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Example research essay topic: Gender Inequality Female Roles - 1,283 words

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The question on how gender inequality shapes peoples' life chances is one that has been echoing widely through minds of modern society in the recent decades. Historically sociologists have suggested, amongst various other reasons, that biological differences between men and women constitute as one of the main reasons for males having better job opportunities. Thus males were always branded the breadwinners of the family whilst a female's place was at home (Joanne Naiman 1997: 250 - 51). However, during the latter half of the 20 th century these views began to slowly change but still stained with the ideologies from the past they still exist at the brink of the 21 st century. Nevertheless, this is in a more subtle form and it is culturally reasoned to be normal and acceptable. This paper will discuss from a sociologists point of view how gender has come to determine ones future due to ideas instilled into society some time ago intervened with that of the present.

Examining this from the root one can see that historically males have shaped the society in which we live. The policy-makers have almost always been male and therefore it is not surprising that our society mirrors those ideas, which exist as a result of this male-domination. For example in Joanne Naiman's book, there is an excerpt from Gustave Le Bonne, a Parisian in 1879, in which he openly compared most of the female brains with that of gorillas and stated " the inferiority (of women) is so obvious that no one can contest it for the moment; only its degree is worth discussing. " (quoted in Joanne Naiman 1997: 250) Another instance closer to recent times is from Carol Travis' book titled "The Mismeasurement Of Woman." She states that in the beginning the left hemisphere of the brain was considered to deal with intellect and reason, while the right side dealt with passion, sex, irrationality and similar concepts -- thus males were considered to have a superior left brain. However in the 1960 's and 70 's scientists found that right brain was intellectually superior and was the source of genius, inspiration, creativity, imagination, mysticism and mathematical brilliance hence conveniently males now had a more developed right brain (Carol Tavris 1992: 48). Both these citations clearly show historically how society regarded for the females as a species and how they were not considered smart enough to do jobs that entailed thinking or decision making.

Furthermore, they were always under the supervision of their male counter parts. Ergo, even in more recent times, when the line between job opportunities amongst the genders is ever fading, a secretary or nurse or most of any other job which required supervision is still engraved into society as a females role. An example of this is from the "case story" (Mustapha Koc 1999) where Mary was given the responsibility of being the secretary, accountant and packaging department of the family business while her husband was the boss. This showed that even though they were husband and wife and could have shared all responsibilities equally, Mary was content to play the role society had outlined for her. Mary also became a housewife and quit her job at the bank without much debate when her children were born. This is because of the norms society had laid down.

A female is expected to take care of the household and look after the children. This is clearly seen in every day life. Even at an early stage in life girls tend play with dolls -- nursing and looking after them as if they were their children. In schools girls are given extra curricular activities like home-sciences and cheerleading, where they learn about cooking and household activities. And even most household products advertised are geared towards a female audience. Thus delicately dictating the gender roles in life.

Society has made it such that even if a woman wanted to against the norms and get a job in the work force she would not get very far. About 75 percent of the jobs in the well paying professions are held by men and even if women are able to get equal jobs as men they still get paid considerably less (David Bender and Bruno Leone 1989: 75). So it has just become more practical for the man in the household to work and allow the woman to do the household chores. A recent instant of differences in salaries between the genders is when the Communication Energy and Paperwork of Canada (CEP) and Canadian Telephone Employer Association were sued by their respective unions because of the pay difference determined by the employees sex. The Unionist wanted their companies to ratify this and have a pay equity (Toronto Star: 29 October 1999). Another example of how women are manipulated into getting only jobs of a certain caliber is when companies do not give maternal leave or subsidized child care for working mothers. 60 percent of working mothers in the United Sates have no rights for maternal leave (David Bender and Bruno Leone 1989: 74).

And if a mother were to leave the workforce to bear her child and come back after, she faced the risk of falling behind and being deprived of perks such as bonuses and promotions. This makes it hard for a woman to get back up in the job ladder. This again was described in the "case story" when Mary wanted to return to work after her youngest child was five. Some jobs are made in such a way that only certain genders are easily able to fill the positions.

To be a fireman for instance, you have to be of a certain height and weight -- which generally narrows the choices down to most males. This although is beneficial to the fire department is not a necessity. With a couple of adjustments the fire department can easily accommodate a shorter and lighter person, which would then include both genders. Many movements are trying to get rid of gender inequality and the nineties have progressed drastically compared to the beginning of the century. Today there is an increasing number of women in the army and similar jobs that used to primarily consist of men. But society has shown us the downfall of such happenings -- by the increase in rapes, sexual assault and sexual harassment in the work force.

This once more makes women think twice before wanting to join these gender-secluded jobs. Religiously and culturally also female roles have been defined to be different to that of men, and mankind has been taught that men are superior to women (Babara Kantowitz 1986) This is shown in various religious scriptures. Hence teaching gender differences to the masses at a very early stage It has also lead people to believe that males are better than females and so deserve much better job opportunities. There clearly is a gender inequality and right throughout life it has been able to dictate our life chances. The degree to which it enables us to determine this has however has broadened over the years and given females a wider range of job opportunities and future prospects. Nevertheless such boundaries will always exist, it will only get lighter and further a part as years go on.

REFERENCES Carol Tavris 1992: The Mismeasurement of Women. New York. Simon and Sister Joanne Naiman 1997: How Societies Work. Class power and change in Canadian context.

David Bender and Bruno Leone 1989: Male/Female roles - opposing view points Toronto Star October 29 th 1999 John Kuhn Ehrart and Bernice R Sander 1987: Looking for a few good women in Traditional Male fields Babara Kantowitz 1986: Newsweek Sept 1 1986


Free research essays on topics related to: early stage, job opportunities, gender inequality, female roles, toronto star

Research essay sample on Gender Inequality Female Roles

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