Women and the Glass Ceiling

Paper Summary:

The paper defines the term 'glass ceiling' as a metaphor used to express the various problems and hindrances to advancement that many women in the business and corporate world face. The paper reveals that the glass ceiling phenomenon does not in essence have an economic rationale; the prevention of female advancement is related to ideological and social facets, which stem from the structure of class and gender in society as a whole. The paper explores the phenomenon of the glass ceiling in terms of its sociological causes and ramifications.

Outline:
Introduction
The Social Reality of the Glass Ceiling
Gender, Class and Ideology
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The disparities in terms of opportunities, advancement and position between men and women in the workplace are a well known and much debated issue in sociological discourse. This is due to the fact that hindrances to female advancement or the "glass ceiling" is related to central sociological concepts and to the analysis of the way that societies are constructed by ideological as well as class and gender issues. As one researcher states; "It is well documented that women are less likely than men to exercise authority in their jobs ... Yet the causes of this gender difference in authority have received little attention...." (Hopcroft R. 1996)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Coyne, B. S., Coyne, E. J., & Lee, M. (2004). Human Resources, Care Giving, Career Progression, and Gender: A Gender Neutral Glass Ceiling. New York: Routledge. Retrieved February 19, 2007, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=104546663
• Duncan K. ( 1996) Gender differences in the effect of education on the slope of experience-earnings profiles: National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979-1988. The American Journal of Economics and Sociology :October 1, 1996. Retrieved 18 February, 2007, from www.highbream.com.
• Gazso, A. (2004). Women's Inequality in the Workplace as Framed in News Discourse: Refracting from Gender Ideology. The Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology, 41(4), 449+. Retrieved February 19, 2007, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5008547670
• Goyder, J., Guppy, N., & Thompson, M. (2003). The Allocation of Male and Female Occupational Prestige in an Ontario Urban Area: A Quarter-Century Replication. The Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology, 40(4), 417+. Retrieved February 19, 2007, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002093162
• Hopcroft R. ( 1996) The authority attainment of women: competitive sector effects. The American Journal of Economics and Sociology. April 1, 1996. Retrieved 18 February, 2007, from www.highbream.com

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