Women: Career vs. Marriage - Research Paper Example

Women’s Career vs. Marriage: Social Benefits of a Career Development Career development is one factor that leads to a higher social status. Other factors are, are, education, family income, and the efforts of an individual. In the current century, there is an increase in the status of women in the society. This is because of the equal opportunities various governments put in place to advance the interests of women (Walsh, 32). Their status is accelerated by the fact majority of them join the workforce, and through hardwork and determination, they progress upward, in the social ladder. This situation is evident from less privileged women, who get employment opportunity, and taking the chance, they utilize it to advance in life (Bratter, 35). It is possible to reduce the social gap between men and women, by creating an environment that makes it possible to pursue their careers. The traditional society had norms and cultures that discriminated against women (Walsh, 41). It defined their roles as house wives, with the capability of doing less paying jobs as cleaners, or even secretaries. This made this group of people to depend on their families, and marriage for social upward mobility. Career development also reduces the level of male domination over women. According to the traditional set up, women and men had different jobs. The responsibility of women was to care for the family, and look after their husbands. The responsibility of men was to feed the family, and provide protection. These roles have not changed, even though women progress in their careers. This is because it is deeply entrenched on the mindset of the two genders, and it would require a lot of time, and efforts to change this particular mindset. It is true, that in certain communities, men are frightened of career women. This is because they threaten their dominion, and authority (Walsh, 51). However it is advantageous for women to work, because they are able to supplement the earnings of their husbands, or the men in their lives. In all cases, financial freedom presents an opportunity to women to gain social freedom. They are able to care for themselves, they are able to resist abuse, and they have the capability of supporting their cause and visions of life. Despite the freedom that comes with financial security, men will still lay a claim over their lives, and try to influence them. However, career development leads to a better livelihood and shelter. It is wrong to assume that because of poor financial abilities of women, majority of them are homeless. This assumption is wrong, because the current global trend indicates that not only single people are homeless, but there are homeless families. The principle cause of homelessness is poverty, and lack of better housing facility (Fisanick, 27). Poverty arises out of inefficient policies of the state, and a downward trend of an economy. A decrease in wages and inappropriate changes in the welfare programs run by the government affect the capability of women to raise enough money for rental residence (Chickering, 32). Factors such as domestic violence, shortage of housing alternatives, and unstable employment conditions affect the capability of women to reside under a shelter. Basing on this, it is not the poor financial abilities of women that contribute to their homelessness. Economic Benefits of A Career It is possible to reduce such inequalities when women go to work, however employment alone does not address the issue of financial inequality among women and men. This is because some organizations enact a remuneration policy whereby they reward the productivity of an individual (Peiperl, 54). This leads to polarization of income, and in most cases it is to the benefit of men. There are discriminative tendencies in regard to the employment of women, and their remuneration. To correct this, the government must enact policies that remove discriminative practices in as much recruitment and remuneration of women is concerned (Anderson, 29). It is legitimate, and ethical to reduce the inequalities in pay amongst men and women. To reduce this inequality therefore, it is essential for women and men to pay the same level of remuneration and benefits for the same work they do (McCourt, 22). There is need to consider the kind of work women perform, for purposes of addressing this inequality. Good jobs come with good education, and it is important to educate them for purposes of getting skills that will help them acquire gainful employment. However, men usually have an upper hand, and it is important to address this situation through the policy of affirmative action (Walsh, 26). Affirmative action refers to a policy where the minorities have an upper hand in accessing the resources of the state. This is an effective way of reducing inequality among men and women (McCourt, 16). It also reduces financial slavery among women, by increasing their financial freedom. It is possible to reduce financial slavery by giving women jobs and business opportunities. Having jobs, make a woman to have the ability to feed herself and her family. She will get money to buy food, clothes, and even to pay rental income. In regard to this, employment gives them an opportunity to rely on themselves, breaking the yoke of financial slavery (Anderson, 31). Career development increases the standard of living among women. Women without jobs risk living the life of poverty. This is because she doesn’t have any source of income, and therefore unable to afford the basic needs of life, such as food, shelter and clothing (Bratter, 31). Statistics indicate that majority of women who are unemployed, form the bulk of the homeless poor. These people are unable to afford rent, therefore live on the streets. Their health condition is also worse as compared to the health status of women with jobs (Peiperl, 18). This is because they are unable to afford medical treatment, and care. The woman also faces social problems such as vulnerability to theft, and prostitution for purposes of searching for income. This situation arises when she has no option of getting employment to sustain her life. This behavior also comes about when she is idle, a consequence of joblessness (Walsh, 36). This state makes her vulnerable to social vices such as drug abuse, and prostitution. Unemployment also causes mental and emotional problems to women. Because they lack sources of income, they are under pressure to sustain themselves, and they can get depression (Fisanick, 19). Depression is a serious mental issue, that if left unchecked, its end result is death. Unemployment results to the exploitation of the woman in question. Because the woman is desperate for a source of income, she can take any work, for a lower pay. She also faces stigma and isolation from her peers, and exploitation from the husband, or men living with her (Bratter, 26). This is because she does not have any element of financial freedom, which results to social security. Psychological Benefit of a Career It is possible that unemployment can result to a poor mental condition of an individual. The variances on the effect of unemployment among women lie on the various roles they play in the society, and their needs in relation to taking care of the family. Unemployment brings about emotion instability, resulting to depression and stress (Anderson, 27). To mitigate this, it is essential to provide equal opportunities to women and men, in regard to employment. Research proves that employment minimizes the risk of mental instability, not only among women, but also among men (Ihejirika, 41). The effect of employment upon a woman causes a sense of job security. The woman is assured of the future, and the anxiety arising out of job insecurity is not there. Basing on this, the woman is under stable state of mind (Walsh, 43). Employment produces the effect of increasing a person’s standard of living. This in turn improves the health condition of the woman, improving her physical and mental health. Unemployment affects these conditions in a negative manner. The mental health of a woman deteriorates, basing on the period of unemployment, the household expectations, and the employment benefits available. Basing on this argument, employment causes mental stability on the mind of the woman. Career growth can increase the self-esteem of a woman (Anderson, 13). A career advances the social status of women in the society, because it comes with financial stability. The status achieved enables them to associate themselves with their peers, and it also creates a sense of social security (Ihejirika,, 59). This is because they can take care of themselves, and are not reliant on men, for support. However, career alone cannot increase the self-esteem of a woman. She needs to have a good mind-set, that will view everything around her as positive, and if she experiences challenges, she has to find a way of overcoming them (Fisanick, 22). Career growth can lead women lead an independent life. Career growth can lead to an independent life. This is because women, can achieve a higher occupational job that comes with good financial security (Walsh, 13). These occupations can train women on how to make independent decisions, this is mostly in regard to the job they do. They can apply these skills in their social and family life, leading an independent life, free from the influence of the men around themselves. Conclusion Paragraph In conclusion, a career development among women is important for their social, economic and psychological development (Chickering, 61). Socially, the self-esteem of women will grow, and they will be capable of protecting themselves. Women can determine their cause of life, and resist any form of manipulation from men. This is because of a sense of financial independence. Economically, women will be able to free themselves from financial slavery (Anderson, 31). The aspect of financially depending on their relatives will come to an end. They will afford to carter for their basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. They will also be able to carter for their secondary needs, such as entertainment, and other luxuries. Career growth stabilizes the mental mind of women (Walsh, 23). A career improves the physical and mental health of a woman. This is because she can afford medical care, and the uncertainties that come without a source of income are put to rest (Bratter, 9). They should avoid clashes between their professional and personal life. A career growth can result to clashes between their professional life, and personal life. To avoid these clashes, a woman needs to balance between her career, and personal life. She must not neglect her family at the expense of her job (Fisanick, 32). A neglecting a family can result to a divorce, from the husband. This is due to inadequate time of bonding, and neglect. Children are also likely to suffer, because of the limited presence of their mother. Works Cited Anderson, Sandy. Women in career & life transitions. Indianapolis, IN: JIST, 2000. Print. Bratter, Bernice, and Helen Dennis. Project renewment: the first retirement model for career women. Scribner: New York, NY, 2008. Print. Chickering, A. Lawrence, and Mohamed Salahdine. (1991) The Silent revolution: the informal sector in five Asian and Near Eastern countries. San Francisco, Calif.: ICS Press ; Print. Fisanick, Christina. Working women. Detroit: Thomson / Gale, 2008. Print. Ihejirika, Philomina E.. Negotiating power and privilege: Igbo career women in contemporary Nigeria. Athens [Ohio: Center for International Studies, Ohio University, 2004. Print. McCourt, Willy. (2006) The human factor in governance: managing public employees in Africa and Asia. Basingstoke [England: Palgrave Macmillan, Print. Peiperl, Maury. Career frontiers new conceptions of working lives. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print. Walsh, W. Bruce, and Mary J. Heppner. Handbook of career counseling for women. 2nd ed. Mahwah, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum, 2006. Print. Top of Form Bottom of Form Read More