Critical Analysis of Contemporary Issues



Critical Analysis of Contemporary Issues

Introduction

In the modernized world of today, there are still many problems that have to be faced by women due to gender discrimination. The treatment that women get is a clear reflection of gender inequality. The first and foremost thing is to differentiate between sex and gender. Sex refers to the biological features that differentiate males and females. These characteristics include the primary organs related to reproduction, known as the sex organs and the secondary physical differences which are not linked to reproduction (Henslin, 2007).

An article published in the Bloomsberg Businessweek, titled, “Wage Gap for U.S. Women Endures Even as Jobs Increase”, the consequences that gender inequality brings are clearly highlighted (Businessweek, 2012). The article contains news that even though the number of women working full-time has risen significantly in the United States, their pay scales have not increased. The recent recession proved to be the worst one in seven decades, and the number of males working shrank to a great extent. Yet this did not have any effect on the increase in wages of women, compared to their male counterparts. Many factors can explain the prevailing state of gender discrimination against women (Businessweek, 2012).

Gender Inequality in the United States

The struggle for acquiring women's rights had been going for a long time before these rights were finally achieved. It was not easy to convince the male dominant society to give women the rights that they deserve. Previously, women did not have the rights to vote, could not own any property, and could not become a serving member in the jury in the United States. The male dominant society was very resistant to rewarding right of women, and used social institutions to a great extent to exercise their control and maintain their position (Henslin, 2007). The view of feminism was met with great repression. This view ascertains that destination cannot be decided by biological factors and gender stratification should be opposed because it is wrong.

The first movement initiated by women had an essential branch which was aimed at transforming all the social institutions, in order to achieve equality for women. It also had a conservative branch which was responsible for gathering votes and support for women. Clear domination was exerted by the conservation branch, and this movement faded later on after attaining the rights to vote (Henslin, 2007).

The second movement by women started in the 1960s. It focused on reforming policies on violence against women, so that women could get more rights and the accused could get proper punishment. Its focus was also placed on changing work roles of women. The end of these movements resulted in women having more right now, but gender inequality still prevails in today's society (Henslin, 2007).

According to the article, American Community Survey of 2009-11 reports that the ratio of women's earning was only 79 cents to every 1 dollar earned by men. This survey is a poll conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, and involved 9 million ...