When people think of presidents, government officials, or CEOs, they would usually envision men. This picture has been engraved in our mind ever since we were very young. The traditional idea of “women belong in the kitchen” is slowly dying out but it is still inevitably present. Whether it is the wage gap in workplace, governmental roles in a nation, or traditional roles in households, gender roles and stereotype are never-ending problems within our society.
In regards to wage gaps, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, average female workers made only 81% of the median earnings of male workers in 2012. Also, female CEOs and directors earned 42% less than male CEOs and directors. Although these numbers are decreasing and have decreased over few decades, they are still noticeably different. Statistically, in almost every job, weekly wages for women are lower than for men. Where does this difference stem from? Is the reason for this difference because of stereotypes? The answer is yes because the idea of “ woman belongs in the kitchen” seems to be still prevailing within the society. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously battle for equality within the workplaces.
Furthermore, there is inequality in the governmental roles in many nations. In 2013, only 18.5% of congress members were female. Also, only 24.1% of female state legislators were women and in 100 largest cities of United States, only 12 of them had female mayors. Therefore, one can clearly see that governmental roles within the U.S. are predominantly male. This difference seems to be a possible reason to why there is gender inequality in society. If more women held offices in government, there could be more voices for females. With more representation, more women would feel encouraged to reach higher positions within workforces as well.
Last but not least, there is a significant problem of gender roles within cultures that affects the participation of women within the society. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistic, 82% of women spent time doing household chores on an average day. Traditionally, women would stay home and take care of children and do chores. This cultural idea has influenced many women to take more time at home than outside. Although this idea has changed over the course of time, it is still an underlying problem within the society. Cultural and traditional limitation is another problem that is taking part in gender and economic development. In an article from Harvard Political Review, the writer states that gender roles and stereotype prevents women from participating in bigger studies. This traditional idea of what women could do and not do is one of the biggest reasons for gender lens problems.
Conclusively, problems of gender roles in society are seen through wage gaps, governmental roles, and traditional roles within the household. It is nevertheless important to address all these problems to solve the difference and inequality between male and females in our society.
http://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/gender-society/u-s-bureau-labor-statistics-womens-earnings-2012#
http://www.nwpc.org/statistics
http://harvardpolitics.com/harvard/want-equality-must-stop-perpetuating-gender-roles/
Hey Yeji. I like the points you bring up in the post. I think the wage gap interesting because many people try to dismiss it as a myth. The argument is usually that when you account for education and other factors, the wage gap “all but disappears”. However, it doesn’t disappear. At best it diminishes greatly to 5-6%. While this does make the issue seem a bit less urgent, it doesn’t stop it from being an issue. If only 5% of children were being kidnapped while walking home from school, we wouldn’t say, “well it’s only 5%, so it’s almost like it’s no children at all.” We would still be alarmed. In the same way, whether the wage gap is 19% or 5%, it should still be taken seriously, as there is no reason why people shouldn’t be payed the same amount for the same amount of work. However, I don’t think the solution will be as simple as telling companies to pay their employees equally, as an Equal Pay Act has already existed since 1963 and yet still some people have fallen through the cracks. Women will need to believe in themselves and their abilities more and fight to be payed equally if they discover that they are not.
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It seems as though every issue being discussed comes back to your final point on gender roles. Through our discussions in class and in the posts I have been reading, it seems that the idea of what women “should” do or have always done is the most deeply rooted issue. The remarks “go back to the kitchen” or “make me a sandwich” that I have so frequently heard said to girls throughout my adolescence, although laughed about in our generation by many, represent a stigma that keeps many women, as you described, from advancing to where they should be. This is why, I think, the idea of “lean in” will not solve the gender disparity. Women can “lean in” and try to fight for their equality alone, but as long as some boss, coworker, or even classmate, still thinks “go back to the kitchen” our hands are tied. While not surprising, I found your statistic that 82% of women do household chores daily interesting, but more than anything I was curious to what the percentages looked like for men? Or was this even a statistic taken? I think you touched on some of the most prevalent gender issues, and look forward to reading your solution.