Exam 3 Flashcards
monday 11/11 (15 cards)
What is the basic history of girls’ and women’s education in the United States?
Began with limited access, especially for women of color and lower classes. Education was primarily for white boys.
Education for women was often seen as less critical, with women viewed as a temporary labor force who would leave work upon marriage.
How have historic events influenced changes in education for girls and women?
Industrialization played a significant role in transforming education
Women’s access to education expanded over time, but it remained a slow process, often influenced by broader social changes, like industrialization, labor movements, and civil rights efforts.
How do gender roles impact the education of girls and women, both historically and in the present day?
gender roles shaped the educational opportunities for women.
The prevailing belief was that women’s primary role was within the home, leading to education systems that were segregated by gender and often designed to prepare women for domestic responsibilities rather than careers.
What are some common arguments against educating girls and women?
Common arguments for educating women included the belief that women were only temporary workers, that their primary role was in the home, and that educating women would not lead to productive employment.
What are some arguments in favor of educating girls and women?
Proponents of educating women argue that it benefits society at large, creating a more educated workforce and improving economic and social conditions. Education for girls and women can lead to greater individual empowerment, independence, and economic self-sufficiency
What was the experience of women in higher education, from the early period to coeducation, and how did trends in college degrees differ between men and women over time?
In the early period, women’s higher education was limited, with only a few colleges admitting women. Women were often confined to studying subjects like literature, music, and domestic science.
Over time, the number of women obtaining college degrees increased, though women still faced significant barriers in higher education, particularly in fields like law, engineering, and science
What are the basics of Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments Act, and how does it address admissions, academic treatment, sports, and staff hiring and promotion?
Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that receives federal funding.
How do equality and fairness doctrines influence policy regarding women and work?
Equality doctrines focus on providing the same legal opportunities for men and women, as seen in laws like the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which attempts to eliminate gender-based pay disparities.
Fairness doctrines, such as those seen in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, advocate for policies that treat people equitably in the workplace
How does women’s employment vary by factors such as age, race/ethnicity, motherhood, and marital status?
Women’s employment is deeply influenced by race, ethnicity, age, marital status, and whether they are mothers. For example, mothers may face challenges balancing work and childcare, and often take lower-paying jobs or work part-time.
Employment patterns also vary by race and ethnicity, with women of color often facing greater challenges in the workplace, including discrimination and lower wages. Older women also experience unique employment challenges, including age discrimination and lower pension savings compared to men.
How has the gender gap in earnings evolved over time, and how does it vary by race/ethnicity?
The gender gap in earnings has narrowed over time, but it remains significant. Women, on average, still earn less than men, even when controlling for factors like occupation and education. The gap varies by race and ethnicity
What are the implications of the gender gap in earnings for women’s Social Security, pensions, and other types of retirement income, given their life expectancy?
The gender pay gap has long-term implications for women’s financial security in retirement. Since women earn less over their lifetimes, they often receive lower pensions and social security benefits
What key legislation has shaped women’s employment, including the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, Affirmative Action through Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009?
The Equal Pay Act (1963) requires equal pay for equal work and aims to eliminate wage discrimination based on sex.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964): Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, and national origin.
Pregnancy Discrimination Act (1978): Amends Title VII to prohibit discrimination on the basis of pregnancy.
Affirmative Action (Executive Orders 11246 and 11375): Requires employers to take action to correct underrepresentation of women and minorities in their workforce.
Family and Medical Leave Act (1993): Provides unpaid leave for workers to care for a new child or a seriously ill family member.
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (2009): Overturned a Supreme Court ruling, ensuring women can sue for pay discrimination based on each discriminatory paycheck.
What protections exist for women against sexual harassment in the workplace, and what are the two major areas recognized in law?
Quid pro quo harassment: When employment decisions (like promotions or hiring) are based on sexual advances.
Hostile work environment: When the workplace is permeated with sexual harassment that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. The law recognizes that sexual harassment is a form of power and control, not just a result of sexual desire.
What is the concept of “comparable worth” in relation to women’s employment?
Comparable worth is the idea that jobs that are traditionally held by women should be compensated at the same rate as jobs that are traditionally held by men, assuming the same level of skill and responsibility.
What obstacles to equality in employment and income do women face, including the glass ceiling, glass cliff, and child care challenges?
The glass ceiling: Invisible barriers that prevent women from reaching the highest-paying and most powerful positions.
The glass cliff: A situation where women are promoted to high-risk, high-visibility positions in companies that are struggling, making it harder for them to succeed.
Child care challenges: The lack of affordable and accessible child care continues to burden women, who often bear the primary responsibility for caregiving, limiting their career opportunities.
