Women at Workplace and Society - Essay Example

?WOMEN AT WORKPLACE AND SOCIETY Introduction The article "Women, Money, and Power" by Mundy as well as the article "The Truth About Men, Women, and Work" by Foroohar reflect the prejudiced condition of women at workplace. The articles are directed towards higher rate of unemployment among women, discrimination practiced at workplaces against women and changing trends of workplace participation and family responsibilities. Besides, it also focuses on changing trends in condition of women in US and changing social norms of dependency and family support. In US, more and more families are now dependent on their female members for subsistence (Mundy). While it is a fact that women are more roped in for temporary jobs and comparative less high- profile jobs, but the women have more independency to take decisions like delaying of marriage, adoption of children, investment in education, unplanned pregnancy, etc. This implies a wave of change in a patriarchal society (Foroohar). While Foroohar states that women are victims of discrimination at work, Linda argues that women in US are fast acquiring the role played by men. They are becoming co- breadwinners and have equal say in domestic decisions. In this regard, women have certainly become equals of men. But this trend raises the question of men becoming inferior and resultant imbalance of dependency and sustainability in society (Foroohar). Evolutionary psychologies are of the view that modern society is going through the contradictory forces of Marxism and Darwinism. By dint of higher education, financial independence and power, women are now changing the social aspects that were generally associated with feminism. Social values instilled in newer generations are also changing as male family members are stepping in to raise children and perform household chores. However, the article by Foroohar insists that during the last decade more women were unsatisfied with lesser pays and rigorous work pressures and have opted to stay back at home, leaving the duty of earning to male members of family (Mundy). Labor, especially the office jobs involving both mental and physical labor are allocated more to men. In recent years more men acquired permanent jobs in higher- risk jobs in both professional and business fields. The picture is similar in both public and private sectors all over US. Participation rate among women is considerably lower than what had been promised by Obama administration. But in numerous families women are playing the role of male members, providing and supporting the family (Mundy). Thus, this phenomenon indicates a sense of competition between the genders. According to Foroohar, women’s productivity is restricted only to certain industries like “health, leisure and hospitality”, and also in temporary helps and private education. The fact that men are always privileged than women at workplaces reflects existence of gender disparity, irrespective of type and extension of organizations in US. Thus, the organizations and institutions as well as workplace cultures also contribute to the present situation. It has been observed that social status, position and power are more sought by working class people. These form the elements of macro perspective since they deal with society as functional whole and not individual entities (Foroohar). The trend further depicts the changing ‘role-choice’ behaviors within societies. The pattern of stress management, time management, “fluidity of social interaction, self- direction, and human agency inherent in the symbolic capabilities of human beings”, etc. has assumed newer forms with women taking over roles played my men. These signify a modification of sub-cultural aspects and standards of conduct, which are accepted by each and every section of society, irrespective of age, class, culture, religion, caste, socio- economic stature and race. Indeed, it is worth noticing that the need of subsistence has grown so great due to economic depression of recent years that it had compelled different cultures to accept the modification at once (Mundy). The social actions fit in the theory of social construction of reality because the changing positions and significance of women have affected the pattern of interaction, life experience of individuals within society and prototype of raising future generations. When viewed from sociological standpoint, the new social trend finds relevance in the traditional theory of interactionism. According to this theory, communication is the basis of every social relation and forms the reciprocal influence which, in turn arise from action of individuals within a society. This makes social life of individuals a dynamic process. This theory finds relevance to the changing social trends in US because of the constant process of ‘creation and recreation’ functioning within a society. All women, considered as an individual identity are taking the responsibility of ensuring smooth flow social processes (Foroohar). More aggressiveness and participation on part of women have redefined the relations held by people and has subsequently affected their actions, as reaction is primarily based on how people take each other into account (Mundy). Planning of research Research could be conducted about the changing social position of women in context of US family life. Women, who were in charge for binding a family with love, affection and nurturing, have developed the tendency to step outside. This is a significant change in terms of adjustment within a household as well as the popular social culture. This change could be researched. Furthermore, research could be done about social solidarity and individual behavior, i.e., mindset of future generations who are guided and nurtured more by male members of families. Thus, relevant data could be collected regarding lifestyle, nature of work of female family members, responsibility of children, etc. Analysis and interpretation would bring out the modern social practices in US societies. The inferences could then be related with different sociological theories before drawing the final conclusion and stating researcher’s own take on the subject. Future research Role of women from micro perspective could be researched in future. Also, extensive research could be conducted about relation between women employees and organizations. This would help in understanding the attitude and level of commitment women have towards their organizations at modern times. Research could also be done about family management strategies of working women. Research in these aspects would result in better understanding of the effects of shift of power and authority within a society. Data collection Data could be collected by collecting payrolls from organizations. Large, medium and small scale industries could be accounted for this. Information thus collected would reveal level of participation of womenfolk and their efficiency in respective fields. Information could also be collected by selecting some particular localities in different districts and visiting every house. Data about family members, source of income, relations, education, etc could be further analyzed and interpreted. Conclusion On a final note it can be said that women are altering the accepted social norms and establishing a new world order. Women in high- end jobs and also in complete charge of family is becoming order of the day in present times. Though women are prejudiced in some cases and are left inferior to their male counterparts, their spirit could not be held back. Thus, women have successfully claimed equality in social stature, position and resource mobilization. However it is apprehended that by their extravagant expenditures successful women could change the economic functions of a society. Also it is a matter of concern that still in US itself women are being hired for lower wages, as subordinates to male supervisors in spite of women having equal skills and expertise. These features find relevance in ‘interactionism’ theory of sociology. A research work conducted pertaining this subject would be immensely helpful in tracing the changes trends within society. References Foroohar, Rana. "The Truth About Men, Women, and Work." Time Magazine. 12 May. 2012, Web. 13 May. 2013. Read More