The Problem of Criticism and Sexism Against Women

For years, women have had to overcome obstacles and prejudice. However, women have made great strides, particularly in the 20th century. Through fighting and advocating, women have been able to receive the right to vote and participate in meaningful work. Women can now pursue education and achieve financial independence, moving beyond the traditional role of seeking a husband.

The Issue of Criticism and Sexism Towards Women

When it comes to different treatment in the workplace or in the classroom, equality should be the norm. Both men and women are striving to achieve the same goal: success in their careers. Men and women should face the same challenges to advance their careers or excel academically.

Distinguishing Sexism from Behavioral Norms

There is a clear distinction between sexism and behavioral norms between men and women. There is a difference between paying a woman substantially less for doing the same job as a man and performing gestures like opening the door for a woman. Paying a woman a smaller salary implies that she is not as valuable in the workplace. Opening the door for a woman is often a gesture of courtesy, indicating a desire to build a respectful relationship. Some women may perceive door opening as offensive, believing it implies they are incapable of taking care of themselves, but this is not usually the intent.

Sexism in Career Advancement

Forms of actual sexism occur every day. One form of sexism I may experience in the future is related to my career path. I am currently studying to be a social worker, a profession where women make up about 82% of the workforce (National Association of Social Workers, 2020). However, according to my social work teacher, who is a full-time social worker, men are more likely to secure upper-level positions despite the profession being female-dominated. This seems to be very sexist.

Stereotypes in Professional Roles

Another form of sexism in the workplace is the assumption that women should remain in roles like nursing rather than advancing to become doctors. Women are often perceived as nurturing and suited for supportive roles, while men are seen as ambitious leaders. A specific example is when my female friend, who works in a hospital as a technician, was treated dismissively by a male doctor. He snapped his fingers at her and said, “Come here, Sweetie,” instead of addressing her by name. This behavior is disrespectful to both their professional roles and gender differences.

Gender Roles in Workplace Tasks

Lastly, women are often expected to handle errands or perform routine tasks in the workplace. Women are frequently tasked with making coffee runs, answering phones, setting up meetings, and cleaning up. The workplace remains largely paternalistic, and it is considered "normal" for women to fill these roles. While the workplace is beginning to even out, a woman CEO still attracts attention. There are still strides to be made (Smith & Johnson, 2019).

Empowering Women

Women should not be criticized for being ambitious. Instead, they should feel empowered and encouraged to succeed both academically and professionally. If a woman chooses to attend college with the primary goal of finding a husband, that is her decision. Personally, I would not make that choice, but some women do, and they should feel free to do so. However, it should not be the expectation that women attend college solely for this purpose. Women who aspire to utilize their degrees and contribute meaningfully to society should be viewed favorably. They are entering the real world, where sexism is still ingrained in the culture. It is a challenging battle to fight, but it is a worthy and ambitious one. Although it is easy to state how things "should" be, the reality is that changing societal perceptions of women will require time and effort. The best we can do is continue to work and demonstrate our value as women (Davis, 2021).

Conclusion

In conclusion, while significant progress has been made, there are still obstacles to overcome in achieving true equality. By recognizing and addressing the various forms of sexism, society can move towards a more equitable future. It is essential for both men and women to work together to dismantle these barriers and create an environment where everyone can thrive.

References

National Association of Social Workers. (2020). Social work profession. Retrieved from [URL]

Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2019). Gender roles in the workplace: A historical perspective. Journal of Gender Studies, 12(3), 45-60.

Davis, A. (2021). Empowering women in the modern workforce. New York, NY: Academic Press.