Orozco1

Karina Orozco
Professor Makarosyan
English 114B
10 May 2015
Time for Change
Gender inequality has been diminishing throughout history and many significant
advancements towards equality between genders has taken place since the early 1900s as it has
been the goal of several major pieces of legislation. Gender inequality has been improving over
the years, not everyone in the United States has been supportive however some citizens simply
just dont take part within this movement. Even though the United States has been ranked the 2nd
best in gender equality out of 135 countries, economics, job opportunities, and how men and
woman are ranked in society has affected many men and women around the world and in the
United States till this very day.
As the years go by, the United States economy has had their ups and downs with the
economy but recently, the economy has been improving in this first world country. Even though
the U.S. offers many different job opportunities for both men and woman, there is still
speculation amongst woman about why they are getting paid less than men while doing the same
job and working the same hours. Woman will make an average of 16.4% less than men in the
work force. This explains and supports the fact that woman do make less than men on average in
the long tear of years (Kinias). It has become a custom over many generations that certain jobs
should be worked by ether a man or a woman. For example, men should work outside of home
and receive the pay check while woman attend the family at home receiving very little to no pay

Orozco2

in comparison to men. This is still practice in many counties all over the world but even though
the United States has given woman the opportunity to become successful in the work force and
education, gender inequality in economics is still to be fairly equalized. Not only have woman,
citizens of the United States complained over the years about this issue but many woman, like
Emma Watson, have started movements in order to equalize gender inequality in the work force
till this day.
Woman rights activist, Emma Watson sated, It is time that we all perceive gender on
a spectrum not as two opposing sets of ideals. I strongly agree with Watson due to the fact that
both men and woman have the power to equalize inequality within themselves by working
together. One gender cant make the change without the other gender being on the same page.
We both have to work together to make the change. If only one gender admits to change the other
has to be respectful and willing to except the mistakes they are committing. Not only has Watson
begun a campaign towards gender inequality as the ambassador, but she represents woman all
over the world fighting for the opportunity to be recognized as equal as men are. No matter what
their ethnicity, age, occupation, or education, all women are impacted by the gender wage gap.
Women will need to work more than 70 additional days each year to catch up to men. Age has
also a huge factor in determining how much they will each ear. With all these factors, men on
average will make more than woman proving that men will always make more than woman in
the work force.
Men have always seemed to be ranked above woman in society for many years. Men
have had a head start in society. Men have being allowed to start an education before woman
providing men with well-paying jobs. Throughout the years men have been successful
economically by becoming presidents, congressmen, part of the government, doctors, and the

Orozco3

voice and image of society. Woman in the other hand, had a late start in society around mid1800s being able to obtain an education, attend college, and get a degree in many fields
explained by Taylor in the article Gender & Development. Woman have been slowly catching
up to men in the U.S. society. In the early years of American history, women were discouraged
from pursuing higher education because it was considered unnatural for a woman to be educated.
Women who advanced their education were considered "unsexed." Over the last few centuries
women's positions and opportunities in the educational sphere have improved dramatically. Since
1982, more bachelors degrees have been earned in the United States by women than by men.
Women now also earn the majority of masters degrees and doctoral degrees in the U.S. To this
day, woman have become very successful and have been granted the opportunity to be part of the
government and also the opportunity to become presidents but whos granting the woman with
this opportunity? Men of course because they still tend to have the final say in todays society
making them highly ranked then woman. As woman are rising up to the plate society has learned
to adapt.
Furthermore, the socio-economic composition of women in employment, and the
formation of policies affecting gender relations has slowly been improving but it has not been an
issue that has been talked about greatly or has received much attention amongst the United
States society. The reason why men are rising above woman in employment is caused by
traditional point of views that immigrants have brought into practice to the United States.
Policies have supported men because they are seen stronger than woman making them capable of
doing any job there has to be done while woman are only given the opportunity to assist in jobs
that consist of ether taking care of paperwork like secretaries or taking care of injured men like
nurses. Woman arent taken seriously and are not trusted to take on important jobs. Woman are

Orozco4

equally capable to do any task they are given. Woman can work as hard as men do in any type of
job. It is time for men to truly let go of their ego and let woman have the same pay and respect
they deserve for working the same job as men. Woman are always criticized as not being able to
promote a good job because woman are emotionally incapable or too week for labor work but
truthfully, both man and woman have been granted the same capabilities physically to be able to
do the same jobs. Both men and woman working together equally will be the solution to be able
to create a better outcome economically to support their families and form a better society for the
upcoming generation.
In the book The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston, it gives us a better view and
understanding on how woman shouldnt always rely on a man to take care of a woman. Men are
intentionally absent throughout each chapter creating focus on how woman have affected
Kingston's life in a positive way. In most cases it describes how woman relate to the maledominated society around her. This supports my arguments on how women in this reading are
highly involved. Men should never devalue nor detain a woman. Throughout the reading
Kingston keeps reminding the readers that woman should never be afraid to stand up for
themselves and face life without the need for a man by their side. Men are absent in the reading
to demonstrate that woman have the power and ability to go on in life and become a voice that is
heard amongst all men. Men should respect and value the woman to be seen as equal. Kingston
does an excellent job in demonstrating how women have the ability to dominate society if only
given the chance.
As this gender equality issue seems to focus more on woman rights over men, we dont
seem to focus on how men are also being looked upon. This explains how one gender can
completely change societys views on the other gender. Woman are still being ranked lower than

Orozco5

men in society even though woman have come very far up since the early years, woman are still
being victimized and looked upon as week and not being able to conduct certain jobs. Despite
womens advancements, however, substantial inequalities remain. Although an increasing
number of women are either the sole breadwinner for their family or share the role with their
partners, women in the United States are paid only 77 cents for every dollar a man makes. The
pay gap is even larger for women of color. On average, African American women make 64 cents
for every dollar that white men make. While women make up only about one-third of the
workforce in 1969, women today make up almost half of all workers in the United States.
Women are also stepping up to lead the country; a record number of women ran for public office
in 2012, and a record-high percentage of women are serving in Congress. (Preiss). In addition
to making progress on issues of economics and leadership, women have made progress on health
issues, which impacted many woman across the nation.
There will always be a conflict between men and woman rights. Whether we all are equal
or only one gender obtains most of the power. Many activist have dedicated their time promoting
this social issue, but truthfully its up to society to make the change. Not many women got to
live out the daydream of women (Shamma 61). It is time to make the change within us to not
oppress and to unite as one. This world is meant for both female and male to better our society.
Not only will that solve social issues but single woman can work as hard as men to earn a living
to support themselves and their families. Woman have come a very long way and woman should
feel proud of the journey they have traveled without men as men should feel the same way about
all woman. Men allowing woman get involved in their corporations and businesses to be
employed and receive the same amount of pay as men for the same job would increase job
opportunity. This would end social issues, improve the economy and establish a strong work

Orozco6

force in this country. Many more benefit will be an outcome to increase opportunity and decrease
unemployment. United States citizens should unite as one to equalize gender inequality to better
the nation socially and to impact other countries around the world positively.

Orozco7

Work Cited
"Gender & Development." Taylor & Francis Online: Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
Hong Kingston, Maxine. "Shaman." The Woman Warrior. New York: Vintage International.
Print.
Kinias, Zoe. Cultural and Gender Inequality: Psychological Consequences of Perceiving Gender
Inequality. Web.15.2012
Preiss, Allison. The State of Women in America." Center for American Progress. Web.
Watson, Emma. "Emma Watson Woman's Right and Gender Equality in Focus." The Guardian.
Web.2015