Essay Sample on U.S. Gender Discrimination: Unjust Inequality Impeding Peace & Development

Introduction

The United States has, over a long period, faced the vice of gender discrimination in various fields. It refers to the unequal distribution of human, economic, psychological, material, and immaterial rights amongst the citizens of a country. Human rights bill across the world stipulates that all people should be treated equally regardless of their gender, race, origin, or whichever differences. Equality fosters peace, development, harmony, and acceptance of all in a community, inequality, on the other hand, is disastrous to the fundamentals of life.

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Economic Gender Inequality

Synopsis

Despite being the world's leading economy, the United States (U.S) still struggles with economic inequality, especially among women. Several complaints reported annually of women being discriminated against when it comes to employment, career development, and payment matters (Li Song, 2019). Statistics state that women in the U.S make up more than forty-six percent of total labor in the country, yet still, they hold fewer positions than men. Besides, the income gap between men and women in the U.S is worrying with statistics reporting over a twenty-one percent gap in income despite serving the same jobs (Gramlich, 2017).

Historical Context

Previous events that have led to the rise of this issue include, among others, the recent retail jobs retrenchment of October 2016 to October 2017, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retail jobs were reduced by 54,300. It impacted women more negatively than it did men. It saw women lose 160,000 jobs, whereas 106,000 jobs were created for men (Li Song, 2019).

Moreover, history reveals that the gap between women and men's income is unbalanced. A report by U.S Census Bureau indicated that for many years a twenty-one percent difference between men's and women's income has been persistent, in 2007 being at twenty-three percent and in 2016 at nineteen point five percent (Li Song, 2019). A decrease in this trend seems unachievable despite the many years elapsed.

Objective Review

Employment and occupational gender segregation have, over time, spear-headed economic gender discrimination in the U.S as argued by women. White-collar jobs and high-tech jobs are almost entirely taken by men, with women being left to scramble for middle and low-end jobs in the market, greatly being secretarial jobs. Women also express their concerns when it comes to pregnancy and maternity issues concerning their jobs. Many argue that in the U.S, pregnant mothers and new mothers are forced to leave their jobs despite the presence of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), which should protect them from such violations. Last but not least, women in the U.S argue that career development is greatly biased against them compared to men. Development opportunities offered to men are not equally given to them, making competition against men virtually impossible.

Men, on the other hand, argue that women only seek to be favored over them in an environment where competition should be meritocratic and not gender-based. Men argue that their top held positions were genuinely acquired through hard work and not just handed to them as acclaimed by women. Men point out that most women lack professional qualifications required to hold top job positions, yet still, they complain over unequal job distribution. Men point to the fact that women ask for more than can be given favors during maternity leaves and pregnancy periods at work as such women ask to be treated extra special over and above the provided favors in the law, which is unprofessional. Career development opportunities are competitive, and as such, all employees should live up to the required expectations than wait to be handed such opportunities.

Resolutions

I believe the government of the United States should come up with a comprehensive well-documented policy that addresses the issue of economic gender inequality from its roots. This policy should seek to bring balance to employment and payment opportunities between women and men (McBride & Parry, 2016). The ratio of women to men employment opportunities should be relative to the population of women and men in the country to strike a balance and harmony.

The government should also set clear guidelines for the procedures of promotions, career development, and payment limits concerning jobs that would govern all employees across the country. It would ensure equality among all employees despite their differences.

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in Workplaces

Synopsis

Sexual harassment and assault entail violating a person sexually without their consent or forcing them into having a sexual relationship with you besides their will. Both men and women can be victims of sexual harassment and assault (Smilowitz, 2017). Most victims of this vice suffer silently as the fear of stigmatization and retaliation supersede their desire for justice (Gramlich, 2017).

Historical Context

In the United States, sexual harassment at workplaces has been witnessed over the years. Women have been reported to be victims of this than men. Nearly sixty percent of women have been exposed to various forms of sexual harassment within their workspaces (Li Song, 2019). A website, USA Today, reported that in the entertainment industry in the U.S, sexual assault and harassment are systemic problems that are almost unavoidable (Rothenberg & Munshi, 2016). Another industry-wide survey revealed that ninety-four percent of female respondents were victims in one way or another.

Objective Review

Women in the U.S are constant victims, attributing this to the widespread societal problems propagated by men. Women feel demeaned, and their dignity degraded whenever they are forced to sexually pay for services that are otherwise meant to be acquired in more dignified means. Women accuse men of moral degradation at workplaces.

Men, on the other hand, feel that: women themselves fuel such acts later termed as sexual harassment and assault on women. Men blame women for indecorum at workplaces, sexually alluring them only to abort the train halfway, making men use force in some cases. Men also blame women for asking for undeserved favors with promises of sexual satisfaction as payment, only to later report that they were assaulted. Men largely attribute to eighty percent of reported cases of sexual harassment and assault by women to indecent dressing and improper exposure of their bodies. Men say they are merely responding to their biological nature that is unavoidable.

Resolutions

To duly handle this issue of sexual harassment and assault, I propose that the government of the United States passes an act to forbid all forms of indecent dressing at workplaces and also pass strict repercussions to perpetrators caught victimizing others. Besides, the government should initiate free bodies and organizations to handle these matters. Free from any external interference or government intervention.

Moreover, I believe to adequately solve this menace, the personal and moral responsibility of each and everyone at workplaces should be upheld. Only this way can we sufficiently eradicate this vice.

References

Li Song, L. S. (2019, November 27). Gender Discrimination in the United States Hinders the Realization of Women's Rights. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2019-11/27/content_37525618.htm

Gramlich, J. (2017, December 28). Key findings on gender equality and discrimination in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/12/28/10-things-we-learned-about-gender-issues-in-the-u-s-in-2017/

Rothenberg, P. S., & Munshi, S. (2016). Race, class, and gender in the United States: an integrated study. New York: Worth Publishers/Macmillan Learning.

McBride, D. E., & Parry, J. A. (2016). Women's rights in the USA: policy debates and gender roles. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Smilowitz, A. (2017, December 7). For U.S. Women, Inequality Takes Many Forms. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/for-us-women-inequality-takes-many-forms_b_7064348