Current Event Analytic Entry

Currently, many issues that involve women are still occurring. Some people believe that women have lower wages than men because of sex discrimination, whereas others believe that women are not discriminated against in the workplace whatsoever. One article specifically discussed the idea that women earn lower wages than man and are provided with unequal opportunities due to gender discrimination. The authors wrote, “A look at the case files shows that even when men and women have equal experience, responsibilities, and qualifications, employers refuse to pay women equally” (Graff and Murphy). This demonstrates that even in the present day, although women are now being welcomed more into the workforce, they still continuously face oppression and discrimination. Even if a man and woman were to hold the same title and position, there are times when the man has a much higher salary than the woman. Although the wage gap between the two genders has significantly decreased, the gap is still very large and it affects women working in every field and position. Due to this wage gap, throughout their lifetime, highly qualified and educated women will lose significant amounts of money because they of their gender. Overtime, this gap adds up and can have a negative impact on a working women’s life. Each year, employers are forced to pay out enormous amounts of money, for discriminating against their female employees. Even though more women are entering the workforce, some still continue to face discrimination. Lorene Schaefer was a top lawyer in the transportation division at General Electric’s, who was demoted without any prior warning. She believed that she, as well as other women working for the company, were discriminated against due to their gender, which is why she ultimately decided to sue the company. “The complaint accuses GE of “systemic, companywide discriminatory treatment” of more than 1,000 female attorneys and executives. It alleges that they make less than their male counterparts. It also alleges that GE doesn't promote women at the same rate as men” (Reisinger). This shows a specific example and case where a women who performed very highly and truly made a positive impact on the company had to suffer. Although she holds a similar position to many of her male coworkers, the female executives and attorneys earn less money and they are promoted at a slower rate. This discrimination against women employees shows that women are being given jobs in the workforce such as executives and attorneys, but overall, they are still facing discrimination. These women employees may perform even better than their male coworkers, but in the end, the male coworkers may be given a higher salary and promoted sooner. Schaefer believed that women had hit a glass ceiling, which means that women have an invisible career barrier that denies them the opportunity to be promoted to higher management. On the contrast, another author believes that although many people claim a glass ceiling prevents women from being promoted into higher positions; this claim is nothing but false. “The reason there are fewer women CEOs has to do with choices made by women themselves. Most women prefer to play a greater role in raising their children than their male partners and therefore do not choose to work the long hours and many years that are required for promotion to the executive suites” (Furchtgott-Roth). From this perspective, it is shown that the reason that there may not be as many female CEOs is not due to a glass ceiling, but rather due to the fact that many women would prefer to spend more time with their children. Women may not have the time to take care of their children as well as working extremely long hours, which is required of a CEO. Feminists often portray women as the victims, since it gives them economic benefits, but overall, imposes more economical costs on the rest of society. Many women who believe that they were discriminated against in the workplace do win their cases; everyone else has to suffer the consequences. Women today continue to enter highly qualified fields and are well-represented in a variety of professions. Females are now entering and being accepted into the political field as well as entering occupations that used to be primarily dominated by males. Although the wage gap tends to widen between men and women, it is not due to gender discrimination, but rather that women oftentimes either work part time or completely leave the workforce. Women now have equal opportunities in the workplace and sex discrimination does not hold them back from either receiving a job or a promotion. Today, the debate is still ongoing. Some believe that women are still being discriminated against in the workplace, whereas others believe that women are not being discriminated against in the workplace. Up to this point, the evidence shows that at times, women may not be given a certain job or promotion due to their gender, but other times, women are most definitely given equal opportunities. At times, women, who hold the same position and title as a male coworker, may be paid less. This idea definitely points to unequal opportunities in the workforce and possible discrimination. However, if a woman is not promoted or given a job, it may not be because of her gender, but because a man may have higher qualifications. Overall, there are times when women are discriminated against even today, but there are still other times when they are provided with equal opportunities.