About Gender Inequality

Gender inequality arises when men and women do not have equal rights and opportunities in all social areas, including the social and economic sectors (Healey 98). The unequal treatment stems from variations in communally formed gender roles, as well as biological variances in the makeup of male and female chromosomes, brain anatomy, and hormone makeup. Gender inequality stems from scientifically grounded or socially constructed distinctions, and it manifests itself when men and women's behaviors, goals, and wants are treated with differing levels of value and favor (Kalleberg, 3).Just like several other states, US also experiences changes in gender relationships and the questioning of inequalities between men and women at work, home and in public affairs. Unfortunately, facts show that gender gaps and disparities persist despite the social and economic transformations and rigorous movements aimed at changing women’s subordination (Karl and Friedrich 68).

There has been considerable national and international dealings that have been undertaken to curb gender equality, but despite the corrective actions, only 2.96 percent of nations have acquired gender equality. The countries that have achieved gender equality are; Cuba, Sweden, Costa Rica and Norway (Natalie). Admission to the primary level of education, good health and long life expectancy, political democracy and equal chances of gaining economic opportunities are some of the measures that are used to measure gender equality (Wright 108). Gender equality should be prioritized globally for it will be a primary step in the growth and economic improvement of human beings (Wright 108).

Evidence to support existence of Gender inequality

Gender equality is deliberated by evaluating the representation of men and women in a variety of role (Karl and Friedrich 68).There are striking facts that are evidence that with no doubt gender inequality persists in the United States as much as it exists in the rest of the states in the world. Some of these facts are:

1. Even in the twenty-first century, women only earn approximately 80% of what men make when they do full-time work (Healey 99).Different races experience different wage gaps with whites having a significant wage gap between genders (Krugman 944). American women earn 78% of the wages that their male counterparts do, while the black American women receive 90% of the salaries that their male counterparts get paid (Krugman 944).

2. The chores are undertaken by ‘Housewives’ are ranked in the lower half of all groups of workers in the social status (Krugman 944). Their work is considered to be below that of the ‘blue collar workers.’ Statistical evidence from developing countries reveals that women are more likely to fail in business and return to their sedentary way of life even without means of earning income. In a case of failure of business, men are likely to look for alternative employment as household chores are not their priority (Kalleberg 6).

3. In cases where both partners in a marriage work and earn wages, women still engage in double as much housework and childcare. Women have very little power, and their value is lowered at home and also in their workplace, these findings are according to the 2014 report of The International Labor Organization (ILO) (Wright 108).

4. Women are hardly assigned managerial or supervisory positions, and when they do, their positions are not given as much weight and authority as men in those positions would be given(Karl and Friedrich 87). Records on statistical discrimination indicate that women are always likely to be deprived of certain occupational positions when compared to men of the same qualification (Krugman 914). The records elaborate that the gender discrimination is because women, more often than not leave their work when they get pregnant or when they marry (Krugman 914).

5. Gender violence is a primary issue to the international community and is significantly rising. For instance, two Saudi sisters were murdered in cold blood by their brother in the presence of the family members with the pretense of securing family image (“Gender Equality”).The unfortunate incident happened in Pakistan. In Guatemala, over 3000 women were killed over the past seven years due to cases dealing with gender-based violence (Wright 108).

6. Observations from the Television and Film industry reveal that in the Academy Awards that were held in 2013, out of all the nominations for awards that were done, only 35 ladies were nominated as compared to the 135 gentlemen that also got appointed (Natalie). It is unfortunate that not even one woman was nominated for director, cinematography, film editing or original score categories (Natalie). In the Best producers’ category, only seven women had ever won the producer's awards since the academy began producers have ever won Began in 1929 (Natalie). The seven women who have ever won were found to have been co-producers with men (Natalien.pag).

Explanations for Gender Inequalities

According to psychology, men take more risks than women, and they are likely to be more aggressive due to their exposure to androgen. Females are more compassionate than men, and they have a better oral memory as compared to men who have better image memory (Healey 99).There have been suggestions that psychological and bodily differences are adaptations that cause the distribution of labor.

Averagely men are taller than women, but women have longer lives as compared to men, though it is not comprehensible scientifically how and why this happens (Healey 76). Men’s lungs are larger regarding volume and therefore circulate more blood and have more clotting features when compared to women’s lungs (Krugman 944). The above differences are viewed to be an adaptation to allow sexual specialization and therefore according to these differences, some people can never see men and women be equal (Healey 78).

Cultural stereotypes determine specific roles to be carried out by either men or women, and their dictated opinions are probable causes of gender inequality and the resulting gendered wage gap (Natalie). Throughout their lives, males and females are brought up differently, and in different environments, therefore, they gain various experiences (Karl and Friedrich 87). Males and females are treated differently and are associated with different things in life even before they are given the chance of choosing their paths in life. Boys are always associated with the blue color and their toys are trucks and sports related. Girls are typical of the color pink, and their toys are dolls, model houses and kitchen equipment where they take care of their dolls (Natalie). The upbringing that children have exposed to models their personality, Career paths, and relationships (Natalie).

Closing the Gender Gap

According to New York Times 2017, Economists suggest that flexibility regarding place and time would get women to get work done better and would consider closing the gender gaps(Natalie). However, due to the flexibility stigma (being penalized in pay and promotion), most parents do not request for flexibility in their work schedules (Natalie). Twitter, a social media company, was criticized in 2016 for lack of gender and racial diversity in its workforce (Natalie). The criticism caused it to promise to raise the women’s percentage to 35% of its global workforce and 25% of its leadership roles (Natalie). Through a corporate partnership with approximately 100 companies, the World Economic Forum (WEF) is trying to change the composition for the conference attendees(Natalie). According to New York Times, the 100 companies partnering with WEF have agreed to include at least one female employee in five of the other gender at Davos, and if they do not comply, they should restrict their participation to four participants (Natalie). Since WEF changed the rule, women’s participation in this forum has doubled (Natalie).

People have begun to ‘talk back’ constructively as a way to expose gender inequality in politics and inadequate representation in other institutions (Wright 68).The people who are involved with research have introduced ‘Undoing gender’ where they educate and overarch gender understanding by encouraging social interactions that reduce gender differences (Natalie). Diffusion of gender norms through the gender-balanced decision making especially at the international level can combat institutionalized sexism in politics (Natalie). Scholars have also emphasized the value of every individual’s importance in capturing individual experiences instead of gathering combined skills of the male or female (Natalie).

Conclusion

Economically, gender discrimination dramatically prevents growth causing countries not to reach their potential regarding productivity (Krugman 944). As much as national and international measures are being used to overcome gender inequality, they have not been sufficient. The struggle to overcome gender inequality is a continuous and painful struggle, but it is not impossible. However, it has to be waged at the level of people’s perception. The individual opinions about gender biases should improve to match the current economic demands, education and technological development.

Works Cited

Healey, Justin. " Issues in Society." Gender Discrimination and Inequality. . 2014: Spinney Press, n.d.

Kalleberg, Arne L. 2011. Good jobs, bad jobs: The rise of polarized and precarious employment systems in the United States, 1970s-2000s. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, American Sociological Association Rose Series in Sociology. p. 1-7.

Karl, Marx and Engels Friedrich. "Classical Works on Social Stratification and Inequality." MANIFESTO OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY. 1848. p. 1-68.

Krugman, Paul. "Consequences of Inequality." The Great Deivergence. n.d. 944.

Natalie, Proulx. "Gender Equality." New York Times (2017).

Wright, C Mills. "The promise." The Socialogical Imagination. 1959. 7.