Work Force Equality Should Be Feminist Focus
Feminism is an ever-changing theory, evolving with time and morphing into more modernized movements. Its history shows three distinct periods, or “waves” that differentiate in method and goals, but all have one common setback: inequality in the work place. This paper will argue that the root of women’s oppression historically and presently is inequality in the work place and that the feminist movement needs to focus on gaining occupational equality both now and in the future. Researching the Internet and interviewing an average twenty-five year old Hispanic female with a high-powered job has provided insight to the oppression of women in the work force, and the progress that women have made up to this point.
First Wave Feminists are remembered for their infamous struggle for suffrage. They stressed the importance of great sacrifice and effort in achieving their goals. Their epic fight for voting rights was successful, though few First Wave Feminists were actually granted the opportunity to participate in an election. They believed that gaining suffrage was a tool for all other achievement. Although winning the right to vote was a great accomplishment, First Wave Feminists failed to recognize the other problems that they faced, including inequality in the workplace. During the First Wave, the first women to ever graduate from dental school, Lucy Hobbs, did so in 1866. Similarly, Frances Elizabeth Willard became the first female college president at Evanston College in 1871 and Suzanna Madora Salter was the first woman mayor in Argonia, Kansas in 1887 (History.com). These women were not recognized by the movement for being a crucial advancement towards equality. It was too uncommon for woman to be doctors, lawyers, and politicians, or have any other high-powered jobs. An extreme setback of the First Wave of Feminism was the fact that they neglected the root of all the problems: job inequality. I believe that women’s suffrage would have been undeniable if women had first earned respect by becoming successful in the working class. Nevertheless, the Second Wave began to recognize the importance of job equality. When the prohibition amendment was passed in 1919, conservatism swept the country causing feminism to diminish, marking the end of the First Wave (Kryger).
World War II sparked the Second Wave of feminism when women were asked to join the labor force while men were on the battlefield. Over six million women started work outside of their homes and icons like Rosie the Riveter encouraged women to be involved (Kryger). After the war ended, women were expected to return to their homes and stop work, but not all were willing to do so. In the 1960’s and 70’s the Equal Rights Amendment was passed, but women were still not satisfied. Both liberal and radical feminists strived for equality in the workplace by fighting for higher wages (Kryger). Second Wave Feminists made leaps and bounds towards equality for all by raising consciousness through sharing of personal experience and being granted the right to an abortion in the famous court case of Roe v. Wade. Second Wave Feminism also introduced a new club called the National Organized for Woman (NOW). Founded by Betty Friedan, the organization had three main focuses: gaining equality in work, education, and politics. Friedan strongly believed that woman should be encouraged to pursue a career as well as motherhood. Overall, the Second Wave made huge improvements for women, including progress in the workplace. World War II allowed for women to recognize their abilities in the labor force and brought us one step closer to equality.
Presently, we are in the Third Wave of feminism. The Third Waves main focus is diversity and multiculturalism. Everyone is included in the feminist movement, whether their acts of feminism are intentional or not. I interviewed Lisa Goldin, an average 25-year-old Hispanic female in order to hear first hand experiences and information about women who have high-powered jobs. In questions where I asked her about oppression or inequality she seemed to always relate her response to the workforce. I observed that Lisa was inspired most by the Third Wave Feminists who also have high-powered jobs. She mentions that Oprah Winfrey is one of the most powerful women in the world because of her extreme success in her career. Women like Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey, and Rosie O’Donnell who rebel against the stereotypical “prefect ten” TV personality, have become successful in their work without having to wear tight, revealing clothes and succumbing to the pressures of the new mainstream media. Another good point that my interviewee brought up is that women are becoming recognized in sports other than gymnastics or figure skating. Female athletes have become more and more famous including Mia Hamm, Venus and Serena Williams, and Michelle Wei. So how could I possibly argue that the root of the female oppression is inequality in the workforce? Although there are a few career-successful female icons, there is solid evidence that men make more money than women at the same occupation. My research shows that the maximum amount that a female professional basketball player can make per year is $87,000.00. Mean while, Kevin Garnett, who is the highest paid male professional basketball player, is paid $23 million per year (insidehoops.com). Females and males who play the same sport professionally have an extreme difference in salary simply because basketball is a stereotypically a man’s sport. Furthermore, there is an extreme wage gap between white men and white women, and since 1988, statistics show that this “gap” has been continuous (womensmedia.com). I argue that this is because of the way that men view women. Lisa mentions that the older men in her business do not take her seriously, render her incapable, and ignore her input and idea’s. She said, “I always feel that in my building, the older men always doubt my capability.” Men associate women with being teachers, secretaries, or stay-at-home moms, but when put in a higher position, they are doubted by men and the stereotypical view. A psychiatrist named Susan Fiske conducted a study that shows that women “are seen as either liked but incompetent, or as successful but disliked.” These women are part of “an ‘outgroup’ in the business world” and are compared to men (Barnett). For example, while I was reading about the experiences of a woman named Judy Dothard Simmons, she stated that her boss’ way of promoting her was to explain, “we're paying you man’s money now…so we expect some loyalty” (Simmons). Women have always been seen as the “second sex,” but this problem hits hard on women in the working class. Lisa explains that men in her building always assume that she is a secretary and seemed “shocked” when they find out otherwise. Still, co-workers are only half of the problem. Presidents of companies and hiring managers discriminate against women. They pay them less money, and most businesses are male dominant. Bosses also discriminate against their female employees in other ways. Studies show that when women pursue a stereotypically “male” career, they are stuck at the bottom of the ladder, whereas men who enter “female” professions are more likely to get promoted (Barnett). The Third Wave’s main focus needs to be on improving these problems, so that women have an equal opportunity to succeed in their chosen field. However, accomplishing equality in the workplace accounts for more than just equal pay. Women need to be treated equally and feel comfortable around their co-workers. Unfortunately, women tend to feel intimidated, harassed, or oppressed by the actions of their co-workers. A study in 2006 “revealed that almost three out of four women staff feel bullied because of their gender” (Rennie). Also, 72% of women said yes when asked “if they had ever felt intimidated by a fellow employee or manager because of gender” (Rennie). Sexism still does exist very much in the work place. More attention needs to be brought to this problem.
In the future, women need to keep working on gaining equality in the workplace. It will be hard to change the stereotypical views of men towards women. As a nation, we must get past these stereotypes before the feminist movement can be complete. Woman can start that journey by standing up for what they believe in. Anyone can help. Lisa believes that she helps by simply having a high-powered job and stepping outside the stereotypical woman’s comfort zone. From studying feminism’s past, it is easy to conclude that feminists will never be pleased with what they achieve, but I argue that equality in the workplace will earn women the respect they need to be seen as equal in all aspects of life.
*image from womensmedia.com*
Works Cited
Barnett, Rosalind Chait. "Ageism and Sexism in the Workplace." Generations 29.3 (Fall 2005).
Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. 5 Mar. 2008
"Firsts in Women's Acheivement." History.com. The History Channel. 5 Mar. 2008
Inside Hoops. 7 Mar. 2008
Kryger, Stacie. "And I Found Feminism." The History And Contemporary Theory. Academic Search
Complete. EBSCO. 5 Mar. 2008
Lips, Hilary M. "The Gender Wage Gap: Debunking the Rationalizations." Women's Media. 6 Mar. 2008
Rennie, Jonathan. "Women Can Say Sexism At Work Is Getting Worse; 80-Percent Claim Careers Have
Suffered Due to This." Evening Times 11 Sept. 2006, Money Today ed. 7 Mar. 2008
SImmons, Judy Dothard. "Why Sexism Should Top the CIvil Rights Agenda." New Crisis 107.2 (Mar.
2000). Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. 5 Mar. 2008
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