The Glass Ceiling

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From the time women started working, they have been facing the challenge of breaking the glass ceiling in order to climb to the top of the corporate hierarchy. Although the glass ceiling is not as prominent as it was in the past, it is still very real, and it affects not only women but other minorities. Whether it is the ceiling, wall, elevator, or cage, the glass prevents women from advancing in their careers. It has existed from the beginning, and even with the help of equality laws, it still poses a problem today. However, thanks to several outstanding women, the glass has developed several cracks; the future appears brighter. It is a challenge, but it is not impossible: Women can break the glass and soar to the top!
The glass ceiling is a subtle barrier of discrimination that limits minorities from moving up the corporate ladder. There are other barriers referred to as glass walls or glass elevators that restrict women’s progress in only certain career fields (Mathis and Jackson 85). Although the glass barriers can affect all minorities, they are best known for stalling the success of women. As Ann Morrison—author and researcher—discovered through her “Executive Women Project”, the glass ceiling is not the prevention of one who cannot handle an executive-level position, but instead, the discrimination of women simply because of their gender (Morrison 13). Although there is clear evidence of the inequality between genders, some still believe that the glass ceiling is just a self-imposed barrier better referred to as a glass cage “held together by the misgivings [women] have about [their] ability to succeed and handle the demands of leadership” (Warrell). The idea of the glass cage is just another product of the glass ceiling a...

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...a. "Andrea Jung." The Guardian. The Guardian, 07 Mar 2013. Web. 19 Nov 2013.
Khaleeli, Homa. "Indra Nooyi." The Guardian. The Guardian, 07 Mar 2013. Web. 19 Nov 2013.
Kingsley, Patrick. "Carol Bartz." The Guardian. The Guardian, 07 Mar 2011. Web. 19 Nov 2013.
Mathis, Robert. L. , and John. H. Jackson. Human Resource Management. 13th ed. Mason, OH: South-Western Pub, 2011. Print.
Morrison, Ann M. Breaking the Glass Ceiling. Readings, MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1987. Print.
Sandberg, Sheryl. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013. Print.
Warrel, Margie. "Glass Ceiling or Glass Cage? Breaking Through the Biggest Barrier Holding Women Back."Forbes. Forbes.com LLC, 04 Aug 2013. Web. 19 Nov 2013.
Wilson, Gretchen. E-mail Interview. 22 Nov 2013.
"Women's Earnings and Income." Catalyst. Catalyst, 18 Sep 2013. Web. 5 Dec 2013.

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