| Like contemporary
man, primitive man too had set for himself living
patterns. These developed with the passage of
time, as man explored himself. Right up till today
the same exercise continues. Man continues his
never-ceasing voyage in understanding himself
better.
Prior to this present period, man had created
barriers between the two sexes; gender awareness
was well known to man ages ago, and on the basis
of this men generally dominated women. Many women
had suffered significantly due to this barrier,
and as a result, a struggle had been ignited in
which women wished to achieve equal power and
no longer be suppressed by men. It is this struggle
that can be viewed as the cause of the changing
gender roles that have emerged today.
Fifty years ago as well, conditions were not what
women would have wanted although they had significantly
improved. In the 1950s, women did work outside
their homes and several of them were supporting
agents to their families as well. However, since
then, things have drastically changed, and the
women’s rights movement has made sure that
women strive more and more for freedom and equality
in their professional lives.
Analysis:
Amelioration of economic conditions in a culture
may cause the expectations of people to change.
This factor has also played significant role in
the amelioration of women’s careers over
the years.
Due to the fact that large industries were being
developed prior to the 1950’s, women gradually
had more scope for professional work. If they
were educated enough they would be able to expand
their horizons. Precisely, this is what happened.
The more jobs that happened to come into the market,
the higher their chances were. More and more women
also began to receive an education as well. This
was because there was more awareness of the fact
that the more a woman was educated the better
her chances were at getting a good post (Ladies
last, 2002).
With diminishing cultural constraints on women,
even for those days, more women were in fact able
to attain an education and get themselves jobs.
However, changes in women’s careers demonstrated
during the latter part of the 1900s were bound
to face stiff opposition by conservative individuals
in commanding positions. In fact, it is amazing
that women have managed to come this far in spite
of many hurdles.
Even today, one maybe compelled to admit that
challenges are being faced and met, and this is
reflected in the words of David Rockefeller: "It
is clear to me that the entire structure of our
society is being challenged." (MacLean, 1999)
American society did change in the last 50 years
for the better as far as gender roles were concerned,
and it was because of awareness and struggle that
the rights of all were beginning to materialize.
Various careers that women have been interested
in since the 1950s, has certainly expanded, and
this has resulted in greater competition between
both genders, as well as among women themselves.
In fact, because of the fewer places that are
available to women today at the highest ranks,
it must be asserted that they now struggle for
them (VandeCreek, 2000).
Though there are negative sides to this, it must
also be asserted that there are positive signs
as well. The negative side is that women are struggling
for posts that are few for them. However, the
fact that there is a struggle going on indicates
that there is a great deal of awareness among
women; they know their capabilities and want to
prove themselves by taking these important positions
that are in fact few (Ladies last, 2002).
In addition to this, the fact that men are also
competitors for the same posts makes the battle
even more exciting. This is because of the fact
tat women are now in the open, and they are ready
to take on the roles of men. Several jobs that
men used to do and were thought to be only posts
that men could handle are now being taken by women.
Top managerial posts as well are observed to be
up for grabs for men and women in many cases (Hafner,
2004). This is in complete contrast to the scenario
in the 1950s and 1960s, where several women opted
for secretarial work.
With the passage of time all people were seen
as equal, whether one was a man or a woman. Both
genders have been given equal status, even though
there are few who think otherwise. The laws support
women and men equally, and this has had significant
success for women in recent times.
From the beginning of this Post Modern period,
one can see that women have become far more prominent
than they were in their professional lives and
other fields as well. The civil rights movement
that demanded a non-segregated society, in which
whites and non-whites could co-exist, also heralded
this period (Flexner, 1959, 18-23).
Considering Post-Modernization, it must also
be remembered that technological influence has
helped encompass a greater number of women to
be assimilated into the workforce. This means
that there are more women that can take up any
job she deems suitable. Also, in Post-modern times,
it has become increasingly easier for women to
enhance their education as well, in fact they
may even keep their studies going while working,
so that they can keep on bettering their prospects.
In contrast to the way that women were kept at
home, today so many of them are working in top
organizations. It also must be remembered that
there are also several changes observed in these
women’s lives.
One particular feature to note is that there
are several working women who put off engagements
until they are satisfied wit their careers. In
view of women striving for the best positions
such as CEO in a top organization, they might
even have children late or not have them at all
(Evans, 1989, 28-32).
It is worth assert6ing here that the existence
of inequality that exists even today is based
on the actions of individuals, especially those
who are responsible for the functioning of the
organization. However, here too women still face
opposition from men. Few men somehow cannot digest
the fact that women are equally capable, and this
is exemplified by organizational practices that
pressurize women (Evans, 1989, 28-32).
Considering these factors, it is worth including
individuals in organizations from all levels.
This is because there are differences in the ways
that they are treated according to job status.
The kinds of jobs that women hold, determines
the way that they are treated.
Generally speaking, if they hold lower status
jobs or blue color jobs not much is said to them
at work or at home regarding their sex (Vinton,
1989, 151-166). If however women happen to hold
high seats there are men that discourage them,
and this especially the case where men outnumber
women. Men in majority almost always hold sentiments
against such women and maintain that a woman’s
place is at home (Rutter, 1997, 22-27).
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