Economics of Race and Gender - Assignment Example

Full Economic of Race and Gender Freedom Crash and Rosie the Riveter all speak of prejudice towards gender and race which worsens to acting out the feelings to being discriminatory. Color has long been a problem to many Americans with the perception that one is better than the other because the color of their skin. It is interesting to note, though, that it is not only the fairer skinned person who is the one discriminating the darker skinned one but could be otherwise. In Crash, the portrayal of a black young man having complaints of white people’s services and reactions to black people poses an equally discriminatory attitude. Freedom Writers also presents similar problems on the issue of skin color. In the two movies, the effects of racial discrimination turns out violently as the characters try to express their rights, but sadly, not in a desirable and productive way. Rosie the Riveter on the other hand does not only project the inequality in race but in gender as well. While white women are more favored than the black Americans when it comes to employment as well as with their pay, they are not at all able to be equally treated as the men. While the quality of their work is not put in question, whether black or white women, yet they are paid lower than the men. I wonder if we are all white, who would we discriminate? The woman? What about if we were all white men? I guess we would still find someone to discriminate. For me, these all boils down to attitude. It is a joy for this class to have enlightened our minds on these prejudices that exist even these days. Fighting for equal rights, white or black, men or women, is worth the endeavor as there are changes that have come because of the efforts of those who refused to back down and accept the fate their color or gender has brought upon them. This enlightenment should help at least those who have taken the class to consider others not because of their color or gender but to treat everyone fairly. When it comes to employment, qualifications should be the basis and not color or gender and so with other things. To those who come to experience discrimination, it would be note worthy that fighting for one’s rights is worth the risk. #2 In the United States which is known by most to be a place where dreams come true, it is difficult to imagine how it has come to a point of discrimination where those who once were full of hope before coming to the country have those dreams come crashing down because of their race. It could be so easy drafting one’s dreams but can be devastating when the realization comes that it is difficult to actualize them because of factors like race, gender and economic status. Education is one effect of economic status of a person that could take a full turn to his economic and political access. For instance, a poor man who is not able to go to school can not have a good job because he would be unqualified in most of the high paying jobs, thus leaves him to choose difficult and usually low paying jobs. #3 In most countries, gender role is the most prominent factor for predominantly male or females jobs like the perception that men are out to do the hard work while women are left at home to do the feminine ones like sewing, cooking and bathing babies. Culture also affects this situation in a similar way where men are viewed as effeminate when they do household chores. Ability could also be a factor where men are more able to carry heavy loads; women are not entertained in the workforce. Along with this, safety measures are also considered when women are more prone to accidents because of their fragile built. In some cases like midwifery, women are preferred as they are able to empathize with the mother as well as preserve her dignity being exposed to other people. #4 Comparing then and now, I can say that affirmative action is well supported in the United States as we see the rights of women comparatively equal to those of men. In addition, though there is still a milestone to cover in this endeavor, other races are competing with All-Americans in politics as well as other fields. I am inclined to disagree that affirmative action is losing favor in this country because the evidences I see are speaking for the nation. It could be true that there still exists prejudice and discrimination in America and that the racists sometimes are even put into power, affecting affirmative action at present and in the future but then again, discrimination might be just one of those which are difficult to kill unless we have all our brains programmed to see beyond the color and gender. #6 Full employment could be rational factors for a woman who earns more than her husband to specialize in housework because this economic condition gives ample money for the family. Similarly, prosperity can give the woman the peace of mind letting her husband go to work while she stays at home. On the other hand, it would still be rational for the woman to give the man the chance to work and choose housework during recession because adding up all the work she can do instead of getting helpers, it would be far beneficial for the children for the woman to be home. The same would be true during an economic softness when the economy is on a downward hill. #7 Women in all races these days are eager to increase their participation in the labor market because of their desire to participate in the economy. Women have found that they have potentials that are not meant to be bound in the four corners of the house but are sometimes more effective in the labor market than men that they want to get the most of what they can contribute. With this desire to achieve, women nowadays are also getting themselves educated to be competitive not only among women but with men as well. Education indeed helps a lot when it comes to employment as most qualifications are based on one’s education. It is a valuable asset not only to the women but to the men as well. In our modern world, gender and race are slowly being accepted in the labor market so that anyone, male or female, white or black, has all the chances of getting an education which is the key to competitively get a job especially to the women. For most women, their fight for their rights to participate in the labor market is a fulfillment to themselves so that they are more determined to become a part in this enterprise. Self satisfaction is achieved knowing that they are a part of a good cause, not only for their present generation but for generations to come as well. With the new found confidence, women also experience economic freedom as they work and have their own salary. They want to have the feeling of independence from their husbands that in this assertion of their ability to take care of themselves, they are more respected not only by their husbands but by themselves as well. Financial security comes along with this economic freedom as women have the chance to save for themselves from their own money. Probably, it is not at all about money, but the more important and the strongest factor that drives women to getting themselves involved in the economic fight is the feeling of belongingness. One would sure feel to be a part of the society when she knows she has done an equally great task those men of long ago considered their domain. Reference Blau, Francine D, Marianne A. Ferber and Anne E. Winkler. 2009. The Economics of Women, Men and Work (6th Edition). United States: Prentice Hall. Print. Read More