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Are people of different genders treated the same in the workplace?

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Are people of different genders treated the same in the workplace?

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Ethan Tordjman

Department of Women’s Studies, Cal Lutheran University

WOMS 210, Introduction to Gender Studies

Professor Julie Martin Aguilar

May 7, 2024

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Gender inequity in leadership positions at the workplace still exists as a major problem in society today with different key players ranging from the policymakers to civil society groups sharing their views on it. Even though we have advancements in terms of gender equality, there still exist women leadership gaps in many industries all around the world. This paper will examine gender inequities in leadership roles while discussing the reasoning behind this situation and its consequences for minority groups.

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Simone de Beauvoir is a feminist activist who once said: “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman" about gender socialization in her book The Second Sex.

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Social and gender factors strongly maintain the gaps in leadership positions and are built in the societal rules and gender roles Traditional gender norms and stereotypes play a normative role in setting the general direction for society concerning leadership behavior. The commonly understood characteristics of masculinity such as boldness, decisiveness, and competitiveness are normally approved as the ideal leadership traits, while the features of femininity like empathy and teamwork are underrated or neglected (Nanaya, 2023). Hence, women are subjected to institutional barriers that limit their authenticity to assume leadership roles which in turn promote them to lower positions within the organizational hierarchy.

The discrimination spreads far beyond the binary framework with the gender bias affecting the LGBTQ+ community as well. Heteronormativity rules, which privilege heterosexual relationships and cis norms as standard, introduce the under-representation of LGBTQ+ people in leadership. LGBTQ+ community may face offline discrimination, microaggressions, and obstacles to career progression because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, which promotes workplace inequalities (García Johnson & Otto, 2019). Furthermore, the multi-faceted nature of gender and sexuality results in the overlapping hurdles that are experienced by minority groups, including women of color, people within the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities.

There is intersectionality, a concept which was first coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, which considers the interrelated nature of social identities and the unique realities of those who identify with more than one marginalized identity (Campero & Fernandez, 2019). For example, women of color face that they have more than one sort of discrimination based on race, gender, and usually socioeconomic position which deepens workplace inequalities. LGBTQ+ people already from racially or ethnically disadvantaged groups experience another level of discrimination that even more obscures their presence in leadership positions.

Racism and sexism in organizations are some of the factors that are badly affecting equality in the workplace and slowing down the professional development of marginalized people. The gender pay gap, which represents the gap between the earnings of men and women across sectors and jobs, remains intact, indicating the types of structural biases in the payment patterns and career growth tracks. The gap between women of color and LGBTQ+ women's wages becomes even more pronounced due to the intersectionality of race and gender coming into play (García Johnson & Otto, 2019). The glass ceiling, a barrier that limits access to leadership positions and reproduces hierarchical inequalities of women and minorities, is a phenomenon that puts this group at a disadvantage.

The question of gender leadership in the workplace needs a multifaceted approach that seeks to challenge implicit biases, break down systemic barriers, and create inclusive working environments. Efforts must be directed at diversification and inclusivity strategies that not only serve as gestures but rather, seek to implement equitable opportunities for members of all gender and sexual minority groups. Implementing practices of inclusive leadership, using bias-mitigation strategies, diverse talent pipelines, and also mentorship programs is the way to have some underrepresented groups lead. Moreover, policymakers enact laws that protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and promote working environment equality through insurance laws and policies against discrimination.

Gender and sexuality tangle with other identifiers that influence an unequal distribution of leadership roles among women as well as lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people, further aggravating socio-economic disparities. Identifying the multidimensionality of discrimination and privilege becomes crucial in eliminating the hurdles systematically and building an environment where variety is applauded and used as a tool for innovative and successful work environments. It is through the uprooting of traditional gender stereotypes, the dissolution of heteronormative biases, and the indemnification of intersected viewpoints that we can work towards an equitable leadership representation and create an environment in which all individuals can flourish.

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The matter of gender inequality in senior corporate positions reflects the unequal relationship between men and women in management positions within organizations. As hard as they try and their qualifications and capabilities are not inferior to men, women still get fewer leadership roles or the obstacles that hinder their move in their career (Nanaya, 2023). The fact that women are largely excluded from these prominent roles is significant because it not only establishes institutional sexism but also prevents women from having different leadership perspectives and hinders organizational effectiveness and innovation.

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As an advocate of gender equality, I am personally linked to this topic of gender disparity in workplace leadership. Watching talented women being set aside or confronting barriers that hinder the climb to leadership positions due to their gender is quite upsetting for me. On the other hand, identifying the far-reaching consequences related to this topic underlines its role in the establishment of workplaces that are inclusive and also in the elimination of the systemic barriers that keep women from being promoted.

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Gender Bias Affects the LGBTQ+ Community As Well.

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Gender Bias Affects the LGBTQ+ Community As Well.

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Intersectionality: the ways in which different aspects of a person's identity can overlap and expose them to varying amounts of discrimination and marginalization (Kimberlé Crenshaw)

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Through gender role socialization, people develop their understanding, as well as belief in their capability to lead within their organizational settings. Right from the first moment of our lives, children are conditioned into gender-specific behaviors, with boys being taught to be dominant, competitive, and in control, whereas girls are encouraged to be humble, helpful, and compliant (Campero & Fernandez, 2019). These gender-related expectations are not limited only to the workplace, where leadership is often attributed to masculine traits. Consequently, individuals might internalize those gender norms, having a self-perception of their leadership. By way of illustration, women may doubt their ability to show leadership qualities because of the preconceived notions that they do not possess enough aggressiveness or determination, and this can become a vicious circle.

It is imperative to challenge the conventional gender stereotypes and form decentralized leadership models as it is one of the crucial parts of negating biases and implementing gender-justified leadership practices. Organizations can devise programs such as leadership development that emphasize diversity and inclusion, offering a platform where individuals from both genders can develop and show their leadership capabilities. By embracing different leadership styles and providing the recognition of traditionally feminine traits, organizations can create spaces in which people find the courage to be natural leaders despite their gender identity.

The concept of unconscious bias that is rooted in the traditionally accepted societal principles and stereotypes is another challenge. These biases, operating at a subconscious level, can influence the process of decision-making related to hiring, promotion, and performance evaluation (Campero & Fernandez, 2019). One of the examples may be managers who prefer those candidates who follow the traditional gender norms or have any traits linked with their gender unconsciously, and as a result, they contribute to the rising of homogeneity among business leaders. The organizations can curtail bias by implementing bias-mitigation techniques like, multicultural interview panels and using structured decision-making procedures. To increase the diversity of decision-makers and equalize the evaluation criteria, organizations should reduce the role of unconscious biases and create a more gender-diverse pool of leaders.

In the case of tokenism, the act of including people from underprivileged groups symbolically or superficially, to achieve real inclusion and diversity poses a challenge. Even though organizations value gender diversity programs, tokenism may undermine them by merely placing individuals into these symbolic roles without supplying them with opportunities to develop or influence (Campero & Fernandez, 2019). That may result in loneliness and social exclusion of such individuals, contributing to the persistence of corporate inequities. To counter tokenism, organizations need to work upon the aspect of creating environments in which employees can practice self-acceptance, along with an opportunity provided equally without any biases or prejudices. Ensuring active participation of Staff Members from under-represented groups in decision-making processes, giving opportunities for skill development and career progression, and in general building a culture of inclusion to ensure diverse views are valued is pretty important.

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The concept of unconscious bias that is rooted in the traditionally accepted societal principles and stereotypes is another challenge. These biases, operating at a subconscious level, can influence the process of decision-making related to hiring, promotion, and performance evaluation (Campero & Fernandez, 2019)

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In conclusion, gender inequality in workplace leadership roles exists because of systemic injustices rooted in gender norms, unconscious bias, and discrimination practices. However, this issue would require our organization, policy-makers, and society at large to work on demolishing the current barriers, challenging the stereotypes, and fostering a culture of inclusion that may let people of gender and sexuality, independent of their sexuality, prosper. Such an understanding serves as a further recognition of the role that gender and sexuality play in defining other aspects of our identity, pointing towards how we can all take part in helping to develop a working environment within which diversity is celebrated yet also benefiting us all.

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Campero, S., & Fernandez, R. M. (2019). Gender composition of labor queues and gender disparities in hiring. Social Forces, 97(4), 1487-1516.

García Johnson, C. P., & Otto, K. (2019). Better together: A model for women and LGBTQ equality in the workplace. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 365331.

Nanaya, E. (2023). Gender Disparities in Workplace Advancement: Challenges for Women in Managerial Positions. Insights in Social Science, 1(2), 22-27.