Recently, I came across the following article on BBC news. While I do believe that conditions in the workplace have improved immensely, we must not be too quick to assume that women and men in all areas of work/industry will enjoy the same opportunities:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2523427.stm
The field of science is one that has historically been dominated by men. While many brilliant and motivated women have contributed to the field, successful and award-winning scientists most often tend to be men.
Personally, I feel that there are two reasons for this; discrimination, and expectations.
While discrimination among top tier scientists may not be so obvious on the surface, its clear that many female scientists feel that they have been overlooked because of their sex. Male scientists may not actively harass their female colleagues, but there is still a distinct feeling among many women in the field that they are not considered as trustworthy as comparably-abled men.
The other problem, expectations, results from society's notion of the proper role of women. Many people still feel today that a woman's main purpose is to stay at home and care for the family. Even if a woman does work part-time, its often for the purpose of gaining and extra- income, and not to contribute to the annals of scientific discovery.
Although many female scientists probably feel that they are in fact able to balance family and ever demanding lab-work, male scientists might be reluctant to work with female scientists that have a family and other responsibilities. For this reason, women may not be given as many opportunities as men, even though they are just as capable of handling the work.
...What do you think??
Do you agree that there is still discrimination in the workplace?
If so, is it for the reasons that i've provided, or for different reasons altogether?? is it possible that in some fields or situations, women actually have an advantage over men?
6 comments:
I agree with your comments. Discrimination problems towards women are exposed in all fields. Not only it is expected for men or women to perform equally but once having a family subject comes to reality in someone’s life, changes the perspective of a lot of views towards working women. In some cases it is a fear that women have once they get pregnant to share the news with coworkers. Most women wait a while until they are far ahead in their pregnancies. Insecurities are caused by feelings of being replace with someone who has no family commitments. Not only this is the case in women but in men too. Some men are extremely committed to spend time with their families and they are also discriminated. As Woods describes in her book per every dollar that a men makes a women gets 75 cents, having this differences still in this times make women catching up harder in every field. My sister is doing a PHD in Biology and I hope she doesn’t have to experience this pay discrimination. Happy to report that in her field there are a lot of young women but the percentage of them who will finish, get married and have kids is yet to be seen. However most of the Program directors are men so it gives this generation an unbalance start. I have this other couple who are both scientist and have children ages 2 and 4. It is a strugle for them to balance family, work etc. Right now they feel eventually one of them have to quit to stay with the children. I’m hoping it will be him because it will make the standards a little different. Unless he is making more money than her and then the answer is set. Men will always gain control of their lives due to better pay, society family standards. However, I’m hopeful because of classes like this that educate so many.
Dorit,
I agree with you that society still is gender biased against women. You would think that in 2008 we would have that situation resolved but people, institutions and society do not change quickly. I beleive that regardless of the feild women as well as all races, nationalities, religions and genders should be treated equally. Why wouldn't we? We just seem to be a prejudiced society with an inherent flaw that we choose to keep intact. I hope that trough education and experience that we as people will eventually get past our multi-biases for the sake of us all. How wonderful the world could be.
I agree that ther is still discrimation towards women in the workplace.
I work in a pharmaceutical company, not a scietist but in Human Resources. So I assist in the hiring of BS/MS/Ph.D. level scientists. I can honestly say that for the large companies having to answer to the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commisstion)and wanting to do the right thing, hiring decision are based on the best qualified, not gender. Also when it comes to equal pay for equal work, I can also say in the larger companies, I believe regardless of gender, people are payed equally.
What I will say is that there is a lack of women and minorities in leadership roles. As I look around in my company, there seem to be a very large number of senior leaders that are white men.
In smaller companies and in many companies I know that what I have stated about the company I work for is not true, unfortunately. It will take time to change the inequalities between men and women. One can only hope that changes toward equality of gender and of races will evolve.
Woman are working more than ever. Woman have gone to work and put that first and being the homemaker who takes care of the house and kids a distant second. Woman are becoming more like men every day. They are not focused on when am I having a child. They are more focused on when am I getting that promotion. That job should be mine. Each field has its discrimination. Education is all woman from top to bottom. I work in a field with both my jobs that is nothing but woman. My Supervisor have all been woman. But you go to a corporate business and see more men in higher roles and even though their are woman who hold strong positions, its not an equal level. I wouldn't say its discrimination, back then yes. Now it is to the point where it truly is every man or woman for themselves with a few exception. There are still jobs that will higher a man over a woman and a woman over a man. In the end expectations of woman are changing quickly than people think and Education is a dominant field for woman.
I work in a high school and can still sadly say that honors bio classes are mostly filled with boys and just a couple of girls here and there. I think the bias may start at home with the parents needing to encourage their daughters into the math and science fields.
There was a recent case at the New Jersey shore where a female police officer was asked to leave her position due to her pregnancy. The case was settled as she remains on the force but on desk duty. I think a lot of the discrimination that occurs comes back to biology. Time is money in business...pregnancy means time off for the employee, and hiring a replacement. So, now company is paying two employees for one position. Also, even hiring women, there is the tendency to think that they will be pregnant some day or already have families which can interfere with travel responsibilities, etc. with their position. So, yes, discrimination still exists...employers can't legally ask your marital status when hiring, but, for many companies it is still a consideration.
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