pay for women and men. Qualifications are the only barrier that should determine if a man or woman gets the job. Gender should not even be considered. Women, naturally, as you said, have to take off work for things such as child birth. But, can they really use this against us?
ReplyDelete