Introduction

Thank you for joining me on a journey through the issues of Gender Equality!  I hope this blog will not only educate you about many of the issues surrounding women today, but also I hope to inspire and encourage you to take action to help change the future for the women in our world.  In order for genuine equality to exist between men and women, our existing ideas and thoughts must change.  I not only believe that each of us can make a difference in the lives of women, but I also have hope that together, we can change the world and how we view each other.  So take a ride with me and get inspired to believe that Gender Equality is attainable in our lifetime!

Gender Equality in America and The Wage Gap

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to discuss gender inequality and some of the problems that women are facing in America, including the wage gap and the lack of family-friendly policies in the workplace that hinder how women choose their careers. There is also discussion of how our society can shift our thinking in order to make the responsibilities at home more equal and also change how women and mothers are viewed in the workplace. This issue needs attention because there is such a lack of understanding surrounding women and the workplace and light needs to be shed on the problems women and mothers are facing. Society must change their thinking in order to solve the problem of gender inequality for once and for all.

Gender Equality in America and The Wage Gap

Women have faced many challenges throughout history and gender inequality is one that women have been forced to deal with for many years. Women still have to deal with gender inequality even in the progressive world that we live in today. One has to ask why that is. What causes gender inequality and why are women struggling to occupy jobs that are high-paying and on the same professional career paths as men? Americans have generally shared the belief that men should be the breadwinners of the household, and although there have been more and more women who have broken this mold, women still have the primary responsibility of taking care of our children as well as the daily running of their households. In recent history women have made great progress in breaking that stereotype, pushing through the doors of the workplace only to face the new challenges that greet them. Women are under-represented in high-paying fields causing a significant wage gap while dealing with policies that will not allow them to thrive.

Zoe Savitsky, in her essay Inertia and Change: Findings of The Shriver Report and Next Steps, found that:

In just forty years, women have gone from being around one-third of the workforce to making up more than half. Nonetheless, to cite a paradigmatic example of how little has changed, women still only make seventy-seven cents to every dollar men earn, and the gender wage gap has barely narrowed in over a decade. (173) 

What can be done to change our nation’s thinking about women in the workplace to enable them to climb the ladder of success without being held back? Women are being asked to handle the majority of the household responsibilities and the care of their children. Despite those ample responsibilities, they must work without enough support from their spouses, the workplace and society. The more people can do to help women, the better use everyone can make of the varied talents in our society.  

The women of America are staring at a dilemma where the desire to pursue their dreams is being cut by a stark reality. There is no shortage of responsibility at home and the workplace is a cold environment where the challenges women face, by having to juggle their personal and professional lives, is simply not understood. Most women, consequently, follow their dreams only to the places where they know they will be welcome and hours might be flexible. This prevents them from finding the jobs that may be the most rewarding, pay the most, and require the most time commitment; therefore, America is not equally represented by both genders in the workplace. 

Although fifty-seven percent of college students are women (Marklein par. 1), according to Mary Ann Mason, they obtain an average of sixty percent of all college associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees (1). Women are graduating with degrees in fields that are low-paying, like education, nursing, or with degrees like art history that do not lend themselves to successful careers. They are continuing to be under represented in the highest-paying jobs, like law, medicine, science, engineering and mathematics because they are afraid to get degrees and go into fields that they fear will not be family-friendly, resulting in the choice of lower-paid jobs.  Savitsky explains further why many women are choosing this route:

Women enter “female” professions not merely because they are attracted to the material, but also because many of these workplaces, being predominately female, are more open to the flexible schedules and family-friendly structures that many women need.  Thus the gender wage gap is self-reinforcing: women continue to enter fields, professions, and workplaces that are responsive to their needs, but in doing so, they remain in jobs that pay less than their similarly situated, similarly educated male cohort. (182)

As education provides an avenue into the workplace, we are seeing an under representation of women in high-paying jobs primarily because women are looking for ways to balance work and family. Women have many responsibilities at home that often are not shared equally by their spouse. These basic responsibilities like cooking, cleaning, taking care of children, not to mention the many appointments and extra-curricular activities of families (Gilbert 12) which can take away from a woman’s energy. This over extension leads to excess stress and health problems if not properly shared. Women have to keep their many responsibilities in mind when looking for work and oftentimes find discrimination and a lack of toleration when requesting more flexible hours to deal with the many issues they might face.  Mary Ann Mason explains this in more detail when she states:      

One reason that women may be encouraged or even choose not to enter male-dominated   educational fields and occupations is that once female graduates enter the workforce, they     find inflexible workplace policies that can exacerbate gender inequalities (policies that   are often inflexible across the board, but may be exacerbated in male-dominated fields).  Knowing this, students choose jobs they perceive to be more family friendly. (2) 

            The family-friendly policies that most women feel would provide the best work experience are in-house or close to work day care providers, flexible hours and parental leave. For families where both parents work, in-house childcare can greatly reduce the anxiety that comes with their children spending forty hours a week alone under someone else’s supervision. To be able to check in on their children, and spend lunch hours with them, is something that today’s parents are seeking. Fifty-four percent of women, and forty-nine percent of men, believe that more flexible hours would contribute to a parent’s ability to balance their job (Mason 1).

The latest from the American people

Q: Which of these things, in particular, would need to change in order for working parents to balance evenly their job, their marriage, and their children?

Source: Better Educating Our New Breadwinners by Mary Ann Mason, The Shriver Report, 2009.

Businesses, like Microsoft, Ernst & Young, and Aflac are finding that integrating these policies into their workplace is translating into business success (Holland par. 1). If we ever hope to see more women in the workplace and the wage gap reduced, more companies will follow suit. 

We not only need to change workplace policies to better integrate the job market and reduce the wage gap, but there are other areas as well that need improvement. Among the most important improvement is changing the way young women view education and the possibility of becoming more than a low wage earner in life. Women need the self confidence to realize their potential and to know that they do not have to depend on a man to live a comfortable life. Women can have it all and the more our mothers teach our daughters and sons the possibilities, the more we will see the gender war come to a close. “Because mothers provide the primary female model for most children, those mothers who have higher education, and thus greater openness to feminist ideas, are more likely to pass on their gender-egalitarian ideals to their male and female children” (qtd. in Bolzendahl and Myers 766). By increasing women’s interest in high-paying fields like science, engineering and mathematics, we better prepare them to compete in the high-wage job market. According to Lisa Rowles, an Ivy League graduate and scientist who has thirty years in her field, her love of science came about because of her mother’s encouragement.  When she realized that she excelled in the field, doors opened up for her and she began a career that she feels truly validated by. When asked how women can take more notice in technology and science, she felt that women need to believe that they can excel in these fields and that society and their religious community will support them.   

By decreasing the wage gap, we would move our country forward into the future.  For that to happen, we need a paradigm shift of our entire society. The change starts at home, in the classroom and between the sexes by altering the mind set of young men and women. A revolution is needed to change the way men view the home and their roles inside it. No longer is it a woman’s job to work, and take care of the responsibility that a family entails. The men of younger generations are learning that the more they help out around the house, the happier their wives are, and the more self esteem and energy they have to be successful and give back to their families. No longer should men feel threatened by women in the workplace or view them in a negative light when they are trying to succeed in their job. Tara Dooley illustrates that, “Women who are competitive and assertive are often penalized for not being feminine or likable enough.  Those who are feminine are often deemed incompetent” (par. 27). No longer should an identical resume to another be passed up because of a person’s sex or family status. 

America needs to get more benefit from everyone in society, not just from one sex or one race. There are talented women across America that can strengthen the workplace. Research has shown that women high up on the corporate ladder have a positive effect on the company. As an example, Anna Quindlen reports that “Fortune 500 companies with the most women in top positions yielded, on average, a 35 percent higher return on equity than those with the fewest female corporate officers” (par. 7). This is a statistic that should not be surprising, but to many, it just is. 

The glass ceiling can be broken and gender equality is something that can be realized in our lifetime. Instead of competing with one another, the workplace should be a cooperative environment where women are free to add their talent to the company.  Fathers need to realize that supporting their wives with household responsibilities will only help their family.  Finding ways to work together to be a better example for our children is needed in order to have a truly healthy society. It will not only benefit women, but it will also help our children realize what the possibilities are. With more women and men deciding to be role models there will be more mothers and fathers leading a good example for their children who will ultimately follow in their footsteps. Women have made tremendous progress and it is time now for our nation to help write the ending to the struggle we have faced for so long.

Works Cited

     

            Bolzendahl, Catherine & Myers, Daniel.  “Feminist Attitudes and Support for Gender Equality; Opinion Change in Women and Men, 1974-1988.”  The University of North Carolina Press. (2004) 83(2): 759-790. EBSCO. Web. 19 Sept. 2010.

            Dooley, Tara. “Women in the Workplace The Road to Equality paved with Detours.  Perception        of gender roles, and children, can affect pay work. Houston Chronicle 6 September 2010: 1. ProQuest. Web. 18 Sept. 2010.

            Gilbert, Neil. “FAMILY LIFE: SOLD ON WORK.” Society 42.3 (2005):  12-17. Academic Search  Complete. EBSCO. Web. 22 Set. 2010.

            Holland, C.C. “Family-Friendly Policies from Family-Friendly Companies.” BNET.com (2007). Web. 18 Sept. 2010.

           Marklein, Mary Beth. “College gender gap widens; 57% are Women.” USA Today. (2005). Web. 19 Sept. 2010.

           Mason, Mary Ann. “Better Educating Our New Breadwinners.”  The Shriver Report. (2009): 1-13. Web. 19 Sept. 2010.

            Quindlen, Anna. “Everyday Equality.” Newsweek 148.13 (2006):  84. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 20 Sept. 2010.

            Savitsky, Zoe. "Inertia and Change: Findings of The Shriver Report and Next Steps." Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law & Justice 25.(2010): 172-198. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 18 Sept. 2010. 

Personal Pieces of Writing

Fear is the sound of my husband’s boots as they hit the floor

I can no longer taste the freedom of my childhood

I once had a mother that sang to me and a father that would kiss my cheek

No longer can I see them

This man has taken my youth, my light, my beauty

I am forever tainted

I feel his breath on my skin and I ache for love

No longer am I alive to feel the warmth of the sun

I open my mouth

the sound desperate to escape

Doesn’t anyone hear my cry?

I feel the blood once inside me slowly falling to the floor

And I ache for love

I savor the end in my mouth

No light

And I am lost in darkness

Forever

I have two beautiful children, Jackson and Kiley, ages four and one and a half and I have recently decided to be a stay at home Mom.  I never understood what it meant to be a Mother before I had children, but the minute they were born, I realized that all the sacrifices I would now make throughout my life, all the joy and heartbreak I would experience in the years to come would be neatly wrapped up in the title of “Motherhood.”   The love and emotion that I felt was like no other.  I knew that day that I would do whatever it took to keep them safe and to give them the opportunity to flourish into the people they were destined to become.  I made the choice to stay at home with my children because I wanted to make sure they were raised with respect, intelligence and unconditional love.

I have the utmost respect for people who run daycare centers, but I knew that a Mother’s nourishment early in a child’s life could not be replaced.  I was uncomfortable with the thought of someone else taking my place and raising my children.  A child’s experiences throughout their life can either change their spirits in a positive or negative way and I wanted my children to be able to have their first few years of life spent with all of the love that could fill their hearts.  I didn’t want the choice I made to possibly diminish all my effort of positive influence.  I wanted to be the one to inspire them, to teach and encourage them and to learn together about their world. 

This decision to stay home would not come without great sacrifice. The primary burden has been financial, which has been the biggest source of stress and anxiety for us.  Over the course of parenthood, we have suffered job loss, financial debt, and moved in with family in order to stay afloat. 

We have been hit hard, but despite the negative, my life has changed in unimaginable positive ways.  The love and emotion I feel as I watch my children grow, learn and become individuals is indescribable.  To be there to hear first words, to everyday feel the warmth of their cuddle, to know that only Mommy can kiss a bump like no other fills me up to the brim with pride.  I am constantly aware of how lucky I am and how blessed I am to be present for it all.  I genuinely appreciate everyday with them and I know in my heart that I am doing something remarkable.  What I am giving up doesn’t compare to what I am getting in return.

I am comforted to know that even though we have given up a relaxed two income lifestyle and might not have expensive clothes or drive a fancy car, I am raising two of the most respectful, compassionate, and loving children I could have ever imagined.  My children might have hand me down shoes to run with, but they are running with the knowledge that two loving parents are behind them, ready to catch them when they fall.  That, to me, means more than the status of my bank account.   I know that our decision for me to stay home was the best thing I have ever done in my life and the sacrifices we are making now are the right ones for the future.   

             

 

Visual Elements

 

Painting by Kasey McLaughlin-Price 

Violence and Peace

Interview with Senator Kate Kelly

Q. When looking at the Idaho State Senate and House of Representatives,  I see that about 24% are women.  How do you feel about that number and what has your experience been being a woman in politics in Idaho?  

A. I think being a woman in the Idaho Senate has made me stand out and allowed me to be a role model for younger women (like you!) which has been good.  When I entered the Senate in 2005, we had only 4 women out of 35 senators.  We have doubled that number and I am glad for that and hope that my example has helped to inspire others to public service.

  

Q. Do you feel that you face challenges related to your gender? 

A. No.  

Q. Have you ever felt discriminated against or had any experiences where you felt that you were not heard or promoted because you were a woman? 

A. No.
  

Q. I read on your profile that you have three children.  Have you faced any challenges dividing your time between work and family and has that ever been an issue for you in your career? 

A. Balancing a family and a career is a challenge for every mother and the right balance is different for each mother and each family.  My situation has been complicated by the fact that I have been a single mother since my kids were small, but I have been able to find a good balance.  

Q. Have you ever been passed up for any opportunities because you were a woman and/or had family responsibilities?  

A. Not that I know of.

Q. How can you advise women to get into politics or to further their education in fields where they can better integrate the job market?
  

A. Find a mentor and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.   

Interview with Lisa Rowles PG

Lisa Rowles PG  (professional (and licensed) geologist)
Environmental Hydrogeologist
Department of Environmental Quality
State of Idaho
  

Q.  What made you decide to become a scientist?  

A.  I wanted a good job that offered flexibility.  My first major job was working in an electronics company in Silicon Valley and I met alot of people who hated their jobs but didn't feel like they could leave because they made good money and didn't know how to do anything else.  I wanted a job that I liked and made good money.  I also didn't want to get into a rut like those in the electronics field and geology offered flexibility (I could work inside or outside, in the city or the country) I liked that.

Q.  Who encouraged you to choose this profession?  

A.  My mom suggested I take a geology class as my first science requirement during my first year in college (she had taken a field trip with a geology class to the Grand Canyon and had a really good time).  My first geology professor was a really good teacher and was instrumental in helping me realize what a good career geology offered me.  It was also really satisfying to be able to look around me and see what I was learning.

Q. Did you have other interests?  

A. I was an art major when I started in college and was taking both art and general education requirements when I decided to switch to a science major.  (I did alot better in my science classes then I ever thought I would)... I  decided to pursue geology because I wanted a good (and flexible) job and didn't want to be a waitress to support my art.  I decided that while art could always be a hobby, science probably never would so decided to stick with the science when in college.

Q.  Are you happy that you chose this profession?  

A.   Yes, it has been everything I had hoped it would be.  I have worked in downtown San Francisco and the deserts of Nevada.  I have slept in a tent under the stars all summer and worn hiking boots all day.  I have worked in an office and worn nylons and pumps.  I have thought about pure research (when at the US Geological Survey), looked for oil (with BP), looked for gold (with Noranda), cleaned up soil and ground water from urban contamination (in an environmental consulting firm), and worked for the state to regulate polluters and help keep drinking water safe.  It has offered flexibility, fun, intellectual challenge and good pay.

Q.  Do you have any ideas how our nation can educate women to choose high-paying professions?  

A. The first thing we need to do is provide science classes in primary and secondary school so girls and young women aren't so afraid of science and engineering related subjects.  We also need to support women going to college and believing in themselves.... and believing that they can get a good job and make a difference.  I never realized that I was smart and analytical until I went to my local junior college and was offered a variety of classes and felt the support from my professors.  Women have to believe in themselves and that they have more to offer than just menial labor..... whatever we can do to get women started on the right foot and not to feel intimidated... is the best thing we can do.... and make sure they have the opportunity to learn.....  Junior Colleges are absolutely the best for that.  Not as intimidating as a big 4 year school and classes tend to be smaller.

Q.  How can women take more notice in technology and science?

A.  Women need to believe that they can excel in these fields and that society and their religious community will support them.

Q.  Have you ever felt discriminated against?  

A.  I never have felt discriminated against but I know other women who have.  It is my opinion that you get back what you put out.  Although I realized early on that I needed to work harder and do better than my male counterparts to get noticed ---I always expected to be treated fairly and I was.  Some of the women I have worked with had a chip on their shoulders and when any little thing happened that they didn't like, they blamed it on sexual discrimination..... and that put an aura around them and I believe caused their discrimination.  I expected to be treated fairly, I worked hard, and didn't blame my gender on anything that was going wrong.  I felt responsible for my behavior and the outcomes of my work and didn't blame anyone or anything.

Letters of Inquiry

Kasey McLaughlin-Price

201 West Louisiana Avenue

Nampa, ID  83686

The Asia Foundation

P.O. Box 175

Kabul, Afghanistan

To whom it may concern:

I am a student at the College of Western Idaho and I am currently doing a research project on the women of Afghanistan.   I have been so saddened by my research on the intolerable conditions of Afghan women.  My heart breaks for the abuse they have seen and endured.  As an American woman who lives in a society where my rights are protected, I am saddened by the unbearable conditions that these women face.  I am writing to you today to ask what I can do, as an American, to help?  I fear that Americans are uneducated about their conditions and are unaware of the abuse.  What can we do to raise awareness and bring the Afghan woman into light?  I realize that there are many people around the world, like you, who are constantly working to do this.  I honor your effort and energy and realize that changing a whole society’s views is a difficult uphill battle.  What are some of your efforts that are taking place to help the women of Afghanistan and are you seeing any change?  I read about some women rejoining the work community, starting their own businesses.  I wonder about the challenges they face and if they fear for their lives?  I have also read about their protests and believe that women who are standing up to terror and are putting themselves on the line for freedom are truly the heroes of their nation and our world. 

I deeply thank you for any time that you spend in reply and would be so grateful for any feedback that you could give.   I will never forget the women of Afghanistan and truly hope that their power will someday be given back.  Please let me know if there is anything that we can do as Americans, besides our military presence, to end this battle and give the Afghan women a chance for freedom.

Sincerely,

Kasey McLaughlin-Price

Kasey McLaughlin-Price

201 West Louisiana Avenue

Nampa, ID  83686

Congressman Walt Minnick

33 E. Broadway Avenue, Ste. 251

Meridian, ID  83642

Dear Congressman Minnick,

I am a student at the College of Western Idaho and I am currently doing a research project on gender equality in America.  I would be honored if you could take the time out of your busy schedule to answer a few of my questions.  In doing my research, I found that many women are struggling to balance their personal and professional lives.  Women in America are statistically paid less and many female college graduates are receiving degrees in lower-paying fields than men.  I was wondering if there are any actions taking place in Idaho that educate women on the benefits of a not only a college education but also about the opportunities available to them to receive education in high-paying fields like science and technology?  Not only have I noticed that women are failing in receiving education in high-paying fields, but also that there is a lack of family-friendly policies in the workplace.  Is there any effort taking place that makes companies aware of this problem?  What is your view on the future for women in Idaho?  I would be grateful for your opinion on the direction of these issues and any awareness that you can raise that would benefit the women in our state.   Women are not only lacking the education to prosper, but are also responsible for educating the next generation on how to survive in our suffering economy. 

I would be so grateful for any feedback that you could give me and for any effort on your part to increase awareness.  You are the voice for the people of Idaho and have the capability to reach the citizens of our state.  It is a big responsibility that we have afforded you and I would be appreciative for any time you could take to help the struggling women of Idaho and our country.

Sincerely,

Kasey McLaughlin-Price