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The Opening of the American Workplace: Reshaping Gender and Race in Corporate America

Harold Blair

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Published in Freedom Is Not Enough: The Opening Of The American Workplace (Russell Sage Foundation Books)

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The American workplace has undergone a profound transformation over the past century. In the early 20th century, women and people of color were largely excluded from white-collar jobs. Today, they are an integral part of the workforce. This change has been driven by a combination of factors, including changing social attitudes, government legislation, and the rise of the service economy.

Freedom Is Not Enough: The Opening of the American Workplace (Russell Sage Foundation Books)

by Nancy MacLean

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
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This article will explore the history of this transformation, examining the factors that led to the opening of the American workplace and the challenges that remain in achieving true equality.

The Historical Context

The American workplace was shaped by a long history of discrimination. In the early days of the republic, women were largely confined to the home. They were not allowed to vote, own property, or hold public office. Men, meanwhile, were seen as the breadwinners of the family. They were expected to work outside the home and provide for their wives and children.

This division of labor was reinforced by stereotypes about women and men. Women were seen as being too emotional and weak to handle the rigors of the workplace. Men, on the other hand, were seen as being rational and strong. These stereotypes made it difficult for women to break into male-dominated fields such as law, medicine, and business.

People of color also faced discrimination in the workplace. They were often denied jobs or relegated to low-paying positions. Even when they were able to get jobs, they were often subjected to segregation and other forms of discrimination.

The Rise of the Women's Movement

The women's movement of the 1960s and 1970s played a major role in challenging the traditional division of labor between men and women. The movement fought for women's right to equal pay, equal opportunity, and reproductive freedom. It also challenged the stereotypes about women that had kept them out of the workplace.

The women's movement had a significant impact on the American workplace. In 1964, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This law helped to open up the workplace to women and people of color.

In 1972, Congress passed the Equal Pay Act, which required employers to pay men and women equally for equal work. This law helped to ensure that women were not paid less than men simply because they were women.

The women's movement also led to the creation of new opportunities for women in the workplace. In 1972, Congress passed the Comprehensive Child Development Act, which provided funding for childcare. This law made it easier for women to work outside the home.

The women's movement also inspired women to start their own businesses. In 1976, the first Women's Business Enterprise Center was founded. This center provides training and support to women who want to start their own businesses.

The Rise of the Service Economy

The rise of the service economy has also played a major role in the opening of the American workplace. In the early 20th century, the American economy was dominated by manufacturing. These jobs were typically held by men.

However, in the late 20th century, the American economy shifted from manufacturing to services. This shift created new opportunities for women and people of color. Service jobs are often more flexible than manufacturing jobs, which makes them more appealing to working parents.

The rise of the service economy has also led to an increase in the number of women-owned businesses. In 1972, there were only 400,000 women-owned businesses in the United States. Today, there are more than 11 million women-owned businesses.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the progress that has been made, there are still challenges to achieving true equality in the American workplace. Women and people of color are still underrepresented in many fields, and they continue to face discrimination.

One of the biggest challenges is the lack of women and people of color in leadership positions. In 2019, women held only 24% of board seats at Fortune 500 companies. People of color held only 12% of board seats.

Another challenge is the pay gap between men and women. In 2019, women earned only 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. This gap is even wider for women of color.

Despite these challenges, there are also opportunities to continue to make progress. The increasing diversity of the American workforce is creating a more inclusive environment. And the rise of the service economy is creating new opportunities for women and people of color.

The opening of the American workplace has been a long and difficult process. However, the progress that has been made has been significant. Women and people of color are now an integral part of the workforce. They have made significant contributions to the American economy and society.

However, there is still more work to be done. True equality will not be achieved until women and people of color are fully represented in all levels of the American workplace.

Freedom Is Not Enough: The Opening of the American Workplace (Russell Sage Foundation Books)

by Nancy MacLean

4.1 out of 5