Blog #12

Occupational segregation is an unfortunate reality within today’s society. Occupational segregation is a problem which has occurred for hundreds if not thousands of years and consists of segregation based on race, sex, religion, age, and gender. The type of occupational segregation as it relates to this class pertains mainly to issues of sex. Laws are currently set in place by the EEOC, and though they help are not 100% foolproof. Segregation in relation to your sex exists despite these laws by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The facts are troubling. Women make about 30% less than men in similar positions despite education, training, and other qualifications. Social and institutional factors contribute to the problem as well. Our society begins molding the minds of the young from birth. We dress our boys in blue, and our girls in pink. We (society) tell our boys to be strong, while encouraging our girls to be sympathetic. Boy’s play football and girls partake in gymnastics. The list goes on and on. These small happenings all promote occupational segregation and make the problem worse. Society needs to break these methods of teaching in regards to sex starting at birth. I believe that legislation along with a new way of thinking will all contribute to diminishing the problems of occupational segregation. Despite our grim history and outlook small steps are being made in the right direction. Women, have made monumental steps within the working industry. Women that have broken into male dominated occupations have advantages. Financially most male dominated jobs pay substantially more than traditional women’s jobs, nearly 20-30 percent more! These non-traditional jobs obtained by women can lead them to financial stability and out of any destitute financial situation. I don’t believe males are affected negatively when women take on non-traditional jobs. I believe women entering into these types of jobs promote constructive competition. Competition makes for more productive employees and more productive employees make for a better work environment.