Women Still Earn Less Than Men Because Of Sex Discrimination

Many articles have agreed that women bring it upon themselves to be looked at as less than men in the workplace. However, this article proved that there is still a gap between how much men and women make due to sex discrimination. Evelyn Murphy and E.J. Graff argued that even though women have made successful progression in the areas of education, experience, and opportunities, they still make twenty three cents on the dollar less than men. Some may beleive that twenty three cents does not make that big of an impact on the income of women. This is because they do not consider how much money it could have added up to in their lifetime. They do not realize that the difference women make compared to men could affect their retirement fund, mortgage, food budget, and many more. Along witht this, employers do not see how their unequal technique of payment is affecting the lives of women. Many families have to go through the struggle of only relying on their mother to bring home enough money. This brings up the question, "Why should families be punished simply because the breadwinner is a woman?" (Women Still Earn Less Than Men Because Of Sex Discrimination). It seems unfair that a family should have to suffer because they are victims of sex discrination. Women should be paid equally if they have the same skill as men, but that clearly cannot be the case in our society today. This is especially important for women that bring in the majority of the family's income because they could have a harder time helping their family simply due to their gender. Many of the excuses companies use have to do with women having babies that they choose to take care of. They said that this causes the women's average wage to be lower, however "Only full-time workers' wages are added in" (Women Still Earn Less Than Men Because Of Sex Discrimination). This proves that this is no excuse for companies to be using. What they do not want to admit is that it is their discrimination against women that cause the gap. The authors then brought up the point, though, that sex discrimination isn't necessarily intential. Sometimes "Much of it happens through mindless bias and careless sterotyping" (Women Still Earn Less Than Men Because Of Sex Discrimination). But reguardless of whether it's intential or not, is it not the responsibility of our country to fix what is unfair? Companies have preconcieved notions about women not having the same ability as men, which causes women to be cheated unequal wages. And although many will protest again the progression women have been able to make, this process must continue until women are considered equal to men, especially in the workplace.


Graff, Evelyn Murphy and E.J. "Women Still Earn Less Than Men Because of Sex Discrimination." Opposing Viewpoints: Working Women. Ed. Christina Fisanick. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 8 Feb. 2010 .

She's A Money Player Now

In the previous article, Andrea Poe discussed how we would never see a multi-million dollar football player be a women. She believed that our society could never take a female football player seriously enough to give her the same respect male football players recieve. This theory was proven correct after Heather Sue Mercer filed a suit against Duke University in 1997. She claimed that the Duke football coaches cut her from the football team because she was a women. She said that she was treated differently from the male players, thus, the university violated Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 prohibiting gender discrimination.
After starting on her high school team, Mercer wanted to be the first female Division I kicker. As a Duke walk-on, she kicked a 28-yard field goal earning her the opportunity to play on their team. Soon afterward, former head coach Fred Goldsmith banned her from summer training camp and season practice until he made the decision to cut her altogether. He then continued to ask her, "Why do you insist on playing football?" and "Why not try something like beauty pageants?" (She's A Money Player Now). Not only do these type of statements imply sex discrimination, but it also shows men's lack of respect for women in sports. Goldsmith clearly believed that football was a sport for men, and strictly men. He crushed the dream of Mercer, and disregarded her skills in football. Along with that he added in a stereotypical comment about pageants, going back to the idea of women being treated as objects. He did not take her seriously as a player, so he tried to convince her to participate in an activity that he saw as more appropriate for women. I believe this comment is as sexist as can be because of the little value he sees in women. He makes it seem that women are only useful for physical needs, and does not take their opinions and feelings into consideration. However, after a two week trial, Goldsmith got what he deserved. The jury ruled that Duke discriminated against Mercer, and awarded her with two million dollars in punitive damages. Although Duke planned to appeal the jury's decision, the case still had a major impact on the number of women who played on their school's football team.
Duke University could still say that Mercer's skill was not good enough to be on the team. Regardless of that, though, Goldsmith never should have made those remarks referring to Merce's decisiion to play football. It shows that even today, men consider women to be extremely unequal in sports, but how can they know that if they never give women a true opportunity to play? Mercer took a stand against this unfairness, and in the end succeeded. This could only be more motivation to women everywhere to play sports even if they're against the odds.

Perry, Joellen. "She's a money player now.(Heather Sue Mercer wins sexual discrimination case against Duke University)." U.S. News & World Report. 129. 16 (Oct 23, 2000): 18. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 8 Feb. 2010 .

Women Are The Victims of Sexism

This article discussed how sexism is still common within American society. It continues to be evident based upon the fact that women still have not gained equality in business, the military, sports, politics and even in their own household. From multiple sources of background information, I have come to the conclusion that women refuse to challenge traditional gender roles. Instead, they carry on the typical positions of women such as a teacher, cook, or housewife.
The author, Andrea Poe, tries to convince feminists to defy this stereotype, and become even more active in today’s culture. She demonstrated the need for change by explaining how some aspects of our daily lives have still not progressed over time. In the business world, “Some women have found cracks in the glass ceiling, far more have not” (Women Are the Victims of Sexism). The reason for this is because women are not trusted with the jobs of corporate America. Men have little faith in the capabilities of women, showing why only a small amount of them have found those "cracks" in business. With sexism in the workplace, it is no wonder why "Women continue to be the primary engineers of the cooking, cleaning, and the running of time-consuming household chores " (Women Are the Victims of Sexism). Society makes these unwritten rules too difficult to change, therefore making women continue these trends currently, and for years to come. Women also tend to struggle in having a big role in politics. We still have not had a female president, however we have made progression after Hillary Clinton's campaign. Once a woman becomes president, I believe there will be much more respect for women all over the country. That action would show that Americans have begun to make real gains in providing women with equality.
Even though the struggle for equality continues today, Poe believes that "It may be women, more than men, who perpetuate traditional gender roles" (Women Are the Victims of Sexism). This explains that women are in their current position because of their own choices and actions. Poe further discussed this idea by mentioning some of the traditions of the American home-life. On Christmas, parents usually give their daughters dolls, make-up kits, or a kitchen set, which only allows the present gender roles carry on. They get their child the typical gift instead of getting them a soccer ball, or some other gift that may be given to a boy. In this case, society is not having any input in the decision of the parents. They are following the trend of each gender role, and increasing the chance of their children doing the same thing. With this idea in mind, are women really the victims of sexism like the title implies? It seems that even though women keep fight for equality, at the same time they are pushing themselves farther from any real achievement. And in some ways I do believe that it is the women's fault for conforming to the opinions of society. However, there are many more cases that still need to be fought against that make women the victims. I do believe women should be treated fairly in business, especially when it comes to being paid the same amount as a man. Women deserve to have equal opportunities, but that chance can never come without the effort and unity women had in the past.

"Women Are the Victims of Sexism." Opposing Viewpoints: Feminism. Jennifer A. Hurley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 5 Feb. 2010
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Turned by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

After reading Women and Economics by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, I felt that it was an obvious choice to read one of her many short stories as a literary connection. In Women and Economics, she discussed the small role women had in the economy. She explained that this trend continued due to the pressure of society to keep women out of the workforce. In her short story, "Turned," Gilman focused more on the topic of marriage, instead of women's attempt to work. The main character, Mrs. Marroner, discovered that her husband had been cheating on her with their maid, Gerta. As Mrs. Marroner reflected upon the beginning of Gerta's services, she remembered her physical beauty and willingness to learn. Along with these traits, Mrs. Marroner described Gerta as "perfection in a servant, but almost a defect in character" (368). This description troubled me even before I knew that Mr. Marroner and Gerta had an affair. It was obvious that Gerta was so close to perfection that any man would be physically attracted enough to cheat on their wife. When Mrs. Marroner first discovered this, she was outraged with Gerta. She ordered her to, "Go and pack your trunk" (371) clearly taking her anger out on Gerta without thinking of the part her husband took in the act. Mrs. Marroner's lack of anger towards her husband proved the respect women had for men. She believed that her husband was the only way to achieve happiness, so she did not put the blame on him at first. However, Mrs. Marroner came to the realization that although she was hurt by the situation, she felt more pity for Gerta than anything else. She stated, "All that splendid, clean young beauty, the hope of a happy life, with marriage and motherhood, honorable independence, even-these were nothing to that man" (373). Gerta had hoped for all that the typical women had wanted during this era. While she became emotionally attached, this was a simple fling for Mr. Marroner. He had taken advantage of Gerta's vulnerability without considering her feelings throughout this affair. This demonstrates the lack of respect men had for women at this time, and in some cases, still do today. They believed they could ignore any emotions, and do whatever they please because they were superior. Women were just objects to them, and although he may have loved his wife, it didn't affect the actions he committed to fulfill his happiness.
Mrs. Marroner's response to the cheating could be considered a solution to women being taken advantage of due to their role in society. She left her own house with Gerta, and took put her life into her own hands. She supported herself instead of relying on the job of her husband, and along with that, she took care of the "sacrificed and injured" child. The way Mrs. Marroner handled her situation is an example of how economic independence would release women from their subordination within marriage. She was able to leave her marriage, which was so important to her, and make a provide a sturdy foundation to start a new life.

Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. "Turned." Scribbling Women. Ed. Elaine Showalter. New Jersey: New Brunswick, 1996. 367-376. Print.

Where I'm At Now

Throughout this project, I have been overwhelmed at the amount I could discuss about women. However, after getting more background information, I believe that I have a solid foundation for what I want to discuss. One thing that I have found especially interesting was women working while the men were fighting in World War II. I think it shows a great demonstration of the power of women because in many of the other topics, they talked about the incapabilities women have to have a part in the workforce. With the information that I have so far, I think it all surrounds women trying to become equal to men. I have not really discussed any ideas about the present problem with sex discrimination, but I definitely want to continue looking into it. The idea of women in sports seems interesting, however I have not learned as much about it because my main focus has been on the rights of women in the 20th century.

Women and Economics

Charlotte Perkins Gilman was best known for her book, Women and Economics. She discussed how women could have a positive impact on the economy, however they are never allowed the chance to become involved. They are stuck behind the superiority of men, which gives them the credit for human progress. The reasoning behind this is that women succumb to the roles of women working in the household, which typically was passed down to their children. They never had to give them opportunities to have more successful jobs because they of how common it was to be an unpaid worker in their own home. Gilman best described the little chance women had in the job world when she stated, "She might work as she had worked from the beginning,-at the primitive labors of the household; but in the inevitable expansion of even those industries to professional levels we have striven to hold her back" (AR 355). Even though new advancements were being made, women took no part in them due to their obligation in the household. It was the goal of many men to keep it that way, and make sure women stayed out of the job of a laborer. Gilman found that if women had been accepted into this type of work, the economy could have seen far more advancements. However, Gilman stated that "The smothering 'no' which crushed down all her human desires to create, to discover, to learn, to express, to advance..." (AR 356) overpowered the women's voice in anything but the typical job of mothers. Because of all the negativity towards women working, Gilman believed that women started becoming more dependent on their husbands. It was a necessity to be married in order to receive, "Wealth, power, social distinction, face-not only these, but home and happiness, reputation, ease and pleasure, her bread and butter,-all must come to her through a small gold ring" (AR 356). This demonstrates that women began to believe that because they could not have a real job, the only way to happiness was through marriage. Having a husband would have them to have enough money and a stable lifestyle instead of depending on themselves to get the job done. I believe that we had society to blame for women believing this. It was the creation of the Women's Independent Citizenship Act that made women believe that being married was everything they needed. The act said that women could not even gain citizenship without a husband, so instantly it was implanting the necessity of a husband in their brain. By women having this lack of motivation to work, it becomes no surprise that they do not have recognition for success in America. However, I do agree that the power of women could have improved the workforce like how it does currently.

Gilman, Charlotte Perkins, "Women and Econmics." The American Reader. Ed. Diane Ravitch. New York: New York, 2000. 354-356. Print.

Women's Liberation Movement

No matter how many protests they had or how many new laws were enacted, women could not win the battle for equal rights. In the 1960s and 1970s, women still struggled to break free from their traditional roles in society. Most would view women as objects, and inferior to men in every way. For that reason, the Women's Liberation Movement used the Miss America Pageant to protest male oppression and racism. They viewed the contestants in the pageant to be perfect examples of women being treated at "things." They also fought for the rights of other races because the pageant had discouraged nonwhite contestants from entering. The women tried to prove their point when, "They threw away bras and girdles, tore up an issue of Playboy magazine, and shouted 'Liberation Now!'"(Women's Liberation Movement). By throwing their undergarments away, I believe they were showing their strength in that they weren't just there to look a certain way. They wanted to be noticed for their feelings and opinions, so they were throwing away the objects that enhanced their physical appearance. Along with that, ripping up pictures in the Playboy magazine demonstrates the same idea as women being seen as objects, not humans. It shows women acting a certain way in order to please others-typically men. They were not allowing the ideas of the female be heard, but just being used for their physical attraction. By ripping up the magazine they are making it away that they will not be used for entertainment, but to finally let their voice be heard throughout their whole community. During this time, government hired very few women as professionals. At Universitites, only ten percent of the faculty included women, and although women mainly made up most of the staff at elementary schools, very few were the principal or superitendent.

Berkeley, Kathleen C., The Women's Liberation Movement in America, 1999; Hoff, Mark, Gloria Steinem: The Women's Movement, 1991; McQuiston, Liz, Suffragettes to She-devils: Women's Liberation and Beyond, 1997.

Women's Liberation Movement