Abstract The writer of this paper discusses the enormous progress made by women in the workforce over the years. This paper focuses on two main issues faced by women in the workforce which are: Finding the equilibrium between work and family life and learning to thrive in a male dominated business world. This paper delves into differing cultures such as Islam in order to better understand the role of women in the workforce around the world. This paper also discusses how women in America have scaled the upper rungs of the corporate hierarchy or who hold high positions in fields such as education and government and suggest that the 'glass ceiling', a frequently used term, is actually non-existent. This paper examines the achievements made by women in terms of representation which have been quite significant.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Balancing Work and Family
Winning at Work
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "The next stage for women in the settling down period is the devotion to family role mainly the maternal role. Many women in this stage spend a lot of energy than men in bringing up their children as they see their children grow and move from preschool to junior school. An approach towards work that does not stress career in relation to family persists for women till the middle adulthood stage till the forties, and then things start changing. After bringing up their children they have more time and energy for their careers. At this stage, most men undergo sore midlife problems, while women experience greater boldness and professional achievement at work. This being their delayed and final chance to make a mark in their profession, most women who are currently let free from the prevailing tasks of family roles relate themselves to work with improved interest and energy."
Abstract The paper relates that at the start of World War ll women were denied entry to positions in the workforce that were previously thought of as reserved only for men. Thus, the earning capacity of women was considerably lower than that of men and they were unable to accede to positions of economic or political power as well. The paper continues by highlighting that, as a result of the male task force being involved in fighting a war, vacancies in the work situation became available to Canadianwomen and thus it became apparent that women proved to be as efficient as men in a previous male-dominated areas. Encouraged by capitalism and the ruling powers and the press, Canadianwomen were now holding major positions which the government attempted unsuccessfully to reverse after the war. The paper concludes that WWI helped women realize their capabilities and achieve equality with their male counterparts.
From the Paper "In this analysis, it is important to bear in mind that women in Canada have always worked, in one way or another. Feminist scholars such as Bradbury have eloquently dismissed the myth that dual-income families are a new phenomenon, a product of the women's movement in the last few decades. In her analysis of working class families in the period from the 1860s to the 1890s - the time of the industrial revolution in Canada - Bradbury shows that even in that time, married Canadian women were actively involved in a broad range of income-generating activities, such as taking in boarders. At the same time, they were also expected to handle all domestic labour. Bradbury reproduces a cartoon showing a woman on her knees, doing the washing, while her husband eats dinner. The caption reads: "You complain, my poor husband, or your ten hours of labour. Yet I have been working for fourteen hours, and I have not yet finished my day." Bradbury also makes the point that women's labour was essential, and that if most families had relied on the husband's earnings alone, "poverty, even starvation, would have been chronic." Moreover, men would not have had the strength to labour at the factories for ten hours, and women would not have been well enough nourished to produce viable babies. In short, the "working class could not have reproduced itself."
Abstract This paper shows how and why 1975 was a landmark year for women all over the world, especially in the United States. Reasons for the significance of this year are examined by looking at women in several spheres. It begins with the labor market and explains how affirmative action policies, laws against discrimination against women and the growing number of women going to college contributed to a rise in the number of women in the workforce. It then looks at which laws were passed to assist in women's rights and breakthroughs in attitudes towards sexuality (birth control etc). The paper concludes with an examination of how women were depicted in the media.
From the Paper "The number of working mothers has jumped dramatically today. Figures from the 2000 U.S. Census show that 75 percent of women with young children are part of the workforce, compared to just 45 percent in 1975. More revealing statistics indicate that mothers with children younger than three worked in larger numbers today ? 63 percent in 2000 compared to just 33 percent in 1975 (Cheng). Several factors have contributed to this increase. First, more women are now going to college. Estimates show that 30 percent of women aged 25-34 have college degrees, compared to only 18 percent in 1975. It should be noted, however, that these changes are uneven for women of color. Only 17 percent of African American women, for example, have college degrees today. However, this still represents an improvement from 1975, when only 10 percent of African American women earned a four-year college degree (Cheng)."
Abstract This paper examines how African-American women often face special problems when it comes to finding jobs that offer decent salaries, benefits and opportunities for growth and advancement. It looks at how traditional prejudices against women in the workforce combine with prejudice against African-Americans and minorities, in general. It also discusses how many of these women are less educated and less well-trained than White American women and how cultural factors, too, may enter into the equation, adding up to misunderstandings between employers and their female African-American employees.
From the Paper "The recognition that Black Women are living and working in two different cultures is of great significance both to their own efforts at success, and also to the attitudes of the majority White society toward them and their careers. White managers and employees must not treat cultural differences as disabilities, or even worse, as abhorrent factors that render success and advancement impossible for African-American women. For instance, a willingness to work very hard must not be taken as some sort of confirmation of the idea the idea that Black Women are "born" to do all of the hard work; that they are not "cut out" for the more refined intellectual and managerial responsibilities. "
Abstract This paper examines how The New Deal, the Great Depression and World War II had an immense impact on American history and the socio-economic status of African Americans and women in particular. It shows how the New Deal allowed America to pick itself up by the bootstraps and recover from the Great Depression and how African-Americans benefited from the acts as jobs were created for all levels of society. It also describes how World War II improved the postion of the role of women in the workforce and how African-Americans became involved in professions that were before only white professions due to the shortage of labor. It also looks at the Great Society and the War on Poverty and how Johnson sought civil rights for African-Americans while at the same time seeking job rights and better wages for the poor in general.
From the Paper "World War II, though, had the hugest impact on both African Americans and women. Suddenly, the economy was back on its feet, with millions of dollars being devoted to plans such as Lend-Lease to help the British out. And then after Pearl Harbor, American spending truly reached a peak. The New Deal set the stage for the economy's recovery after the Great Depression, but World War II actually revived the economy. Suddenly, the role of women in the workforce was paramount. With men away at war, women had to do all the work ? including building warships, for instance ? that men previously did. "
Abstract This paper explains the primary elements of human capital theory and discusses what it means for women in the workforce. The paper also discusses the growing awareness among companies that investments in human resources increase their value to the organization.
Abstract The paper is an observation analysis as to why we find women in the workforce today. The paper explains the reasons for this phenomena and continues by highlighting how effectiveness and usefulness alters with the progression of age. The paper utilizes a specific example and follows the work cycle as this person increases in age.
From the Paper "Dolly has worked at the same restaurant for 18 years. Her shift use to be 6-11pm, but she no longer feels comfortable driving home so late so Dolly asked for her shift to be 4-9pm. Dolly also no longer is able to work 5 nights a week like she did for 12 years. Her back became arthritic and the pain of working 5 shifts is too much for her to handle--she asked to be cut down to 4, then 3 and just yesterday she asked for only 2 shifts a week. The other girls she was hired with are still physically able to work their 5 shifts, but have cut back along with Dolly for other reasons such as babysitting grandchildren, no longer need the money, no longer need the social aspect, managers are too young and inexperienced and etc. Physically they are all fine, but a car accident Dolly had in her mid-twenties has caused arthritis in her joints and swelling to some discs in her back between her shoulder blades. Dolly still needs the money--her husband died 8 years ago of a fatal heart attack and financially they were not prepared."
Abstract This paper focuses on women who worked during WWII in Great Britain. It covers the different aspects of women in the work force and the history of their involvement with the war.
From the Paper "Throughout history, women have been involved in the complications of War, and have survived the many hardships and adversities associated with a country at war. During WWII, women in Great Britain were compelled to serve their country by engaging in "War Work" activities, and replacing men who were at war in factories and other skilled labor jobs. World War II presented the opportunity for women in Great Britain to mobilize in society by earning higher "male" wages in factories, and acquiring the necessary skills to play an important role in the battle their country faced. Many women faced the dilemma of choosing between their domestic duties, and their desire to actively participate in the war effort."
Abstract This paper explains that, on the American continent, the NAFTA agreement between Canada, Mexico and the U.S.A. has been responsible largely for the liberalization of economies, privatization and deregulation, which have all impacted the workforce, particularly women. The author points out that globalization has brought about an unequal structure of the global economy in which corporations are creating labor segregation, paying the most minimum wages possible and providing the least amount of labor regulations, all of which cause social and economic marginalization of women. The paper relates that various trade agreements push countries to privatize public resources causing a shift away from welfare and social programs such as social insurance, health care, child-care and childcare subsidy. The author stresses that the new jobs created for the sole profit of the employers are usually lower-paid, part-time or contract flexible work having no benefits.
From the Paper "One example of such harassment and discrimination is cited by Quintero-Ramirez, (2002). She describes how managers are often able to request a medical examination to show that a job applicant is not pregnant. Because of deregulation, the working conditions in these factories are often unsanitary and even dangerous, and inadequate or non-existing healthcare often exasperated the health impacts suffered by these women workers. These women work for minimum wages while foreign countries reap most of the benefits. The maquiladora sector is of particular importance because it has grown 89% in the period between 1995 and 2000 . The managers of these manufacturing plants often prefer to hire women because of the patriarchal beliefs that women are more docile and better suited for boring repetitive jobs. "
Abstract The paper observes the diverse Canadianworkforce as it applies to the immigrant contingent. The paper illustrates how immigrants face many struggles and inequalities when entering the workforce. The paper discusses some of these inequalities, which include earnings upon entry, cheapening of their human capital, expectations and difficulties with assimilation, and troubles with furthering their education. These problems are discussed, as well as some policy changes which Canada might implement in order to make the workplace more fair and friendly for its immigrant workers.
From the Paper "During the past century, the civilized nations of the world, most importantly those found in North America in Canada and the United States, have done much in the way of diversifying their workplaces and workforces. Minorities have been given greater opportunities for not only workforce placement and advancement, but also for better education and training, as well as overall better treatment. Yet, while native-born Canadian minorities might now be receiving better and even just treatment and opportunities, those that immigrate to Canada still are doomed to face discrimination, lesser economic and employment prospects and an overall lesser quality of life."
Abstract This paper discusses the challenges facing immigrants in the Canadian work force. More specifically, the paper examines three primary problems that immigrants face. The first is the difficulty of even getting in the country. The second is the problem of language. The third is the non-recognition of skills.
Abstract This paper discusses the role of women during the Mexican Revolution, and how this conflict affected and changed their lives. The paper highlights how women took on the roles of soldiers and even leaders during the Revolution, and how this worked to overcome the subservience imposed upon their gender for centuries. In particular, the author cites the soldaderas, large groups of women who traveled with the respective revolutionary armies and provided care in terms of providing meals, nursing, and laundry services. The paper also examines the role of female intellectuals during the revolution. The author concludes that in each of the various roles, a particular progression emerges in terms of the reinvention of women and their paradigms in Mexican society.
From the Paper "Equally important, but much more prominent perhaps because of their radical departure from the shadow of recognized feminine status quo of the time, was the role of the female intellectual in the Mexican Revolution. These women generally did not fight a physical battle, like the soldaderas or the female soldier, but rather an intellectual battle. They used their intelligence to further the cause of the Revolution, and are recognized as one of the most important sectors of the female population of the time...."
Abstract This paper takes a look at Mexicanwomen and how gender equality evolved. According to the paper, the traditional depiction of Mexicanwomen was very restrictive. The paper goes on to say that women were consumed by their family life, their marriages and the Catholic Church. The paper reports that legal, social and cultural constraints were placed upon women to prevent them from gaining full acceptance and rights in society. The paper also takes a look at the role of the Soldaderas during the time of the Mexican Revolution.
From the Paper "The ability to view the Mexican Revolution not only as an idealized cause against the abuses of the Diaz regime, but also as a method to escape the problems at home, created a new era of possibility for women. Women joined the army as young teenagers in order to escape from forced marriages and physical abuse, thus they joined without the permission of their families. The inevitable break from tradition of the Mexican Revolution shattered many of the stigmas and "traditional cultural" attachments of gender roles because women defied their families. At the same time, the promotion of equality within the army allowed the Soldadera a familiarization with the concept of equality. One captain of the Revolutionaries explained, "In the war, it's all equal. Now we cook the food and wash the clothes together, we fight the war together" (Ross, 289). The direct result of these actions was that social stigmas associated with women pursuing nontraditional roles was no longer promoted and systematically preserved. Instead they were allowed to explore a new frontier that involved the provision of different social roles. This was extremely important in the establishment of a strong feminist presence that was not afraid to confront the patriarchal system."
Abstract The paper briefly reviews half-a-dozen sources that expertly discuss the situation of women in Canada's present economic environment. Among other things, the paper reviews the history of EI, the discrimination women have historically faced, the prospects for future betterment and where government policies are regrettably falling short of their promise.
From the Paper "The following annotated bibliography provides an introduction into the present literature on women and their status in the Canadian workforce. As should become clear, the status of women within the Canadian workforce has improved for the better in recent decades, but much work still remains to be done."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth examination of the role that La Malinche played in Mexican history and culture. The author gives the reader an historical overview, including the fact that she was an actual person, whose actions caused her to lose favor in society. This is done through the review and analysis of two pieces of works by historians, one male and one female, Casillo and Paz. The author also points out that La Malinche is not a well-known personality outside of Mexican culture, but her history dates back to the mid-sixteenth century. According to the paper, La Malinche's role in history has been revived by feminists who feel that her tainted past is the result of the chauvinistic nature of Mexican society which has begun to evolve over the years. For many Mexicanwomen she is a symbol of independence and endurance of the Mexican people, and she should be accorded respect and proper recognition in history.
From the Paper "These many complications and elaborations of this essential and essentializing dichotomy about the true nature of woman can be seen to come together in the character of La Malinche, a figure not well known outside of Mexico (except to those whose families originally came from Mexico). This paper explores the figure of La Malinche, a figure who representations have over the years become at least in general more positive as Mexicans have regained a sense of themselves as a people worthy of self-respect ? and as Mexican women have refused to see themselves as meriting only the role of a traitor condemned to silence."
