Gender and Work-Background
Women face different challenges and may require different skills to be successful in the work place than their male counterparts. The causes and impact of these differences vary depending upon the size of the organization, level of management, and requisite job duties. The proportion of women in the work place has increased 5% since 1980 whereas the number of women in management positions has increased 19% in the same period (Powell & Graves, 2003). Although these numbers are encouraging, research indicates that there is still a gap between women and men regarding compensation for producing similar work. Traditional gender roles, where masculine men dominate their more subservient feminine women, are tied back to early caveman days. Although we have moved beyond the hunter/gatherer versus nurturer roles, very little changed in corporate America until the 1950’s. Research indicates that only 19% of women were in the workforce in 1900 compared to 80% of men (Powell & Graves, 2003). These percentages remained relatively unchanged until the 1950’s. The number of women earning bachelor’s degrees doubled from 1950-2000. The postponement of marriage coupled with increases in employment and educational opportunities for women, led to more women taking on managerial roles in the workplace.
Perception of Gender Roles
The liberation movement of the 1960s-1970s helped change the public perception of traditional gender roles. The introduction of the Equal Employment Organization, Affirmative Action, and discrimination laws helped shape public awareness. Although economic roles between men and women have become more similar over time, sex differences are still prevalent and tensions still exist in the workplace. The most significant difference between men and women in the workforce is between Hispanic men and women. 76% of Hispanic men are in the workforce compared to only 56% of Hispanic women. The lowest difference is between Black men and women where there is only a 6% difference (Powell & Graves, 2003).
Gender Stereotypes
Gender stereotypes have been consistent over time although the study of sex differences is a modern discipline. Research has shown that while girls do have advantages in verbal abilities (grammar, spelling and writing) and boys do appear to be more advanced in their visual-spatial abilities than girls, no sex differences in math concepts have been supported (Bannon, 2004). This appears to affect career choices as there is a larger portion of men in jobs such as firefighters, doctors, and police officers and more women in nurturing type careers such as nurses and teachers. There are numerous theories on why sex differences exist but most can be categorized in supporting either a nature or nurture theory. Those that support biological factors argue that people behave as they do just because they are biologically male or female. Those that support the nurture approach view social-environmental factors as influencing behavior and believe that biological sex has very little to do with how people behave.
Hiring Practices
Organizations in the United States are required to implement nondiscriminatory hiring practices thanks to the civil rights laws. Companies face huge ramifications if they violate those laws. Just because there are laws in place to avoid discrimination, does not mean it does not occur. It is important not to mistake the natural self-selection process where women and men seek job opportunities that fit their personal characteristics with discriminatory hiring practices. Men and women may emphasize different characteristics when searching for a job which may account for some of the differences. Cultural factors may also influence job selection. For example women in Japan typically leave the workforce after marriage. Men and women also differ in the types of activities they want to perform in their jobs. These differences tend to be consistent with typical gender-stereotypes and roles versus discriminatory hiring practices. Job seekers may believe that they cannot succeed in an occupation this is dominated by the other sex, so they do not even try.
References:
Bannon, M.E. (2004). The two sexes: Growing up apart, coming together. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press
Powell, G., & Graves, L. (2003). Women and men in management (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publication, Inc.
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