Gender Inequality

Introduction

In the journey of life as a student and scholar, the critical analysis of the world may cause difficulty in wrapping one’s head around a particular idea. These ideas, concepts, or arguments may feel difficult due to the broad spectrum of variables unique to each individual. Throughout the course of learning basic foundational principles of sociology, and discussing topics pertaining to societal norms, mores, and gender and health inequalities, certain reactions have been noted and taken into account. Reactions eliciting difficulty in subscribing to an idea are identified, as well as reflected upon in determining an origin of difficulty. Further strategic planning will aid one in overcoming said difficulties, as well as reflection upon the chosen strategy pertaining to what was learned throughout the entire process. With some cognizant focus on any difficulties experienced through the course of sociology, further insight can be gained from within as one relates to social surroundings. In further understanding the society in which we live, and how one fits into this society, one may be able to obtain a clearer picture as to how to better integrate, and utilize talents and resources in enriching society; helping it to function in a more positive way.

Identification of Difficulty

Throughout the current course of sociology, several topics have been covered and discussed which pertain to the society in which we live. Topics covered range from work and intimate relationships, to gender roles, stratification of gender and class, and various inequalities. In absorbing and analyzing the materials presented throughout the course, as well as in the textbook there have been strong reactions and difficulties within as it pertains to learning about gender roles, inequalities, and stratifications. It is basically a difficult reaction to all that pertains to gender roles and sexism throughout the course and within society. The topics of gender roles and inequalities cause strong reactions of anger, confusion, and suspicion as we learn more about the ways these affect society on a large scale, and compare our society with that of others.

The topics which elicit such strong reactions pertain mostly to the way in which feminism has changed our society over the past 100 years. Further research into one’s history also elicits similar responses when looking at matriarchal societies and the ways in which patriarchal societies took over. Focusing primarily on society as of late, the most gut-reacting difficulties are experienced in studying topics of women in the workforce, legal aspects of gender stereotypes, gender roles in the home, social ideas/behaviors surrounding topics of fidelity, commitment, marriage, and divorce (Giddens, Duneier, Appelbaum and Carr). In analyzing the origins of these difficulties, one may be able to work within oneself to examine and define one’s own morals/beliefs, and structure them in a way to improve one’s life and social surroundings.

Reflection of Difficulty Origins

In analyzing one’s reactions toward certain topics aforementioned, one must discover why certain ideas are not understood, or elicit strong reactions. Before one is to understand the root cause, these reactions must be discussed in further detail. The first reaction noted pertains to women in the workforce. Less than 100 years ago, women were burning their bras and protesting in order to obtain equal rights to vote, work, and be considered equal members of society (Giddens et al.). With this fight and through Woman’s Suffrage, women are now legally considered equal to men and have flooded the work force. Where it was once a woman’s duty to take care of the home while the men went out to earn money, the work rests equally on everyone’s shoulders as individuals. In doing so, the family structure has been compromised, and more children are being raised in daycare and single family homes. Furthermore, women are not earning as much as men, and when it only took one working family member to support the family unit, it takes at least two adults to support a typical nuclear family in the United States. This is because pay has been cut for everyone, not just females. While men statistically earn more than females, they are still not earning enough to support a family as they once did.

This reaction and difficulty is likely to be a result of one’s own personal experience growing up in a traditional home that slowly integrated into a more modern form of functioning. Growing up, one witnessed a parent who was able to be at home to care for the children vs. children who were raised primarily in daycare. The children who were brought up primarily in daycare were (in some people’s personal experience) those with the most behavioral problems in school. They may have been lacking in attention from their own parents. It has caused one to firmly believe that raising a child should be taken more seriously, and planned in such a way that someone is able to give their children the required amount of attention and care to function well in society. One experiences frustration and anger toward the system that is in place, as it often times feels as if we have become prisoners of our own making. Women wanted to be treated like men in a way, however in doing so have given up their female domestic goddess qualities that have enriched society and stabilized the family unit structure for quite some time.

In addition to reacting toward women in the workforce, one found it difficult in digesting fully the topics of gender stereotypes and stratification, as well as gender roles in the home. Gender stereotypes as they pertain to the law can work both for and against women (Giddens, et al.). For the longest time, the law was not on the side of women, and they were not respected as men; often times thought of as property, as animals often are. This is due to the fact that men simply have more physical power on a general level, and had used that power to dominate society. Women have had an uphill battle to climb, and now that they have rights and want to be respected in earning a living for themselves, women who want to raise families are now subject to having to work to support a family if they are not amongst the top one percent in socioeconomic status (SES). With this comes extra strain and pressure on women to not only raise a family, but be full time career women and still come home to cook and clean and take care of their husbands in many cases. This is beginning to change as women become more socialized into society with men, however, it hasn’t changed enough. Women are often times strained when raising children, and feel pressure to balance both a career, family and marriage. It is difficult enough accomplishing just one of these tasks. One reacts to this out of reflection into the past and how much has changed in such a short amount of time when compared to the earliest accounts of human history.

Strategy to Overcome

In implementing any plan to overcome the aforementioned difficulties, a strategy must be formulated. In attempting to understand the concepts further, and see value in them rather than reacting with difficulty, one has drafted a letter written from the perspective of one who believes in what these concepts have accomplished. The letter was written from the Rockefeller family, and it addressed the ideas of putting women into the work force. In an attempt to gain the highest level of financial control and wealth in the world, the financial diagram is set up much like that of a pyramid with a very small percentage of old and new money at the top.

The Rockefeller family in the letter represents the oldest money at the very top of the financial pyramid. From a socialistic perspective, it would be a wise plan for the Rockefellers to convince women to integrate into the work force as it will generate double the earning power for the top of the pyramid, while destroying key societal traditions and values that might take away from a capitalistic, work-force driven, consumer-minded society. These values pertain to the family unit, and being able to support it through one working parent. In integrating women into the workforce, the Rockefeller family was able to double their workforce manpower amongst all corporate conglomerate affiliations they are invested in, while gradually tapering off pay across the board over time so that two parents are now required to support a family unit. It is a brilliant plan, and the letter is similar to that of a business plan. It outlines the nuances previously described.

Reflections on Learning

Each nuance described within the letter/strategy has been affected by the plan to integrate women into the workforce. The nuances described a way to show earning potential for each side effect of women entering into work. When the family structure is compromised as has resulted, it created a need for more consumerism, as women are less likely to make things from scratch and gravitate toward processed, packaged, and labeled goods. They are also less likely to instill the morals and values within their families they once did, and their children are being influenced primarily by televisions ads, social media, music, and peers. These are the primary learning modalities outside of the education system which are influencing the youth.

The aforementioned learning modalities (except for peers who are also influenced by these things) are owned and operated by the top of the pyramid we are referring to as the Rockefellers for the sake of this argument. A very crafty design appears to be in place which allows women to think they are being respected more and given equal rights. However from a philosophical perspective, it appears to be more like voluntary slavery under craftily implemented means of influence and/or mind control, if you will. We are forced into labor as means of survival due to necessity now rather than out of right and free will. This has caused one to take the knowledge of the structure of the system, and how one can either integrate into this is a way that brings joy, as well as choose the best lifestyle for the future based upon this knowledge of struggle which entails getting married and raising children, as well as living as an individual. While it is preferable to have a family unit, one can build this through friends and companions. Where one once envisioned raising children and having a balanced peaceful family home life, reality has sunk in, and one has decided to wait until one can create a balanced home life in which financial stability can be sustainable, and earned without becoming a prisoner to a corporation in which home life is compromised. This may cause one to have children much later in life, but that is alright.

Conclusion

In writing the letter from the perspective businessmen utilizing the aforementioned strategies, one was able to see very positive aspects of the discussed issues from a business perspective. This task was difficult, as it elicited more anger toward the financial leaders of society. For one personally, saying that something “isn’t personal, just business” is a nice way of saying if money is involved, nothing else matters. It is a way to dismiss people’s livelihoods, lives, and what is best for them on the basis that it is financially better for the rich. While one did attempt to overcome these difficulties vie empathy, it was not accomplished. One was able to easily understand the reasoning behind the way society is as it is from a business perspective and why things are as such, however, one is still morally against such notions. A greater understanding was gained, helping form the way one chooses to live life in terms of career, family and social interactions. Engaging in this process will aid one in better understanding the typical nuclear family and struggle of 90% of the population. This will assist one in making smarter decisions in life and being more open and understanding of others. We are all struggling together, and do not have to. With implementations of collectivism within society we can all overcome and form a better, brighter future for our children.

Work Cited

Giddens, Anthony, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum, and Deborah Carr. Introduction to Sociology. 9th ed. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2013. Print.