Carina+and+Lauren

"Top Job For Women Is Secretary -- The Same Today As It Was In 1950"

In an article written by Christina Huffington titled, "Top Job For Women Is Secretary -- The Same Today As It Was In 1950," the author states that despite dramatic changes in gender roles since the 1950's, the most popular job for women today is a secretary. Statistics show that 96% of the secretary jobs between 2006 through 2010 were occupied by women. The big question is why this happens when so many more women are getting higher educations than they were in 1950. The author believes the reason is because women are more often told than men to start from administrative assistant jobs. Women are encouraged to out for jobs such as a secretary where as men are encouraged to reach higher. People are continuing to stereotype women in the work field as less than par compared to men.
 * Abstract:**

1. Do you think the statistic that the top job for women is a secretary accurately portrays women in the 21st century? 2. What types of jobs did you expect to be the most popular among women in modern day? 3. Who or what is to blame for the stereotype that women are leveled as less than men in the work field? 4. Relating to the topic of positions in the workforce, the majority of company CEOs are men. Why do you think this is so? Do you think men make better leaders than women, or vice versa? 5. If we were to use "work" as a general term and instead make a parallel consideration of the work ethics of 'Iolani students, do you think that the stereotype of females being lesser than males still applies, as it does in the workforce? Why or why not? 6. Do you agree with this stereotype as proven in your own life, for example in your job or family? Why or why not? 7. Do you think that society is moving towards a less sexist workforce in which women can take on any job at the same level as men? What do you think are steps that we can take to make this possible?
 * Discussion Questions:**


 * Carina's Response:**

After reading this article, I remembered the story that this years Keables Chair, Alexandra Fuller, told us during her appearance in our class. She explained her previous discovery of being paid less than a man who was less experienced and published than she was. I recall being astounded that discrimination in the work force to such an extent actually happens in the real world, and these feelings resurfaced while reading this article. I think I was most shocked to again be encountered with a secondary realization that such stereotypes based on gender are in fact real and problematic to even our most modern society. It is true that we have come a very long way, but this article reminded me that we still have quite a ways to go.


 * Lauren's Response:**

As I read this article I was shocked and a little disappointed. It wasn't so much because of the fact that the number one job for a woman is a secretary, but because people are still continuing to stereotype women in the work field. The author believes that the reason a secretary is still the number one job is because women are encouraged to go into those types of jobs where as men are not. Although the statistic hasn't changed since 1950, I know that a lot of other things have made major improvements. For example wages, equality, and overall respect a women earns. The author even states that workplaces changed the title of secretary to administrative assistant.