Selection of the Topic
Topic
I have chosen gender discrimination under the family category.
Description
Gender discrimination is a social phenomenon based on cultural practices that set a glass ceiling to women in many aspects of life. For instance, in the workplace, women are discriminated in different ways including, recruitment, promotion, and salary inequalities (Stamarski & Son Hing, 2015). As such, men are deemed fit to occupy some positions as opposed to women. Similarly, in some cases, men earn more as compared to women even when they occupy equal positions in the workplace (Verniers & Vala, 2018).
On one side of the debate on this issue, proponents argue that women’s work affects children’s life and family structures. On the other hand, critics hold that gender discrimination is a form of sexism that seeks to oppose the empowerment of women. My opinion is that gender discrimination is a selfish attempt by its proponents to fight competition for job opportunities from women. It is a social construct based on fear and insecurity.
Research Questions
- Who benefits from gender discrimination practices?
- What are the main causes of gender discrimination in the workplace?
- What steps have been made in the last decade to address this problem?
- How long will it take to achieve gender equality in different aspects of life?
- How can gender discrimination be defeated?
Reflection on the Topic
How is the topic important?
This topic is important because gender discrimination is a baseless social issue that should be deconstructed to allow meritocracy in different aspects of life. Women have been victims of gender inequality for a long time. As such, I think women should be allowed to enjoy the rewards of their labor. In the contemporary times, societal norms should be based on scientific evidence and logical arguments as opposed to baseless beliefs that promote gender discrimination.
How does it affect you?
Personally, I have seen the effects of gender discrimination in different aspects of life and especially in the workplace. It does not make sense for people work at the same job positions in an organization but earn disparately because they belong to different genders. Some women are industrious, and they go through the same educational and professional process as men. As such, for them to earn less because they are females is insidious and illogical.
What do you personally hope to gain or accomplish by writing about this topic?
I hope to gain understanding on why gender discrimination is still prevalent in the contemporary times. While humanity has made considerable progress in terms of civilization, it baffles me that as a society we have not addressed the issue of gender inequality satisfactorily. Therefore, I will seek to understand who benefits from this practice and ways on how to address the issue conclusively.
What do you want to readers to understand?
I want my readers to understand that gender equality is formed on baseless societal constructs that should be defeated in the contemporary times. My readers should understand that failing to speak up against gender inequality is tantamount to supporting it. As such, I would expect my audience to speak against this practice and allow women to enjoy meritocracy in all aspects of their lives.
What actions do you want them to take?
I want my audience to start talking against gender inequalities, and especially in the workplace. They should start by asking questions about the amount of money that different employees occupying same job positions earn. I want them to speak with different women from all backgrounds and learn about the gender inequalities that these individuals face in their lives. After gaining this information, I want my readers to petition the relevant authorities on the issue of gender discrimination.
Research, Audience, and Thesis
Audience
My readers will be mainly women because they are the victims of this societal problem. There is a need to create awareness amongst women for them to know that they deserve equality in all aspects of life. The motivation and influence to fight for equality hinges on the belief that all human beings are equal and they should be treated as such. I will structure my writing to capture and reveal this truth to my readers.
Narrowed Focus
My unique angle in this paper will be to argue that gender discrimination is an issue of perception. Therefore, it is illogical and unscientific, and thus it should not be tolerated in the contemporary times.
My thesis statement
Gender discrimination is a social construct that prevents women from progressing and the main beneficiaries are insecure men who fear competition in different life aspects.
References
Stamarski, C. S., & Son Hing, L. S. (2015). Gender inequalities in the workplace: The effects of organizational structures, processes, practices, and decision makers’ sexism. Frontiers in Psychology, 6(1400), 1-20.
Verniers, C., & Vala, J. (2018). Justifying gender discrimination in the workplace: The mediating role of motherhood myths. PLoS ONE, 13(1), 1-23.