I. Introduction .................................. 1
II. Background ................................... 2
A. Theoretical Positions ..................... 3
B. Research findings, data ................... 4
IV. Summary and Conclusion ........................ 6
V. References ..................................... 10
Popular wisdom has it that the role of women in the workplace has drastically changed over the past few decades. That the role has changed is a given, but what is not so apparent is the manner in which it has evolved particularly over the past ten years. This paper will examine the question, "Is there discrimination in the workplace?" Looking at the role of gender within the occupational force, the paper will analyze type of occupation, availability of jobs, hiring, firing, and promotion. All these characteristics will be evaluated in relation to certain roles within the job market.
It is not new to realize that there is something inappropriate about a woman's position within the working world. Women tend to be segregated into certain positions, positions which society has defined as strictly female. Similarly, there are occupations that are primarily staffed by women, and in which it is difficult if not impossible for a man to get a job. What is even more common however, is that gender specific jobs are often given different titles and have different job descriptions in order to prevent opposite genders from even applying. Even looking at the problem from a two sided gender approach, and acknowledging that men would have a great deal to gain from the eradication of sexism, it is still primarily women who suffer the most from a lack of opportunity within the working world (Blaxall & Reagan, 1976). The very premise of a lack of equality in occupations must therefore, be analyzed in the broadest scope of the problem, using factors such as economics, culture, society, and psychology to...