The Modern Woman: Gender Discrimination In The Workplace

At the current rate of progress, it will take 108 years to close the gender gap in the United States (Wulfhorst). The Cambridge Dictionary definition of a gender gap is the discrepancy in opportunities, status, and attitudes, between men and women. Because of the patriarchal-dominated society in the United States, it is hard to break out of the habits of sexism that have always been prominent in this country. All women face discrimination at some point in their lives whether they recognize it or not, because this society has been long dominated by men. This essay will discuss what types of discrimination women face, the effect that discrimination has on women, how sexism and dominance can lead to rape, gender inequality in the workplace, and how to further close the gender gap and end discrimination.

In 1776, the year that the United States was founded, women’s rights were far inferior to the rights that women have now. Feminists had to fight hard for laws to be put in place regarding equal rights for women and men. Abigail Adams was one of the earliest feminists and in a letter she wrote to her husband John Adams in 1776, she pleaded for him to “remember the ladies” referring to the lack of marriage rights that women had during that time. Women like Abigail Adams have had to lead the fight for equality for the past two-hundred and forty plus years. In 1910, the United States Supreme court denied women the right to persecute their husbands for assault, so men could abuse their wives without worry of repercussion (Campbell). Women fought this law as well as many others and have been granted more equality over the past two-hundred, but there are still struggles. While women have the right to vote, and are able to prosecute men who abuse and rape them, women do not have equal pay and women still face discrimination every single day.

Gender Discrimination

Many working women in the United States face discrimination daily in their place of employment. For example, on average, women get paid less than men for doing equal amounts of work. In 2018, a full-time working woman made 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, creating a gender wage gap of 18% (Childers). 2019 showed a back sliding trend with women earning only 79 cents for every dollar earned by men (Elkins). It has also been shown that women are looked down on by male coworkers and often experience harassment in and out of the workplace. One survey revealed that 38% of women said they have experienced some form of sexual harassment in their place of work (NPR, A New Survey Finds 81 Percent Of Women Have Experienced Sexual Harassment).

Based on research done by psychologists from the U.S, Canada, and the European Union, conclusions can be made that subtle yet real barriers have been put in place, hindering the advancement of women. Lines are drawn between girls and boys at a very young age, and by the time girls become women and start looking for jobs, they often deal with misconceptions that they do not belong in the corporate world. These misconceptions often stem from elementary education.

In elementary schools, teachers spend more time teaching boys math and science and more time teaching girls language arts. An article written by Joseph Cimpian, titled How Our Education System Undermines Gender Equity, outlines the policies that are in place in elementary schools that attempt to eliminate gender inequity; however, these policies often do not prevent this issue. In 2011, Sara Lubienski, a professor of math education, conducted a study using a group of kindergarteners. Lubienski found that “no average gender gap in math test scores existed when boys and girls entered kindergarten, but a gap of nearly 0.25 standard deviations developed in favor of the boys by around second or third grade” (Cimpian, ‘How Our Education System Undermines Gender Equity’, 2018).

Many professions that are stereotyped as “male”, such as medicine, architecture, and engineering, use skills learned in math and science. The disparity faced by girls in the teaching methods in these fields at the elementary education level, along with cultural expectations, stereotypes, job requirements and interest from employers are a key reason why many women elect not to enter these professions.

In high school, girls are more likely to be discouraged from playing sports and participating in math and science clubs, and this trend follows them into college. From very early on in their lives, girls are often directed to follow a path in female-dominated careers such as nursing and teaching. There are currently more women in the workforce than men, but it is still only in those professions that are stereotyped as “feminine” where women maintain a majority. Women earn 50.7% of all professional degrees, including earning 49.6% of law degrees and 47.4% of degrees in medicine (Catalyst, Women in the Workforce – United States). While these are not low numbers, they still constitute a minority of the professions. This shows that the fact that from birth girls are pushed towards a certain career or path makes it hard to break away from that system.

The Issue of Rape and Sexual Assault

Rape and sexual assault are very prevalent problems in our society, and 91% of victims are women and girls (Victims of Sexual Violance). Somewhere in America, a woman is raped every two minutes (Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs). In countries across the world, it has been shown that rape is much more common in patriarchal societies (Johnson). A study done by Richard R. Johnson shows that women who achieve success in patriarchal societies often experience backlash in many forms, including rape. Men often justify the rape of women by saying “she was asking for it,” or “women mean yes when they say no,” or “most women eventually relax and enjoy it” (Scully, Marolla). Rapists objectify the women based on their bodies, attitude, and clothing. It is often said that one person will rape another person based on sexual attraction and gratification, but in truth, rapes are really based on the goal of control, power, and domination (Kalra, Bhugra). Rape victims suffer a variety of mental and physical injuries after the event. PTSD is the most common effect and is more common to see in women and girls than men (Rainn.org). Often women are too ashamed to seek or do not have access to proper healthcare. These women are forced to live with their physical and emotional wounds often for their whole lives, a situation that often leaves them very vulnerable and more at risk. It has also been reported that women and girls are subject to rape and sexual assault because, from a young age, boys are taught feelings of superiority over women which they feel justifies their violent actions against them (Kalra, Bhugra, 2013).

Lingering Perceptions

There are many perceptions of how women should act, how they should speak, and what they should wear, and many of these perceptions stem from ideas in the 18th century. Yet even today, women face these outmoded ideas. For example, Ernst and Young, a company that employs 270,000 people, completed a training for their women employees in 2018 and instructed women how to act and dress around men. “Women should dress flatteringly but should not wear short skirts” (Ernst and Young training video). Women are said to be gullible and motherly which are not qualities that are seen as beneficial in the workforce. Women and girls are expected to dress nicely, be polite, and be quiet. Men are expected to be strong, bold, and aggressive (Planned Parenthood). While some women might possess all or some of these “feminine” qualities, few women or men possess 100% of them. It is common that women face backlash for not fulfilling these stereotypes. When a woman does show these traits (for example when a woman cries in the workplace, thereby demonstrating sensitivity), she is often told that she is unfit for her job, or not acting “professional’ enough. Women are supposed to be emotional but are told not to cry. Women and girls are expected to live up to these stereotypes but are targeted when they show emotions. Women and girls are expected to conform to society but are targeted for being too feminine or for not being feminine enough. There is a fine line that women are expected to walk, and it is nearly impossible to not step off without facing some form of mistreatment.

Conclusion

Whether it is a minor comment or a truly harmful act, all women face some sort of harassment at some point in their lives. Women should not have to live in fear of the prospect of being raped on their way home from school or work and they should never be put in a position to feel inferior to men based on gender. In a society dominated by men, women are expected to conform to their values. People need to acknowledge that these stereotypes and types of discrimination women face are very real. Men need to see that women are capable of the same jobs, and women need to speak out when they feel discrimination or stereotypes pushed on them by this patriarchal society. “If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice, or representation.” (Adams, 1776).