Gender Equality in the Workplace Example

Gender Equality in the Workplace Example Gender Equality in the Workplace â€" Research Paper Example > ?Gender Equality In The Workplace Gender equality, just as racial equality, is a subject of immense discussion in the modern society. It is notable that the human civilization has survived on imbalanced power structures such as gender inequality. In this case, the society confers more advantages to a certain group of people than it confers to another group of people. Gender inequality has historically favored men against women. This explains why a significant part of the gender debate is dominated by female empowerment rather than empowerment of every gender. It is arguable that the corporate sector still practices some form of prejudice against women in the workforce in spite of advancement in female empowerment. Indeed, there is a glass ceiling for women in the workplace. It is essential to highlight that most corporations have only allowed female empowerment out of pressure. This is visible in Newsweek’s magazine case whereby young female employees rose against the company’s treatment of women (Bennett and Ellison 1). When companies submit to such pressures, they are least likely to internalize the sense of having an equal workplace. The rise of corporate branding has led companies to participate in noble activities for profits and image purposes. This mode of corporate thought system overrides the real sense of having gender equality in the workplace (Connolly 78). Corporations have realized that having an image of gender balance in their workforce reinforces the corporate responsibility tag. In turn, such corporations do not examine the details involved in the meritocracy of work. Women have unsolved problems in their homes that constrain their career advancement goals (Nemko 1). It is essential to note that nurturing and care giving has been primarily bestowed upon women. This does not accord them enough capacity to advance in their careers. For instance, because women hold the burden of pregnancy and give birth to children, they naturally receive the responsibility of care giving. An empowered woman, at the motherly level, does not possess the empowerment to debate nurturing balance roles with their husbands. This is because women are incapacitated against a societal attitude that exclusively bestow nurturing roles upon women. Firms, unfortunately, have not placed such considerations when giving promotions and awarding management positions to employees. On the other hand, in spite of social advancement, men are still free from care giving duties that consume a significant time of women. “Men, therefore, gain an upper hand in acquiring pay raises and prom otions because they are constantly in the workforce, ” (Gregory 96). The modern workplace has not placed adequate mechanism to place this consideration when evaluating women. Besides, watchdog groups are least likely to pay attention to such details when assessing gender imbalance in work places. In addition, men have flipped the workplace gender’s debate to reflect their needs. Denial of gender imbalance in pay and work conditions is akin to denial of racism in the contemporary society. In this sense, most men feel that they have given enough for women not to complain. In turn, most men do not look at the glass ceiling as a real phenomenon. Besides, men do not recognize that equality in pay and promotions is an entitlement rather than a privilege to women. The idea of liberal markets, democracy, and meritocracy propose that a person, regardless of one’s sex or gender, should earn commensurately to one’s skills and efforts. Men, however, do not recognize this entitlement in women. The workplace should realize that women’s attitudes emanate from the society where they have grown. Quast mentions given myths that individuals hold on gender equality. “According to studies throughout Europe, women in most European countries still prefer to “marry up” to a man who is better educated and earns more money, ” (Quast 1). These attitudes explain why even highly educated women are highly likely to choose low-end jobs in companies. Such women believe that they are incapable of providing for themselves. It is unfair to blame women for possessing such lackluster attitudes despite the fact that they grow up in real societies that instill the notions in them. Most scientific research shows that individuals are products of their nurturing. “When people highlight women’s attitudes as products of their biological predispositions, the society abandons the role of helping the woman rise the corporate ladder, ” (Giele and Stebbins 124). In essence, the existence of the glass ceiling in the workplace is real. This is demonstrable in the wage gap between women and men of equal skills. In spite of notable advancement in women empowerment, corporations still need to pay attention to details as regards gender imbalances. It is crucial to emphasize that the modern workplace has not integrated the biological and social differences between men and women in awarding promotions and pay raises. This is because most women are constrained from the domestic front. In spite of their educational advancement, the society still needs to pay attention to cultural attitudes instilled in women, which bar them from effectively competing with men. Works cited Bennett, Jessica, and Jesse Ellison. ‘Young women, Newsweek, and sexism. ’ Newsweek. 21 March, 2014. Web. October 22, 2014. Connolly, Sean. Gender equality. North Mankato, MN: Smart Apple Media, 2006. Print. Giele, Janet, and Leslie Stebbins. Women and equality in the workplace: a reference handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2003. Print. Gregory, Raymond F. women and workplace discrimination: overcoming barriers to gender equality. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers Univ. Press, 2003. Print. Nemko, Marty. ‘The real reason so few women are in the boardroom. ’ MartyNemko. 2014. Web. October 22, 2014. Quast, Lisa. ‘Debunking myths of gender equality: are personal choices and preferences what's really holding women back from achieving parity at work? ’ Forbes. 14 March, 2014. Web. October 22, 2014.