Womens Occupational Distribution in the U.S - Essay Example

 Women’s Occupational Distribution in the U.S According to Amott and Matthaei, the work experiences of women in the United s are so varied and multidimensional that common history cannot be traced (3). The occupational life of women in the United States tends to interconnect. The U.S population has a diverse cultural and racial diversity. Thus, the occupational distribution of any group depends on various factors. The lives of any group depend on the lives of other people around them. However, the relationship between different groups of people has not been mutual, equal or cooperative; instead, domination and exploitation have dictated the interdependence (Amott and Matthaei 3).

This paper explores how race, gender and nationality influence women’s occupational movement in the U.S.The United States is characterized with people of different social, economic and racial origin. The American constitution has undergone numerous amendments to ensure socioeconomic equality amongst all American citizens regardless of gender, racial or socioeconomic affiliations. However, some groups still struggle to survive in the cosmopolitan American environment. Amott and Matthaei argue “throughout U.

S history, economic differences among women (and men) have been constructed and organized along a number of social categories” (11). Racial-ethnicity, gender and class have dictated the occupational lives of women in the United States. The magnitude of their effect has a historical affiliation. The non white groups have undergone a series of nasty struggles in a quest to define their position in society. During the capitalism era, non White workers who comprised of a substantial number of women struggled to overcome class oppression.

Racial-ethnic identity in the 1960s brought a sense of solidarity amongst the marginalized groups. Women have encountered discrimination on the basis of their gender in terms of job allocation. Gender discrimination is defined by the race-ethnicity of the perpetrators. Amott and Matthaei indicate “not only is gender oppression and differentiation not a universal experience which creates a common women oppression, the sexual divisions of labor and family systems of people of color have been systematically disrupted by racial-ethnic and class processes” (16).

In the last four centuries, the U.S economy has undergone rapid growth. The population, production of goods and services and the living standards have all increased. In addition, the way in which people work and fill their works has also transformed. These transformations have “influenced gender, racial-ethnic and class hierarchies of the pre-industrial, colonial economy” (Amott and Matthaei 291). Most particularly, women have been able to take paid jobs. However, they encounter difficulties in balancing between their work and house lives.

Under the pressure of the double day, women have put pressure on government and employers to recognize the value of child bearing roles. Many women strive to attain skills that will help them acquire well paid jobs and better working conditions. Women have also become organized and created movements that break down discriminatory barriers that hinder them from accessing better jobs. In addition, “increased participation of women in labor force has spurred women struggles to improve wages and working conditions, and attack head on multiple discrimination they face in the labor force, from sexual harassment to racism” (Amott and Matthaei 309).

This has enabled women to gain financial freedom and avoid dependence on men. A substantial number of women have entered the paid labor force. The work force has ceased from being a preservative of white males. Amott and Matthaei noted “In 1900, white men made up 72 percent of all workers, but by 1990, their share had fallen to 43 percent” (317).In conclusion, it can be noted that the occupational distribution of women in the United States has a historical background. It has been affected by racial-ethnicity, gender and class statuses.

Women in the United States have risen above these challenges and have taken well paid jobs in the labor market. However, the current occupational distribution has in part been influenced by pre-colonial/pre industrial racial-ethnicity, gender and class differences. Work CitedAmott, T. and Matthaei, J. Race and Gender at Work: A Multi-Cultural Economic History of Women in the United States. Boston, MA: South End Press, 1996. Print.