Womens Career vs. Marriage - Literature review Example

Women’s Career vs. Marriage: The traditional set up defined the roles of women in the society. Women were discriminated upon, and were only allowed to work within the family set up. The society saw them as house wives, and their role was to care for their husbands, children and the various members of the family. Men were to be providers, and protectors of their family set up.In the modern society, these norms have drastically changed. There is now an increase of women looking for power, and their appetite for advancing up on the social ladder. This is possible through the various government policies that advocate for equality among men and women in the administration of the resources under their possession. Employment creates financial, economic, and physical security. This is because employment comes with a salary, and therefore a sense of financial freedom. Women can use this money to advance their status in the society. This paper therefore takes a position that the number of women employed is increasing due to the social changes happening in the world. It explains that finding a balance between family life and professional career is difficult for many people, but it is essential for women to take a balance between their career and marriage because it is beneficial to them. The benefits are psychological, economic and social. Welsh (32) observes that a balancing a career and marriage is beneficial to woman on a social perspective.He further states that education, individual efforts of a woman, and the status of the family increases the chances of a woman gaining higher status in the social order (Welsh, 32).Bratter further argues that the policy of affirmative action, accelerates the momentum in which women advance in terms of their social status (45).He is of the opinion that women join the workforce, and through the hard work they employ, and the high level of their determination, they move to another social status, that is prestigious to the latter (Bratter, 47). The most notable among these, are the under privileged women, who came from poor backgrounds, and because of equal employment opportunities, they take the chances and utilize them to move from their pathetic social status, to a much better one. Walsh (41) argues that to reduce the gap between male and female, it is essential to create an environment that affords equal opportunity for the two genders in pursuing their careers. The traditional society discriminated against women, and defined their roles as sweepers, secretaries, and house wives (Walsh, 42). These norms made women to depend on their families, and marriage relationships as a conduit for higher social status.Fisanick (36) argues that career growth reduces the percentage of male domination over female.He further explains that the traditional society made men and women to carry out different duties (Fisanick, 41). Women were responsible for taking care of the children, and looking after the social and sexual welfare of their husband. To date, these functionalities are still the same, even though we live in a more liberalized world, where roles are speedily changing. Walsh (51) identifies the conceptions of the mindset as a factor that makes these traditional roles to exist. He argues that the roles of gender, as defined by tradition are deeply entrenched on the minds of men and women, that a lot of time is necessary to change such negative perceptions (Walsh, 54). The conception that men are frightened of career women in some communities is true. This is because women are viewed as weak, and a career woman changes the status quo, and threatens their dominion and authority. Financial freedom is an opportunity for the female to have a sense of social security.Financial security makes them enables them to protect themselves in case of an abuse from the male gender, giving them the ability of taking care of themselves, and the cause of their life and vision.In addition to this, career growth leads to the provision of good shelter, and a better life. Majority of women are not homeless because of their poor financial capabilities, this assumption is wrong and misguided. Fisanick (27) observes that the global trend proves that majority of the homeless people are people living with their families. According to Fisanick (32), poverty is the principle cause of homelessness. Other causes are inadequate housing facilities, changes in the government’s welfare programs, and exorbitant rental prices (Chickering, 32).Chickering (35) further observes that shortage of residential houses, unstable economic conditions, and domestic violence are contributors to the homelessness condition of women. Balancing of a career and marriage is beneficial to women economically. Career growth drastically reduces inequalities arising out of unemployment, but by itself, it is not sufficient to address this issue of inequality among the male and the female gender. The main reason to this is the remuneration policy that various organizations enact (Peiperl, 54). This policy leads to inequality of income, in some cases, for the same job that women and men do. To rectify this situation, governments must initiate policies that check on discriminative practices at work place organizations, and create mechanisms to ensure their implementation (Anderson, 29). By doing this, government institutions will practice ethical behavior, since the women will have equal opportunities, as their male counterparts in regard to economic issues (McCourt, 22). To address inequality, it is essential to review the kind of work women perform. Well paying, and luxurious jobs come with a high quality of education, and the women gender to compete effectively for these positions, it is essential to educate them. Welsh (26) observe that men have an advantage when it comes to seeking employment opportunities, even despite a superior quality of education upon a woman. McCourt (16) defines affirmative action as a policy which gives the minority an advantage, while in the process of accessing the resources that comes as an intervention of the state. Employment reduces financial and economic slavery among women. Women are able to work, and get money for serving their purposes instead of relying on their husbands and family members for financial support. To reduce financial slavery, it is essential to enact policies that will make it possible for the female gender to get employment opportunities. By doing this, they will have the ability to feed themselves, and their families. She will afford to pay rental expenditures, buy good clothes for herself and her children and feed on nutritious foods therefore improving her health.Anderson (31) believes that employment opportunities break the burden of financial dependence by increasing the living standards of women, and their social status. Bratter (31) observes that unemployed women risk living a poor life. The reasons to this lies on the fact that they do not have any source of income to sustain themselves, therefore lacking the basic necessities of life such as food, clothing and Shelter. Among the homeless poor, are the unemployed women, this is because of their incapability of affording rental prices. They live in poor health, as compared to employed women; this is because of a strain in their physical and mental health brought about by unemployment and poor living conditions. Anderson further observes these unemployed women are at prostitution, and drug trade, all in the purpose of looking for income.Fisanick (19) believes that unemployment is the root cause of emotional instability and psychological problems to women. He further asserts that depression can result to death, and is cause by emotional instability.Bratter (26) argues that unemployed women suffer from stigma, and this is because of the financial burden others associate her with. This is because she cannot take care of herself, due to lack of money. To be stable psychologically, it is essential for women to balance their career and marriage. Anderson (27) argues that the consequences of unemployment on women are as a result of the various functionalities they do in the society, and unemployment results to depression, stress and mental disorders. To prevent this from happening, it is wise to provide equal opportunities to the female and the male gender in relation to employment opportunities.Ihejirika (41) believes that a stable job reduces the risk women face in relation to their mental health. Anderson (13) explains that the development and growth of a career among the women enhances their self-esteem. Ihejirika (59) agrees with this notion, and states that career growth increases the social status of women, since it comes with financial and economic stability. They are able to acquire the basic needs, and do not rely on men for financial aid. Fisanick (22) argues that career alone does not increase the level of a woman’sself-esteem.There are other factors that play a role, such as a positive mindset, and governmental policies. Walsh (31) argues that career growth leads to an independent life. While at work, women are trained to rely on themselves, and having the ability to make independent choices and decisions. They can apply these skills in a social set up, and in their family. These will make them to be free from the influence of their senior family members, especially men and their husbands. To conclude, a career growth among women is beneficial for their psychological, economic and social well-being.Chickering (61) believes that women have the capability of determining the direction of their life, and resist any form of control from their male counterpart through career growth. Anderson believes on this notion, and he asserts that career growth bring financial independence (p.41). It reduces the dependency syndrome of women upon their husbands and family members since they can carter for their own food, shelter and clothing (Anderson, 51). Walsh (23) argues that career growth stabilizes the mental and emotional aspects of a woman. This is because it improves his physical and mental death due to an access to better food and medical care.Bratter (31) supports this notion, and asserts that career women are very concerned about their health, and they can do everything within their capability to ensure that they are healthy and acceptable to the society.Fisanick also believes that women should avoid conflicts emanating from their personal life and career growth (41).This is because, on most occasion career growth upon women, results to a conflict of interest between their personal lives, and professional life. To avoid a conflict of these interests, she must balance between her career and personal life. She must afford equal importance to both her career and her family (Fisanick, 33). If she doesn’t do this, she is vulnerable to a divorce, a cheating spouse, and unstable family set up. Children will develop psychological problems because of the absence of their mother, from home, and limited bonding between a mother and a child. 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, PhilominaE..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