Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling

Paper Summary:

Forty years ago women in "high places" virtually didn't exist. Women physicians and lawyers, for example, were so rare that finding one caused comment and sometimes consternation. That is no longer true, of course, and leaders agree that the glass ceiling is not as strong as it once was. This paper shows that women have entered all areas of business and make up 50% of management positions, yet few women are in positions of leadership. Naturally, everybody wonders why women, in spite of their struggles, don't seem to be reaching the top. Many people argue that discrimination is the cause of women's failure to break through the glass ceiling, but this paper argues that discrimination, although still present, is not the main source of the problem.

Paper Outline:
Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling: What's Stopping Women?
What is the Glass Ceiling?
Communication Styles and the Glass Ceiling
Coping with the Glass Ceiling
Conclusion
References

From the Paper:

"A good mentor helps to establish contacts, develops networking, uncovers job opportunities, gives appropriate guidance, and acts as cheerleader, coach, and critic, but allows autonomy and independence at the same time. In fact, it may be an advantage for a woman to have a male mentor. A man can give insight into how a man thinks and makes decisions. Not that women should think like men, but they do need to understand how men think in order to communicate with them better. A well-connected mentor is important for any rising executive. A mentor can explain the political structure and offer guidance for effective maneuvering."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Beem, K. (2004). Breaking the glass ceiling--from above. Crain's Chicago Business, 27 (50), Dec., 3.
• Dee, G. (2004). Glass ceiling breaking in the public sector. Crain's Chicago Business, 27 (13) 29 Mar., pSR12-SR13.
• Hamm-Greenawalt, L. (2000). Babes in boyland, Internet World, 6 (6) 15 Mar., 70-82.
• Jenkins, M. (2004). Getting the corner office. Black Enterprise, 35 (1) Aug., 78-80, 82, 85-86.
• Jones, S. (2001). Silicon ceiling. Crain's Chicago Business, 24 (46) Nov., 15-16.

More papers on Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling:

• Essay # 72400 : "Shattering the Glass Ceiling"
• Term Paper # 120092 : "Women and the Glass Ceiling in the Finance Industry"
• Argumentative Essay # 95903 : "Sex Discrimination at Work"

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