This blog post is in response to a reading by Joan Martin and Patricia Yancey, for my Gender & Sexuality course at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia with lecturer Margaret Mayhew.
Source: Joan Martin, Patricia Yancey 2003,"Said and Done" Versus "Saying and Doing": Gendering Practices, Practicing Gender at Work’ Gender & Society, 17: 342-366
This week's chapter readings took a look at gender in the workplace. The authors compared the wages of women and men in the labor work force. They also discussed some of the explanations for those differences and the kinds of changes that have been recommended for addressing inequalities.
I can't say that after reading this chapter I was surprised to discover that men get a higher wage than women. This is a common fact known throughout the United States that white men, usually get paid a higher wage than any other gender or racial/ethnic group. Though it's not fair, minorities are taking steps to, slowly but surely, fight the inequality in the workplace.
However, it was disturbing for me to read that not only are there differences in pay grades for men to women, but there is also a substantial difference in pay within the racial/ethnic groups. According to this reading, "Women and minorities seem to only go so far in their jobs because some invisible force is holding them back." The authors refer to this invisible force as the glass ceiling.
As a black female who is currently in college so I can get a diploma to get into the workforce, I already feel like I am at a disadvantage to fully succeed within my desire career. I have an interest in doing scientific research in a lab working for a government agency or non-profit organization. Though the statistics are against my favor of becoming one of the leaders of my field, I am deciding to use this information as motivation to make it to the top. I will continue my education to graduate school to get my Ph.D. and become just as qualified as any man or woman in my discipline.
It may seem easier to just give up, given the likelihood of me beating the odds and receiving the same wages as my potential male counterparts in the workforce, but I have faith in the progression of women's and minorities work rights.
Plus, I'm already in my 3rd year of college. Way too deep in, to not keep pushing forward.
Below is a link to a video that I found on youtube from the Australian Government: Gender Equality Agency. The video discusses how it is important that women get the same work rights as men, though I couldn't help but notice that their were only white women who were shown in the video. Does this give you the impression that the Australian government will stand for equal work rights for just white men and women, or do they intend to include women of other races? Am I just being too critical? Take a look and you be the judge.
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