Micaela

Women’s Bathroom. Men’s Bathroom. Men’s Office?

Recently women working at Wal-Mart have faced pay gaps when compared to men’s pay, they have been protesting vigorously. The company has been "under fire" for it's treatment of women, but in actuality, this sort of prejudice and discrimination is found everywhere. Studies have shown that Women get paid less than Men, this has been an occurring theme since Women have entered the work force. Looking back on our history as a country, we can point to various events in which Women have suffered at the hands of big business executives. (The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, Mills etc.) From reading a number of articles one can infer that although there isn't as much of a discriminatory issue in the work place and corporate world, it still lingers and upsets many. Women have a hard time being treated the same or being thought of as the same value of men. It goes for men as well, recent studies have shown that men face difficulties getting jobs women normally hold, for example, the job of a secretary is viewed as a women’s job. It has been found that men loose out on these jobs because they are not the “typical employee.” For more first hand experience references, As an interview subject, my father Marc Silver was full of information on how gender played a roll in his life growing up and especially in his business, finance After graduating Columbia with a degree in Business, he then went on to train for jobs in the finance section of the Business world. Throughout College and his training programs, women were also treated equally, they were split almost evenly, men and women in population of the programs and they were all given the same learning experiences and opportunities. Then once he got his first job, he realized that there was a significant male dominance and presences in the office. This continues to be the case in his current job as Sales manager in the Finance section of Stifel Nicolaus. How does gender play a role in the workplace? This question comes to mind when because most know that the stereotypes of men fit into the business world, while it does not for women. This is an outdated stereotype, because it is well known that there are strong and successful women in the workplace and men do stay at home and work in places other than an office. The issue is we still constantly hear about gender discrimination throughout all aspects of life, it is important to question why this happens, how we can fix it and how it affects those who deal/dealt with it in a number of different ways. That way we can reverse the cycle and encourage equal rights in all aspects of life for everyone. As a boy growing up in Fairlawn New Jersey, my Father never had experienced gender discrimination. Stating that the area he lived in was very liberal and was full of open-minded people, neither he nor his friends felt pulls to act one way or another, or hang out with just boys. In fact, he spent his entire summer one year with his sister’s bunk at camp due to discontent for his own. Although it wasn’t until high school that he hung out with girls a lot, he was aware of their equal intelligence and academic excellence, although admitting that he did feel boys were superior athletically, he said that is boy athletics were stressed in high school and not so much for girls. This is not the case for every up bringing of a child, we constantly hear on the news of people taking their lives due to stress in gender identity. It is common to hear stories of boys and girls a like feeling pressure to act one way or another. While my father’s parents, teachers, coaches, friends and community allowed him and others to be themselves, that is not the case for many people. My Father’s assistant, referred to as an associate, is the only woman in the office, and although she and other women in the business are just as intelligent and bright as any men that work in it, it is a similar story for many firms. Stating, “I find it is hard for women to break in.” The realization that my father, as well as most people in the workplace have viewed gender discrimination or experienced it themselves at least once, is a very overwhelming idea. As my mother interjected that it is hard for men to understand, or any one for that matter how minorities or disadvantaged groups are treated because they don’t have that kind of sensitivity for specific statements or actions. Stating that they can’t pick up the things that are normally underlying discrimination. This leads to the thought that the reason it is hard for women or men to “break into” a specific business is because the other gender or majority doesn’t understand the feelings or needs of the minority. This leads to the conclusion that gender roles are a cycle that cannot stop unless someone does “break the cycle.” It takes compassion, understanding and open mindedness to relate and help one another, but that is the only way we can fix what is being viewed by not only my parents but by many others. It is important to take the time to consider the views of other and let them have the same opportunities you would like for yourself.

Start with the Walmart paragraph, but redo it so its interesting--too dull a beginning--describe a protest and not it just a sentence or two! Find one on youtube and recreate it in words. MrC

I like your title and how your writing captures the readers attention. I also think that you should give your opinion on the subject. (Madeline Katz)

Starting with a question was good, but I feel like you need to have some more anecdote about the protests and your parents' experiences. ---Tamsin

I like how you talk about your dad's childhood and college experience compared to his life and work experience now. (Nicole)

You should try to explain some of the events more. Otherwise it was really well written. (Jordan)