Has male superiority in our culture depreciated the roles of women in the workplace or
household? Do women use these predetermined roles as excuses rather than incentives?
Although there are specific gender roles in society, gender bias does not determine
whether a woman fails or succeeds. While the “second-generation bias” (Ibarra) has
made overcoming the impediments of prejudices against women more difficult, there is a
misconception that these stereotypes prevent women from being successful. Women may
have the same legal rights as men, but personally, I think they are forced to live by a
double standard socially, constantly facing judgement for doing the same exact things
men do everyday solely because of their gender.
Arguments about gender bias often pertain to inequality in the professional
environment. Unlike men, women leaders have to work hard to create a balance between
authority and friendliness in the workplace (Paludi 27) and female bosses must “prove
their competence to skeptical subordinates, whereas the competence of male bosses is
assumed until proven otherwise” (Paludi 40). Gender stereotypes in the workplace create
unjustified difficulties, but the misconceptions regarding these stereotypes generate
unnecessary stigma about working women (Catalyst). Even in professional environments,
women are not treated as equals.
In today’s society, misconceptions about the bias are more common than the
actual bias in today’s society. In the early 1920’s, women’s roles and men’s roles did not
overlap (Benner), and there was no confusion about the ‘place’ of a male or female.
There were fewer misconceptions because women did not want to stray from the norm.
Presently, though there is little restriction on the roles of men and women, the
expectations are greater. Gender inequality is not nearly as prevalent as it may have been
in the past because it appears now as a more complex, underlying stigma.
Rather than the idea that all women should maintain the household and care for
children, women in modern times are expected to accomplish more than raising a family
(Basow 447). If they do so, they face gender bias in the workplace, and if they do not,
they are looked down upon by men and women. Working women are ridiculed for not
devoting enough time to their family, while unemployed mothers are pitied for not
pursuing a career. “A woman’s loyalty to family means disloyalty to work” and vice
versa (Aaron). Though it is outrageous that gender bias even exists, it is unfair for women
to use that as an excuse to limit themselves. If a woman is a housewife, mother, or
businesswoman, it should be because she wholeheartedly desires that, not because those
are the expectations she believes society has placed on her.
Females seem to have maintained the notion that they will be treated differently
than men despite the progress made in women’s rights over time. Many women have
difficulty pursuing careers that are more common for men because they think they will be
mistreated or have an unfair advantage in the workplace. On the other hand, women with
a more feminist mindset pursue those careers because they assume employers who seek
to appear less bias will give them the advantage. Regardless of the existing bias, women
are able to manipulate their circumstances to justify their choices, rather than taking
personal responsibility for choice they make.
In today’s culture, it is difficult to determine the exact issue of gender bias. Does the
problem lie with men’s misconceptions about women, or have women become
comfortable with those misconceptions? Is inequality between men and women
significant or have women begun to use the inequality to their advantage? “Be an
individual so people view you first, not your gender” and remember that you do not need
to take on "male" interests or stereotypical behavior (Aaron). Women should utilize
resources to conquer gender bias rather than waiting for special treatment simply because
they face prejudice. Simply because women and men have the same legal rights, there is
still a huge gap of gender roles that causes women to be pressured by the double standard
they face in society.
Bibliography
Aaron, Susan. "How Women Can Battle the Stereotypes." Monster. (2013): n. page.
Web. 15 Nov. 2013. <http://career-advice.monster.com/in-the-office/workplaceissues/how-women-can-battle-stereotypes/article.asp&xgt
Basow, Susan. Gender: Stereotypes and roles. 3. xiv. Belmont, CA: Thomson
Brooks/Cole Publishing Co, 1992. 447. Print.
Benner, Louise. "Women in the 1920s." NCPedia. NC Library. Web. 2 Nov 2013.
<http://ncpedia.org/history/20th-Century/1920s-women>.
Catalyst. Catalyst Quick Take: Women's Earnings and Income. New York: Catalyst,
2013.
Ibarra, Herminia. "Conquering Gender Bias." Women In Business. Insead Knowledge, 24
10 2013. Web. 1 Nov. 2013. <http://knowledge.insead.edu/women-inbusiness/conquering-gender-bias-2924>.
Paludi, Michele. The Psychology of Women at Work: Challenges and Solutions for Our
Female Workforce. ABC-CLIO, 2008. eBook.