If so, why?

Jakob Glidden

Is the progress towards gender equality stalled?

What exactly is gender inequality?

Men and women experience different opportunities, freedoms, and social regards than one another

Women typically do not experience as many opportunities as men

Men are usually the decision making head of the household

Men hold most of the influential social positions, which have elevated levels of political, economic, social, or legal power

Where does this inequality come from?

The inequality between men and women regarding many various aspects of their lives is shaped by a perception of the other gender as different, or “other”.

These perceptions have shaped the expected roles and circumstances of both genders, with males most often receiving a majority of the power in a given society.

Perceived Differences across the globe held by men

Men are more practical; women childish

Men are more physically strong; women are weaker

Men are independent leaders; women are dependent followers

Men think and use reason more; women are less knowledgeable

Men are more rational; women are emotional

Men are the creators of rules; women are ruled by circumstance

Perceived differences across the globe held by women

Women are mature; men are childish

Women are gentle and nurturing; men are brutish

Women are sexually refined; men are sexually uncontrolled

Women are cooperative; men are power-hungry

Women are virtuous; men are morally weak

Women are more emotional; men are cold and unfeeling

It is important to note that these beliefs have been compiled from various regions, periods, and social characteristics

These beliefs have been reinforced by both genders, and have the ability to shape one’s life experiences and opportunities

In most cases, the thoughts, opinions, and desires of women are marginalized by these beliefs due to a perceived sense of less valuable, or expected contributions to society or the economy

How do these perceptions play into real life situations?

90% of countries in the world treat women differently than men under the law in at least one way

In 28 of these countries, most of which lie in Northern Africa and the Middle East, there exist at least 10 or more legal differences between men and women according to their laws and regulations

Creates an almost absolute dichotomy of differences between men and women

Certain genders are restricted from certain occupations/duties

Why are women’s beliefs apparently secondary to men’s claims about differences?

Women’s claims about reality remained secondary to men’s claims, because men controlled the institutions that set the dominant ideology in place.

Men historically held more favorable and influential positions in government, religion, industry, and the household

Male personality characteristics and cultural orientations have shaped the terrain of high-status positions themselves

When a female enters into these normally male-dominated positions, there seems to be a conflict between the perceived feminine essence or nature of that woman and the dominant masculine essence which shaped these influential positions

What factors may be stalling progress towards gender equality?

Education

Expected duties

Difference in wages

Employment across various economic sectors, namely industrial

Education

Many see education as a major obstacle to gender equality, with the main issue being equal access to quality education for both genders

Education, in my opinion, is not a major stalling factor for gender equality, as many sources point out an increase in the female:male secondary education ratio; indicating that more girls are receiving similar educations to boys than ever before.

Female to male secondary education trends across regions

It is important to note that the biggest changes in gender education equality are happening in the places with the most existing inequality (Africa and the Middle-East)

Typical employment rates for women globally are around 50%, but is only 20% in these regions

Although education rates are becoming more equal, women are still finding themselves to be paid less than men, have a harder time gaining employment due to various factors, and underrepresented in many occupational fields.

Difference in duties

Women are traditionally expected to care after young family members and to care for the family’s settlement.

One factor that exacerbates this reality is the fact that the male of a household is typically the bread-winner, who can not justify losing their income in order to care for an infant or child.

In addition to this, if a woman is equally qualified as a man for a job, often times the job will go to the male, due to the fact that he would not typically request as much paid leave from work.

Female to male employment ratio

Although the overall employment ratio for men and women is becoming more equal, there is a reduction in the number of females working in the industrial sectors, which are typically more specialized and higher paying jobs

The more desirable and higher paying positions are being given to males due to a variety of factors, but which ultimately stem from a sense of increased efficiency and commonly held perceptions about the abilities or experiences held by either gender.

Wage gap figures

In 2013, in regards to full-time, year-round employees, women were paid only 78 percent of what men made

In the U.S., the best place for pay equity is Washington D.C., where women receive 91% of what men made for similar duties. The worst place is Louisiana, where women receive 66% of what men made annually on average

Although the wage gap is most noticeable in specialized fields, women face a pay gap in nearly every field, including female dominated positions, such as school teachers and healthcare.

Since the latter half of the 20th century, there has been many improvements regarding the issue of gender inequality

Although these advancements, such as an increase in education levels, are notable, not much has changed in regards to the wage gap experienced between women and men.

I believe that the progress to gender equality has stalled, and is due to the preconceived notions, perceptions, or qualities of people of different genders. These preconceived notions affect the opportunities and experiences that one is able to experience by placing norms on that group to act out in society. In the case of gender inequality and women in specific, they are expected to give their lives towards the pursuit of taking care of their family rather than to accumulate wealth to acquire property and carry out their desires rather than those imposed on them by the dominant masculine ideology in place currently

Has the progress towards gender equality stalled?

Sources

http://faculty.uml.edu/mduffy/48.240/Petersen%20and%20Morgan%20Gender%20Wage%20Gap.pdf

http://www.nyu.edu/classes/jackson/future.of.gender/Readings/DownSoLong--WhyIsItSoHard.pdf

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/Poverty%20Reduction/Inclusive%20development/Humanity%20Divided/HumanityDivided_Ch5_low.pdf

http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2015/04/14/the-gender-wage-gap-in-eight-charts/