Gender Inequality Ch Section 3

Biological Determinism –Major threat of making one “sex” inferior Sexism –A set of attitudes, beliefs, norms, and values used to justify sexual inequality Sexist Ideology –The belief that men are naturally superior to women –Used to justify a man’s leadership in high ranking positions Women as a Minority Group

Some segments of American society have more positive attitudes about women –The gender gap IS shrinking in the USA What’s the Big Deal? In 1999, Carly Fiorina became the first female CEO of one of the top companies listed in the Dow Jones Industrial Avg. She resigned from HP in 2005

Sexism is still a major hurdle for equality in this country and the rest of the world What’s the Big Deal?

Women in the Workplace Women tend to be concentrated in the lower-status positions –This is known as Occupational Sex Segregation “Pink Collar Jobs” –Secretaries –Clerks –Stenographers } Jobs mostly held by women

Only 10 % of engineers are women Only 27% of attorney positions are held by women 2007: Women in the Workplace $0.77 $1.00

Women in the Workplace