Gender+Equity

Gender Equity As a young man in the twenty-first century, developing in a society where the effects of war, politics, economy, and the beginnings of a recession appear, we, the men in society, are often approached with the question of the role of women in our society. As in most typical cultures in our world today, women are looked to as the housekeepers, family consultants, and the ‘maids’ of the home. However, is this because what men want? Or is it the lack of a woman’s position in the world and disinterest on the ‘open field’ that keeps them in the situation they have been in, at minimum for the past two centuries? Gender Equity does exist. Women have their rights to take a position in the world, and it is with their power, respect and, dominance in the society to look past the glass ceiling, that will give them the same and equal opportunities in the world today. The role of women in society has been a major part in the development of Western Civilization whether people want to believe it or not. It was not a man who sat at the front of a bus refusing to give his seat up to a white person boarding, or a man who fought for women’s suffrage; rather, it was the strength and perseverance of women who believed in respect, power, and equality among the sexes and races, who pushed for the change of women’s roles in a society. These women were the ‘outcasts’ in society, but truly they were the backbone and glue to the beginning of what has opened up so many doors for women and other minorities in our society today. Take two women for example, Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey. There are two things both women have in common. They are both part of minorities in this country and are fighting for their equality. These women never gave into social pressure, diminished expectations, the media, or the sense of failure; instead they pushed through the barriers and succeeded. Oprah, a black woman and the richest woman in the United States, has pushed through not only the barrier of race, but also the barrier of the glass ceiling. She rose in her profession and at the same time, gave her race the belief that if you push yourself, one day, you can succeed too. On the other side of the picture, Ellen, is a lesbian growing up and pursuing her dream in a biased society. Unlike Oprah, however, she lives in the realm of a sexist society against ‘gays’. Again, she pushed passed the barrier of the glass ceiling, but her toughest challenge was pushing past the stereotypical approach to her being a lesbian, and with that, putting her out on the national daytime screens around the country. These two women epitomize the basis of this topic, and with further investigation, will give example to the world around us about how it is up to women to accept their options in the world around us, and it all starts at the beginning. As we start our schooling we enjoy our friends, activities, and recess, but there has always been one event in particular I looked forward to, Career Day. As children we dream of being princesses, basketball players, wizards, and many more; however, as we grow up many things change, our interests, activities, classes, and even our friends. Reflecting back on my past as a child, I always dreamed of being that stay at home father. I took the opposite of the socially accepted gender roles. I always dreamed of marrying a lawyer or doctor, and becoming the stay at home father, doing the dished, laundry, cooking, taking care of the children, and somewhere in there, finding time for my art work. As time went on I found that house husbandry as a career choice unattainable for me. I enjoy being with children, but it was not what I wanted, instead, I wanted to become a teacher. As our dreams fade away, I began to change, and I evaluate what was most important, and what I need to do in my life.

I noticed after many career days, girls changed their mind from being the ‘all and powerful’ princess, and began choosing careers more traditionally known for women, nursing or pharmacy for example. Surprisingly for those others, which in recent years seem to be multiplying, choose to become mothers. As my mother told me, “There is this gut feeling we have as young women to raise a child and experience the joys in life and watch our children grow.” (Stauffer) Louise Story reports on a similar comment, a young woman, Ms. Lui, a student at Yale University stated, “Not every woman can be the best mother and hold down a job at the same time, rather one must choose which is better” (219). Many women tend to believe this from personal experience; however, women aren’t only the caregivers, but also the biggest supporters. As Chinua Achebe wrote in his novel __Things Fall Apart__, I t's true that a [|child]  belongs to its father. But when a father beats his child, it seeks sympathy in its mother's hut. A man belongs to his fatherland when things are good and life is sweet. But when there is sorrow and bitterness he finds refuge in his motherland. Your mother is there to protect you. She is buried there. And that is why we say that mother is supreme. (134)    As Chinua had stated, both men and women have a role in the family. They have two options, take the socially accepted gender roles in a family or take the opposite side of the gender roles traditions. However, as he proposed, women will always hold the comfort, and love for a child, where as the father will tend to be harder on his child. Therefore, the real question is, are women scared not of gender equity, but rather not being able to be super mom? My mother is a babysitter. I have watched parents miss out on all the activity and growing up, which in return answers why women become mothers. As Furchtogott-Roth states, “’ Many men and women, especially mothers, do not want to do this [stay at work for long hours]. Moving in and out of the work force in accordance with family demands is not conducive to being a CEO of a major corporation. There is nothing wrong with choosing a career which allows more time at home with less pay rather than one with more time at work with more pay, and in either case women should not be considered victims of a glass ceiling. ‘” ( The Gale Group, Inc) In other terms, women are not at the glory of the glass ceiling. They, both men and women, are the ones who choose their path in life. They choose the high road of long hours and a great pay out, or the low road, fewer hours and less or a pay out, but time with their children. The glass ceiling may exists, but it’s the choice of the view to stand and look up to or go above it and look down. Realistically, by the views of many women, they become mothers to be the protector, and super mom, the superior giver of love and protection. While trying to become super mom, many women in the beginning are faced with obstacles within the work force and many other obstacles in their personal lives: family time, ability to be promoted, daily hours, and for women and minorities alike, the ‘glass ceiling’. According to __The American Heritage College Dictionary__, the glass ceiling is, “An unacknowledged discriminatory barrier that prevents women and minorities from rising to positions of power or responsibility, as within a corporation” (589). On top of this everlasting phenomenon, men are able to effortlessly move up in a company. As most common knowledge knows, it is readily viewed in the corporate world, but is on the rise in many other popular career paths such as nursing. As Thomas-Hunt and Phillips found in a study conducted in 2004, women who had higher knowledge in an area were viewed as less valuable, but men with the same qualifications were viewed has having positive attributes in their work. (“Glass Ceiling”). With the glass ceiling comes other opportunities for men to go in opposition to the fight against gender equity. The glass elevator for example advances the promotion of men in a woman’s field. With the common outrage of the glass ceiling, is it really discrimination against women since, Furchtogott-Roth stated, that they would rather stay at home than work all the hours to the top; therefore, it is up to women to fight against the glass ceiling, rather than give up and join the rest. The glass ceiling may limit the advancement of women in a company, but it does not limit their budget. Thirty years ago, fifty-nine cents on the dollar was a very popular phrase commonly heard. It was said, according to Aaron Bernstein, that women made 77% the income of men (Bernstein), however according to new statistics, a woman makes 44% of that of a man in a life time based in a study by Stephen J. Rose, economist of macro International inc. ( "Dismissing 'Sexist Opinions' About Women's Place in Science" ). Even though this may be true it’s because of the number of part –time women who work. Gender Equity is not completely biased against women because of sex; still it is the decision of women and their place in the world that keeps the stereotypical effect in the common knowledge and vocabulary. It is up to these women to use their power as women to gain respect, and with respect, to succeed. As Bella Abzug once said, “ Women will not simply be mainstreamed into the polluted stream. Women are changing the stream, making it clean and green and safe for all -- every gender, race, creed, sexual orientation, age, and ability” (Pathways to Peace). In the view of Opera and Ellen, part of two separate minorities that make a great impact on our world today, it was up to them to make a position in this world for themselves, and with their fight not only for equity, but also for respect and dignity in the world, they achieved what every woman dreams of doing some day. It is with the compassion of these two women for example and the strength to push forward that women get to where they are today. Women are not being thrown into the polluted stream; rather they are being thrown into a stream where it is up to them to make it what they want. It is up to them to decide whether to take the stereotypical gender role in life and give into the stream and flow with the water, or if they will fight for what they believe and take a stance on the ‘open field’ and swim against the current. That is the point in their life where men and women are treated equally, by taking a chance at a loosing game with power, respect, and dignity.  Works Cited Achebe, Chinua. __Things Fall Apart__. New York, NY: Chelsea House, 2003. 134. Bernstein, Aaron. "Women's Pay: Why The Gap Remains A Chasm." __ BusinessWeek __. 14 June 2004. 3 Oct. 2008 . Dean, Cornelia. "Dismissing 'Sexist Opinions' About Women's Place in Science." __The New York Times__. 16 July 2006. 5 Oct. 2008 . The Gale Group, Inc. "Gender Inequality in the Work Place." __WiseTo Social Issues__. 2007. 6 Oct. 2008 . "Glass Ceiling." __Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia__. 2 Oct. 2008. 4 Oct. 2008 . Pathways To Peace. "Women's Rights Quotes." __Culture of Peace Initiative__. 2006. 3 Oct. 2008 . Pickett, Joseph P., David R. Pritchard, and Christopher Leonesio, eds. "Glass ceiling." Def. 1. __The American Heritage College Dictionary__. 4th ed. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2007. 589. Stauffer, Susan. “Personal Interview.” 1 Oct. 2008 Story, Louise, ed. "Many Women at Elite Colleges Set Career Path to Motherhood." __Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum__. Ed. Laurence Behrens and Leonard J. Rosen. 10th ed. New York, NY: Pearson Longman, 2008. 291-94.