Women in the Workforce

1526 Words4 Pages

As the times change, so do the standards. Women previously have been looked at as homemakers, housewives, subordinates. In this new century, this has changed dramatically. Not only have women sought extensive amounts of education, they have sought means to expand and solidify their skills. Although women continue to face discrimination, the qualifications of the playing field have leveled out.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012), in 2011, women accounted for 47 percent of the workforce (ages 16 and over). Their occupations varied, as well as their marital status and their status as a mother.

Also, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration (2011), 14 percent of households are headed by single women, whereas only 6 percent of households are headed by single men. There are more households headed by women, which means more women are the sole earners of income in their household. The workplace plays a critical role in the lives of women.

In addition, more women than men aged 24-35 earned college degrees based on 2007-2008 data (U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration, 2011). This is a more educated workforce with the possibility to make a significant impact in the areas of advancement (e.g. innovation), knowledge transfer (e.g. mentoring), and leadership (e.g. management).

Consequently, the policies of companies that employ women can have a positive or negative effect on their households, career advancement and earning potential, as well as the lives of those that depend on them. Mary Van der Boon (2003) in her article titled, “Women in international management: An international perspective on women’s ways of leadership”, descri...

... middle of paper ...

...sidered as a matter of respect. Secondarily, when having to travel to areas women have never traveled before; their safety is of highest concern. So surely, gender should be aggressively considered in terms of safety and cultural respect.

Works Cited

Bloch, S. (2011). Expat women: Job & careers abroad. Retrieved from http://www.expatwomen.

com/expat-women-jobs-careers-abroad/8-steps-to-dissolving-the-glass-ceiling-susan-

bloch.php

Drury, M. (2011). Women technology leaders: Gender issues in higher education information

technology. NASPA Journal about Women in Higher Education, 4(1), 96-123.

Ihlwain, M. (April, 2008). Cracks in a particular glass ceiling. Business Week, 58.

Van der Boon, M. (2003). Women in international management: An international perspective

on women’s ways of leadership. Gender in Management, 18(3/4), 132-146.

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