The glass ceiling is a metaphorical notion that implies a barrier, which does not allow a particular group to reach a higher place in the hierarchy. This concept can be applied, for example, to women or members of a certain minority who have obstacles to getting a high job position. The “Sociology” written by Farley and Flota (2017) is complex research, presenting fundamental sociological issues, including discriminatory barriers, for example, the glass ceiling, which limits some groups’ opportunities to move into high positions (p. 127). This construct is of great interest to me as I want to build a successful career in sports and understand the social mechanisms, which might create difficulties. This term strictly clashes with my view of the world, and I consider it to be something unacceptable and standing in the way of society’s development.
The concept of the glass ceiling is closely related to economic inequality and mobility. According to the book, women and minorities tend to have lower salaries and lower-status jobs than white males (Farley & Flota, 2017, p. 127). In other words, it means that due to social biases, a person’s race or sex can influence his career life, excluding his knowledge and experience. This phenomenon significantly influenced my mother’s life and is now beginning to affect me. My mother worked in a bank and wanted to get the position of department head. Despite the fact that she has a suitable education and has worked in this field longer than the other candidate, he got the job because he was a man. The director wanted to see a man in this position because he shared the stereotype that women are more emotional and cannot be trusted with responsible work.
However, I knew that my mother is a qualified specialist and would deal with any critical issue. This situation had a considerable influence on me, and since that time, I cannot always rely on male experts. I cannot be sure that they got their jobs on the ground of their professionalism or simply because they are regarded as more trusted by those who make personnel decisions.
Concerning the term glass ceiling itself, I advocate the view that this is a hazardous phenomenon for our society. Although the reasons for biases with regard to sex and race are clear, and inequality is a widespread circumstance, it cannot be disregarded that it harms social development and progress. Farley and Flota (2017) claim that our birth status significantly affects our life. It leads to the situation when some individuals cannot break through the glass ceiling due to their belonging to a class that is considered less appropriate for the job. Group affiliation is of a higher priority than personal qualities and skills, resulting in the situation when key positions are occupied by less qualified candidates and can slow down social progress.
My views have changed by this concept as I learned that the glass ceiling is a social construct that has its origins. In other words, it is strongly associated with social inequality and stereotypes. It is not simple to eliminate the prejudices that society has put into your mind. Moreover, people who make personnel decisions and might strengthen limitations created on the ground of the glass ceiling can act with the best of intentions. Comprehension of this concept influenced me, and due to a more thorough perception of the glass ceiling idea and its reasons, I changed focus. Now I am more concentrated not on thoughts of injustice and the danger of such a phenomenon but on how I can contribute to a change in the situation. Moreover, if I have to make decisions about hiring one day, I will pay attention to stereotypes, which might be inside me, and try to focus on candidates’ qualifications.
What is more, the concept of the glass ceiling addresses inequality and biases as the premises of this phenomenon. I consider these items significant as they play a crucial role in strengthening social injustice, which hinders the development of the whole society. With regard to my family, my mother has experienced the hazardous influence of biases relating to women. Concerning my economic and social class, I should take this issue into account because my family is not rich and does not have a high status. According to the concept, it means that I am a less attractive candidate for a prestigious job than a member of the higher economic class. Thus, the idea of the glass ceiling influenced me in the past, changes my worldview in the present, and will have an impact on my life in the future.
To conclude, the glass ceiling phenomenon affects my life, and, consequently, understanding the causes of this phenomenon is required. If I find myself in a position of power, I must eradicate stereotypes in myself. However, if I do not get the desired position for reasons not related to my qualifications, I should not despair and get angry but understand that the decision might be based on some biases. To build a prosperous society, everyone should contribute to this problem’s eradication.
Reference
Farley, J., F., & Flota, M. (2017). Sociology (7th ed.). Taylor & Francis.