Are women equal
when in comparison to men? Do men have an advantage when it comes to social
thought, careers, and societal standing? Are women inhibited by their hormones
and brain structures? Through research and understanding there is a possible explanation
that may or may not lead to an answer. Dependent upon how one feels regarding
present information, the questions asked can be answered in various ways.
Biological factors come into play in addition to environmental and social
factors; together an individual becomes one within society. Through not only
physical research and evidence, but through experiences of various women, one
can come to a conclusion on whether the discussed topic has a specific response
intended upon society as a whole.
As Hillary Clinton
endeavored with her valor in running for the presidency against the current President
Obama, some members of society reacted in a demeaning manner. Some could not
accept the fact that she is of female gender- even though she had many enriching
positions throughout her life and was tremendously qualified for the presidency.
As noted in the Denver University Law Review: “Many women believed that they
had to work harder than their male counterparts to earn respect... These women
performed their identities at work as efficient, hard workers because of the
fear that colleagues would not take them seriously if they viewed them first as
mothers and wives and second as professionals” (McGinley, 716). It seems as
though women are forced into acting a certain way around the work force in
order to succeed. Women like Hillary Clinton and others in high authoritative
positions are required to have a façade at all times in order to reach towards
equality, or at least this was noted as what many happen to abide by. According
to this, a woman is looked down upon for the fact of just being a woman- if
this is really true what can a woman do to overcome this? It happens to be a
societal concept that women are weaker in comparison to men; only society can
choose equality, as society and one’s environment make the rules in which all
follow.
Anne
Faustro-Sterling continues this argument by studying the biological debate. In
her work it is noted that, “at the broadest political level, writers such as
Berman and Goldberg raise questions about the competency of any and all females
to work successfully in positions of leadership, while for women working in
other types of jobs, the question is, should they receive less pay or more
restricted job opportunities simply because they menstruate or experience
menopause?” (Sterling, 91). It is absurd and illogical to think that women are
incapable of doing something as well as men, but still particular people think
in this way. According to the above
quote, women are seen as only able to take on certain roles through society because
of their biological status. What does it mean for a woman to have a period- is
it any different from a man having a severe headache, disturbing or
interrupting his work? As a professional one must put those instances aside,
leading to the impression that this circumstance would not matter or come into
play.
In the YouTube
video, “Do Women Earn Less than Men”, Professor Steven Horowitz of St. Lawrence
University introduces the idea of women versus men within the working
environment. Four major ideas are presented to why women make only seventy-five
cents to every dollar that men will make.
These ideas include- education, work expectations, part time or full
time work, and if the job is interrupted by children. This video announces and
explains the concept that, “the difference between men and women’s pay is not a
result of labor market discrimination, but of the choices that men and women
make before or after they are in the labor market” (Horwitz). This professor
certainly says things as he believes they are, but could there be deeper
meaning within his analysis? While women choose to take on certain jobs, is it
truly their choice or the influence of society? Choosing what one will do in
the future is rather different when it is a man choosing versus a woman
choosing. Most men will not take time off of work to care for a newborn.
Society has placed this extra job upon a woman because she has already been
caring for the child in the womb. The responsibility could go to either, yet
women are known to be responsible in this area because society has places this
pressure upon them; either by choosing a not so demanding career, or taking
time off from a demanding career. This by
no means has to do with the one’s brain size and intelligence, but by the
effect of biology onto society- making society an active member in choosing
what types of jobs will fit each gender best.
By further
analyzing research and data; one may see that brain size was once a vital
factor. As we now know the evidence once valid, no longer holds true. In the
past, thinkers noted that, “opponents of higher education for women also
claimed that females were less intelligent than males, an assertion based
partly on brain size itself but also on the overall size difference between men
and women… (because) their average size remains so much smaller, so that the
sum total of food converted into thought by women can never equal the sum total
of food converted into thought by men. It follows therefore, that men will
always think more than women” (Sterling, 92). In the past, women were seen as
less in every aspect of life due to size. It is true that women’s bodies not
only tend to be smaller but brain size and skull size go along with the smaller
aspect as well. In the past this was not surprisingly held with upmost regard,
as the thinkers of that time were known to only speak the truth. This idea
reiterates the point that society will go along with whatever ideas are popular
and known- the concept of social norm, that society will follow what others
follow because it is most commonly followed (Breckler, 310). Regardless of what was thought of, it would be
followed based upon the rules of society. No one wants to go against society;
thus following upon what is said. Now that scientists have become more
realistic, logical, and advanced within their studies- more concrete work has
been introduced.
In chapter two of
Jill A. Fischer’s book, “Gender and the Science of Difference”, Lesley J.
Rogers gives her explanation on the fact that sex differences are not
hardwired. She notes, “by contrast, interactive explanations take experience
into account and consideration that during every stage of development
contributors from experience, genes, and hormones interact in such complex ways
that no one of these three sources influence makes an overriding contribution
in determining the sex differences in behavior” (Fischer, 27). This statement
goes to show that there is no proof, no validity that a woman’s biological
information will influence her on factors such as behavior- which influences
everything in one’s daily life. Based on previous work presented, women have
been known to not have the proper behavior in the work setting and other
settings included (McGinley, 718). This declaration proves the statement made
by McGinley not valid, as behavior cannot be linked to either male, or female.
There is no biological make up of behavior- behavior is learned through
observation of others on a daily basis throughout one’s lifetime
(Breckler). One does not know behavior
until coming out of the womb. Babies all act with extremely similar
characteristics, they are then distinguished as time goes on- when behaviors,
thoughts, and ideas area formed. Thus verifying that the environment overcomes
biology within each and every individual.
Women’s hormones
and brain structures have no significance when it comes to one’s career. The
body has influence but does not choose and force an individual to go into a
certain career path. Women can do what they please, as there is no difference
between a man and a woman, other than size. It is a fact of life that men tend
to be larger in comparison to women (Breckler). In jobs that involve lifting,
this may be an issue, but that is what machines are for- to help move materials
from one location to another. According to “Working Women In America” by
Sharlene Nagy, Hesse-Biber, and Gregg Lee Carter- women must have the
possibility of doing as they please due to equality. While there are jobs known
to females and those known to males, that does not mean that each gender must
go into the most common jobs within that particular gender (mainstream jobs).
The opportunity it there, it simply must be acted upon (Nagy, 179).
Throughout thus
research it has become clear as to why it is not common for women to work
certain jobs. It is not because of biology or because of choice, but because of
society and the environment in which one inhabits. Society places pressure upon
individuals and whether conscious or unconscious thought, it appears as though
others follow the guidelines that society has arranged. Women are constantly gaining
equality, social positions, career status, and societal standing. This will
only continue and flourish as one’s environment permits and society accepts.
Written by Daniella Stern
Works Cited
Written by Daniella Stern
Works Cited
Breckler, Steven J. Social
Psychology ALIVE. CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2006. Print.
Do Women Earn Less than Men? Perf.
Prof. Steven Horwitz. YouTube. YouTube, 3Aug.
2011. Web. 29 Apr. 2012.<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwogDPh-Sow>.
Fausto-Sterling, Anne. "Hormonal Hurricanes: Menstruation, Menopause, And Female Behavior." 90-122. Web. 31 May 2012.
Fisher, Jill A. Gender and the Science of Difference: Cultural Politics of Contemporary Science and Medicine. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers UP, 2011. Print.
McGinley, Ann C., "Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, and Michelle Obama: Performing Gender, Race, and Class on the Campaign Trail" (2009). Scholarly Works. Paper 171. http://scholars.law.unlv.edu/facpub/171
Nagy, Sharlene, Hesse -Biber, and Gregg Lee
Carter. “Working Women In America.” 2nd
ed. New York: Oxford University Pree, 2005. Print. Split Dreams.
