Global Issue 3: Women

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Global Issue 3: Women
Women and Globalization

Globalization involves social and political transformation as well as new economic and environmental outcomes. An example is the changing role of women. Traditional societies often place girls and women in the home to handle domestic duties, such as child rearing, adult care, and housekeeping. This labor is almost never paid. Societies that embrace globalization are increasingly putting girls in school and women in the workplace. This labor is almost always paid, even if the work involved is not part of the formal economy. Either way, women work. Educating girls and paying women for their labor, however, involves great social change which is often strongly resisted, especially by women themselves.

See Gender and Inequality for a list of articles on the subject and Shelly Widhalm's Washington Times article for an analysis of "women's work." Meanwhile, Carolyn Graglia and Fareena Alam both argue that women do not need to, and therefore should not, feel compelled to enter the workplace. See the World Bank for its view on educating girls as well as boys worldwide.

This activity contains 3 questions.

Reconciling Roles

Organizations such as the Population Council and the Centre for Research on Ageing and Gender focus on the roles of men and women in society. A review of the changing roles of women in South Korea illustrates the challenges involved.

Based on your reading, how might societies successfully reconcile their traditional roles for girls and women with the demands of globalization?

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Men

Boys and men should not be left out of any discussion concerning the social roles of girls and women, because their roles are changing also. For a male point of view, see Men and Gender Equality. Note that the concept of an appropriate adult role model for boys is changing in many communities, from sexuality to literacy. Meanwhile, changes in men's work environments -- from home offices to unemployment -- mean that men who choose to can play a greater role in their children's lives. There is an increasing emphasis on fatherhood, especially among American blacks.

Using examples from your own experiences or from your family, what changes (or lack of changes) do you see among the men in your community?

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Glass Ceiling

While some women are heads of state or executive officers in major corporations, many others are frustrated that they are not moving more easily into positions of decision-making authority. Some observers contend that there is a societal glass ceiling that prevents women from gaining equal representation in positions of power. Others note that individual choices may be a more influential factor and that the Internet helps everyone bypass the glass ceiling.

In the globalized workplace of the 21st century, is the glass ceiling still a relevant barrier?

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