BLog # 12

Although we have laws that prohibit discrimination based on sex it still exists because it is something that is socialized. The best way to describe it is that is a part of a bureaucracy that was formed by our founding fathers at the time when women were not part of the work force or any rights. Although women have come a long way, this bureaucracy still is a main factor in the discrimination by sex. We have been socialized that women still belong in the home, or in career’s that require nurturing, such as teachers, nurses, or social workers. On the other hand, men are still thought to be the breadwinner and receive higher salary on average than women, and they go into jobs such as engineering, automotive, and construction. This gender socialization causes the genders to maintain what is expected because there are many negative associations with stepping outside the norm. However, by taking the risk to step outside the norm also has many benefits and rewards. Research has also found that this type of segregations is a main contributor of women being in poverty.
Aside from being socialized that each gender has specific jobs they should do, the institutions also contribute to segregation. For example, during the application process and into the interview process, men and women are first stereotyped by their gender. If the job is something that is primarily done by men, then the position is more likely to go to a man than a woman applicant. Although it is more difficult to step into these types of situations, there are many advantages for women if they are able to break into male dominant occupations. For example, the salary is generally better in male dominant jobs such as engineering, construction, aviation, and other trades. Another advantage of non-traditional jobs is for many women, it would allow them to move out of poverty because it would create more job stability.
In my opinion, I do not feel men will lose by women entering into these types of jobs. It creates better opportunities for women and their families, so men would benefit from this as well. The poverty rates would go down, so men would not be contributing as much to welfare and other government aid programs that assist women in poverty. It creates more competition, which most men are generally a fan of and it allows for different opportunities as well as a different type of co-worker companionship. I personally think that women breaking into male dominated occupations would benefit everyone.