Gender and Race Discrimination - Essay Example

Gender and Race Discrimination Genderism Gender and race discrimination was a part of our society since ages, and even the reformed sophisticated social structure cannot ignore sexism and racism completely. The gender based discrimination has developed even before racism and the latter started emerging when different people from all over the globe met. Sexism is stronger than racism as women were disregarded in many of the male dominated profession. Women, due to their child bearing attribute could demand less in the matter of profession.

According to (Webber 15-36) “Mothers work fewer paid hours than fathers do. This gender gap is especially large when young children are in the household”. Men have been seeing women rearing children for long time and this advanced to become their social role and identity. Sexism is a global issue, and women should not be considered unequal solely because of an aspect bestowed to them by nature. Women should be on equal platform with men, as they exhibit equal intelligence, preservance, education and hard working quality like men.

Women fitted into many job positions just like men, but when men were put into women’s position less could be expected. As per (Williams 487-502) “Here, the primary function of the male parent was to show young men how the male fitted into family life in a positive fashion”. Here we can observe that women are more capable than men in many fields, yet she gets less than what she deserves. Nevertheless, sexism has become such a part of our society it has become difficult eradicate it in coming years Racism Like genderism, racism also was prevalent throughout human history.

Racism is a belief in human beings that, one person is superior to another due to the color of the skin and other physical attributes. For e.g., White people considered Blacks and brown people to be inferior because of their dark skin. People hate each other on the basis of color variation and consider dark people less than human. Even in families and at home, people of different races act and interact differently. The people in different races reflected their culture and status with the use of their social stratification.

According to (Lareau, 747-76 ) “ An ethnographic data set of white children and black children approximately 10 years old shows the effects of social class on interactions inside the home”. Racism was more visible in 19th century, when Africans and Asians were tortured and degraded because of the color of the skin and physical attributes. The visible discrimination existed in employment scenario, where blacks were treated as “slaves” and white superior employer. In 20th century when the employment were based on white collar job, Blacks and Asians were still treated as less superior .

On arrival for job interviews, Blacks and Asians were insulted on the basis of color which is bind racism. In his journal ( Bonilla 555-77) mentions that “ Although racism often involves prejudice, antipathy, and irrationality, most researchers now concede that it has a material and, therefore, rational foundation”. When we mean material; it is the advantages a white person gets due to the white color of their skin .Material advantages are job, respect in the society, more comfortable living environment and so on.

Genderism and Racism in today ‘ world In the past, women were assigned part time or temporary job, because it was established that their primary duty was family and house bound .Normally, single women used to leave job due to pregnancy, while on occupation. Moreover women were thought to be less capable in job due to their weak emotional, mental and physical power. Due to all these factors, women were not offered job and had to remain home. In West, motherhood is an important place to fill in and requires great assistance from a women’s part.

(May, 471-82 )“In Western countries, motherhood are part of a powerful nuclear family ideology that permeates all of society and is defined and delineated by strong social norms”. Even today many firms hesitate to hire female employees in order to save time, energy and employment complications. However, racism in the world is so strong since ages, it is deep rooted. This concept is especially strong in western world like America and Britain, and,to eradicate this is not a simple task. In the west, Blacks are considered inferior and animal like and cannot interact with white at any field.

Even now, many whites look at black Americans with a hateful eye, and do not appreciate them in noted employment positions. Racism is a political issue which needs more awareness among public. Awareness can bring more understanding in appreciating human rights and freedom on a universal ground. Even though the laws are strict towards prejudice based on color and race, people find it difficult to accept Blacks on the same level as them. References Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo. "''I Did Not Get that Job Because of a Black Man.

": The Story Lines and Testimonies of Color-Blind Racism." Springer Science 19.4 Dec. (2004): 555-77. Print. LAREAU, ANNETTE. "INVISIBLE INEQUALITY: SOCIAL CLASS AND CHILDREARING IN BLACK FAMILIES AND WHITE FAMILIES." AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL REVIEW 67 (2002): 747-76. Print. May, Vanessa. "On Being a `Good' Mother : The Moral Presentation of Self in Written Life Stories." Sage Publications 42.313 June (2008): 471-82. Print. Webber, Gretchen. "Part-Time Work and the Gender Division of Labor." Springer Science 31 (2008): 15-36. Print. Williams, Stephen.

"What is Fatherhood? : Searching for the Reflexive Father." Sage Publications 42.3 (2008): 487-502. Print.