Essay Sample on the Glass Ceiling: Can It Be Broken?

Introduction

Glass Ceilings is a term that describes a barrier that certain groups of people cannot seem to surpass. It restricts them from advancing further due to certain uncontrollable factors. They can look through the "glass" to those who were able to advance, but they cannot climb the corporate ladder. This phenomenon can occur in different types of settings. For example, in the workplace or business and even on a grander scale like our government. It is important to note that it affects women, people of color, and what the nomination of a female president could mean for the breaking through of glass ceilings that imposed on these minorities, whether it be negative or positive.

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The presence of these glass ceilings in whichever setting they present themselves have a substantial effect on women, people of color and members of certain religious groups. These particular types of people are affected the most due to social subordination. Women get viewed as less qualified, not because they lack the ability to fulfill higher-ranking positions but merely because they are a minority. Several factors contribute to this phenomenon. Women and people of color are typically put in staff and support jobs but never jobs that give them the opportunity to advance very far. It is because the people in positions of power, who are typically not a minority, tend to hire people who remind them of themselves for higher ranks ("Feminist Majority"). Out of America's biggest 500 companies, only 4.2% of them have a female Ceo at the helm (Zarya). Sexual harassment in the workplace has become very common. According to the International Labor Organization, "sexual harassment is a clear form of gender discrimination based on sex, a manifestation of unequal power relations between men and women." ("Workplace Sexual Harassment") These factors have contributed to what is known as the pay wage gap. This term implies that women get paid less than a man would for the same job. Women are paid an average of 79 cents to every one dollar a man is paid (Hill). Racism is alive in the workplace as well. A UK study done with over 24,000 employees from ethnic and white backgrounds reports that over 30% of them experienced some type of racism from their bosses in the last year alone. All of this presents the issue at hand, glass ceilings and due to these factors, minorities cannot progress forward.

Using Hillary Clinton, this election year can decide how much further the glass ceiling can get broken. It all started when Hillary got announced as the first female presidential nominee of a major political party. During her speech, she said, "What an incredible honor that you have given me, and I can't believe we just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet." This landmark event has changed the game of who can lead a major political party and potentially lead an entire nation. Hillary ended her speech with, "if there are any little girls out there who stayed up late to watch, let me say I may become the first woman President. But one of you is next." Clinton believes that if she is nominated presidency, then she might be the first woman but she will not be the last. She could set a completely new standard of who can be president (Collinson). It could lead to the removal of "old-boy networking" found in business but government as well. This term refers to the culmination of men in the business world who get connected through old school acquaintances, business affairs and so on. Typically these tight-knit groups unconsciously make it very difficult for minorities to join since they do not have the prior connections needed ("Empowering"). There has yet to be a female president, making the government a hostile area for advancing women. If Hillary was nominated, potentially this could make it much more normal for women to regularly participate in government within more powerful positions. If elected, Hillary claimed that she would fight for women's rights. As a woman, she has had first-hand experience of the glass ceiling effect. She claims that she will fight to close the pay wage gap and fight for paid leave so that women do not have to choose between their job and to have a family. These two things could help many women in the professional business world ("Women's rights and opportunity"). The nomination of Hillary for president has the potential to pave the path for women to become more involved in government.

Hillary Clinton as president has the potential to have a negative effect on women as well. Hillary has been around politics and the white house for most of her life. As a former first lady, it can get argued that she has been "grandfathered into place, in a sense, by her husband's connections and career" (Mitchell). Clinton could end up utilizing an "old-boy network" to be where she is at, which might send the message that she could not surpass the glass ceiling by herself but instead had to get there through her husband. There is also a lot of pressure on Hillary to be a good first female president. Anything wrong done on her part could turn the nation against the idea of ever having another female president and make it much more difficult for women in government. Instead of cracking the glass ceiling, Hillary could reinforce it more. When Obama got elected as the first African American president, people expected a complete revolution. However, in 2008 there were 42 African Americans in the house and senate. Eight years later and this number has only increased by six in total. (Smith) Obama's presidency had the adverse effect of what was expected to happen. It seems like "some black people unfriended white America during Obama's presidency," and during his time in the white house, America got segregated even more than before. According to a New York Times/CNN news poll, before Obama's election, "60% of blacks said race relations were generally bad" and now eight years later, that percentage has increased to 68% (Blake). This same type of thing could potentially happen to women if Hillary wins the election. Instead of uniting women and men, a bigger wedge could get placed between them much like what occurred between whites and blacks during Obama's terms. Also, her potential election If elected as president, Hillary could potentially make matters worse and not break through the glass ceiling as intentioned.

Conclusion

Glass ceilings are a genuine thing that affects minorities such as women and people of color. It limits them from advancing further in their professional careers and even in our government. It's important to note what it could mean to have our first female president in office if Hillary Clinton is elected this election cycle, what positive, adverse outcomes can come out of it, and how it will affect these minorities.