Women and Work

Reflection journal two should include 400-500 words about key concepts, what you found helpful and critiques of the readings and other materials in the module. Reflections must demonstrate your attempts to grapple with the material. They should not be summaries of the reading. They should tell me what you took away from the material and how it applies to the social work profession. LINbcqKS FOR ARTICLE : https://nwlc.org/issue/equal-pay-and-the-wage-gap/ https://www.iwf.org/working-for-women-report-second-edition/ https://www.ted.com/talks/anne_marie_slaughter_can_we_all_have_it_all?language=en https://www.cnn.com/videos/bestoftv/2013/01/25/ac-women-combat-hillier-west-intv.cnn https://www.womensmemorial.org/oral-history/detail/?s=oral-histories-from-afghanistan

Expert Answer:

The readings and materials for this module focused on the concept of equal pay and the wage gap, particularly as it relates to women in the workforce. One key concept discussed was the fact that, on average, women in the United States earn only 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. This wage gap exists across all industries and occupations, and is particularly pronounced for women of color.

One article discussed the various factors that contribute to the wage gap, including discrimination and bias, occupational segregation, and the gender pay gap in industries that are predominantly female. It also highlighted the importance of policies such as equal pay laws and paid leave, which can help to address these issues and promote gender equality in the workforce.

Another article examined the issue of work-life balance and the “having it all” mentality, particularly as it relates to women. The author argued that society’s expectations for women to be successful both in their personal and professional lives can create a sense of guilt and pressure for women who may not feel that they are able to “have it all.” She called for a shift in societal expectations and a reevaluation of the value of caregiving work, which is often performed by women without financial compensation.

The TED talk by Anne-Marie Slaughter also touched on the concept of work-life balance and the challenges women face in achieving it. Slaughter argued that current societal and workplace structures make it difficult for women to succeed both personally and professionally, and that these structures need to be reimagined in order to create a more equal and inclusive society.

One video discussed the issue of women in combat roles in the military. While women have been able to serve in a variety of roles in the military for many years, they were previously excluded from combat positions. This changed in 2013, when the Pentagon lifted the ban on women serving in combat roles. The video highlighted the experiences of female soldiers who served in combat, and the challenges they faced in a male-dominated field.

Overall, the readings and materials for this module were informative and provided a thorough overview of the issues surrounding equal pay and the wage gap. They also raised important points about the challenges faced by women in the workforce, particularly in terms of work-life balance and breaking into male-dominated fields. As a social worker, it is important to be aware of these issues and to work towards promoting gender equality and supporting women in the workforce.