Throughout this week’s lesson and discussion, I kept coming back to the topic of women in leadership. Historically, women have had to overcome many battles over gender discrimination and equal pay rights. Although women have come far in a relatively short period of time, there are still barriers to overcome in the fight to remain equal in the workplace and in leadership roles. This topic resonates with me much more than the obvious reason, that I am a woman. After studying this topic in the majority of my classes in the last two semesters: Leadership in the Work Place, The Sociology of Aging, Employment Laws for Business, I find myself with the same conclusion: that there is so much more to be done. Engaging in various forms of communications is a step in the right direction. Education is imperative in understanding the inequality women face and in overcoming these inequalities.
Despite the Equal Pay Act of 1963, women still get paid less than men. According to The White House (n.d.) “On average, full time working women earn just 77 cents for every dollar a man earns” (para. 1). This not only impacts the earning potential of a woman over a career but also reinforces the glass ceiling. Glass ceilings prevent women from moving up higher and glass walls “prevent them from moving laterally into areas that lead to higher advancement” (Bennett-Alexander & Hartman, 2012, p. 346). Northouse stated, “Even in female-dominated occupations, women face the glass ceiling, whereas white men appear to ride a glass escalator to the top leadership positions” (p. 353).
Despite facts, there are people that still do not believe wage inequalities exist. Despite facts, there are people that still do not believe that the class ceiling exists. Perhaps an explanation lies within the ignorance of these facts. To overcome this barrier, both employees and employers need to be well informed. Assertiveness is an important trait when overcoming barriers. If there are not enough opportunities within the organization to move forward, then there are options: Ask for more opportunities that give you room to grow and ultimately flourish. If you are at an impasse with the employer, perhaps the best option is to look for an employer that is not only proud to provide diversity in the work place but will actively provide you with the resources necessary to in order to succeed, excel, and to lead.
References
Bennett-Alexander, D. D., & Hartman, L. P. (2012). Employment Law for Business (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership:Theory and Practice (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
The White House. (n.d.). http://www.whitehouse.gov/equal-pay/career. Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/equal-pay/career.
Hi Ashley,
Your blog entry caught my eye, again! ☺
Women in the workplace and women in leadership positions have become a growing interest for me. Perhaps it is because I am nearing graduation and more and more articles are appearing in newspapers discussing women and employment and women and leadership.
Women have certainly come a long way in the past few decades as they, or rather, as we, have obtained college degrees, secured forms of employment and risen to senior roles, both in the corporate world and the political world. Yet with such advancements of women in society, just as you stated, “there are still barriers to overcome in the fight to remain equal in the workplace and in leadership roles” (Merryman, 2013).
The fact that “on average, full time working women earn just 77 cents for every dollar a man earns” (Merryman, 2013) is shocking and hard to fathom given what an innovative society we live in and the advancements that we have witnessed. It certainly seems that the pay gap would have decreased to less than what it is at this moment in time. Northouse points out that even in female-dominated occupations, “women face the glass ceiling, whereas white men appear to ride a glass escalator to the top leadership positions” (Northouse, 2013). It does not seem fair in any light, how can women ever be given the opportunity to excel to elite, or as Northouse refers, “upper echelon” (Northouse, 2013) positions if they are never rightly given the opportunity to do so?
Barriers can often times prove impossible not only to breakdown, but to navigate. The textbook provides valuable insight into a how to remove some of these very persistent barriers, ultimately allowing women to progress into roles of leadership. For instance, “promoting a diverse group of women into leadership roles will not only help make societal institutions, businesses, and governments more representative, but it can also contribute to more ethical, productive, innovative, and financially successful organizations that demonstrate higher levels of collective intelligence that are less rife with conflict” (Northouse, 2013). Implementing change can prove the ultimate challenge, but with gradual change, great strides can be taken in the long run—just as Northouse pointed out, “With changes in workplace norms and development opportunities for women, we likely will see more women in elite leadership roles” (Northouse, 2013).
References
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice (Sixth ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc.
Merryman, A. (2013). Women in Leadership. Retrieved on June 26, 2013 from PSU PSYCH 485 Leadership Blog.
Ashley,
This post was one of my favorites to read. As you said, it isn’t just that you are a woman that you find this to be a problem. Historically, women have come so far. Recently, I read a New York Time’s article that discussed women’s education. Now, more women are more likely to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, with higher grades and within four to five years (Lewin, 2006). According to the article, it isn’t that men are performing worse, it’s that women are coming out on top. It’s truly impressive how far women have come. Yet, as you mentioned, there is still so much work to be done. As you pointed out, women are being paid 77 cents per every dollar a male earns. I also enjoyed your idea that there needs to more education about this inequality. People really believe that this doesn’t exist.
Great post. I really enjoyed the ideas you brought up about women and leadership.
Victoria
Refernces:
Lewin, T. (2006, July 9). At colleges, women are leaving men in the dust. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/09/education/09college.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0