Review on the ‘Women Workers and Manpower Demands in the 1970s’ Article, by Janice Neipert Hedges, published on June 6, 1970

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In the ‘Women Workers and Manpower Demands in the 1970s’ Article, published on June 6, 1970, Janice Neipert Hedges argues that the shift in employment patterns in 1970 will force women to abandon the women traditional occupations and venture into the labor market, known to be dominated by men. According to Janice, skilled trades and professional and technical occupations contribute massively to the shift because they require intensive and lengthy training. The author argues that before 1970, long preparation periods, educational qualifications, and physical power constrained women from joining some professions. They were forced to stick to textile weaving, children’s instruction, cleaning, food preparation, and preservation (Hedges, 1970). The emergence of advanced labor market sectors and white-collar jobs in the 1970s has enabled women to specialize in different job groups without having gender limitations.

Over the years, there has been a radical change in the gender roles in the labor market. More women are breaking from the stereotype surrounding them and their capabilities and are venturing into more challenging fields. The emergence of white-collar jobs has motivated women to broaden their options in the labor market and join professions that compromise their societal expectations (Waldman, 1970). Statistics show that by the mid-1980s, the number of women employed in organizations as clerks and secretaries had shot up by 41%. By 1854, women working as lawyers had increased by 14%, while those in the banking sector had increased by 30% (Guilder, 1986). It means that women did not consider their gender a factor anymore and were open to challenges and risks that would come their way in their new occupations. Furthermore, the number of women who enrolled and graduated from college increased. Women graduates held degrees in different fields, unlike in the old times when nearly all female graduates focused only on the teaching profession. These statistics indicate that the shift in the labor market incorporated women, thus influencing them to step out of their comfort zone and explore different professions.

Technological innovations have played a vital role in the increased number of women in the labor market. Technology has allowed the invention of machines and equipment that have replaced jobs requiring physical power in the market, which shut out women (Yellen, 2020). Women can now work in such companies without facing discrimination from their male counterparts since all that is needed is knowledge of the technological tool in play. In addition, women are also securing leadership roles in the same companies because they prove more competent than male employees. For instance, most engineering and IT companies have more than 30% female employees (Guilder, 1986). This analysis is enough proof that there is growth in the labor market and women are daring and expanding their horizons regarding their professions by day. It is expected that the figure will continue to rise, and more women will be inspired to venture into the technical and complex labor fields.

Conclusion

The labor industry has experienced growth over the past few decades regarding women’s inclusivity. More corporations have changed their policies and are working towards achieving gender equality in their organizations. However, it is important to note that despite this growth, women still face discrimination within these organizations in terms of leadership positions, promotions, and salary payments. Therefore, organizations should develop strategies and regulations to eradicate this issue and achieve a gender-neutral working environment.

References

Guilder, G. (1986). Women in the Work Force. The Atlantic. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1986/09/women-in-the-work-force/304924/.

Hedges, J. (1970). Women Workers and Manpower Demands in the 1970s. JSTOR. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.jstor.org/stable/41838009?read-now=1&refreqid=excelsior%3A77c75926f62cc22065d5aa8b74ad3810&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contents.

Waldman, E. (1970). Changes in the labor force activity of women. Monthly Lab. Rev., 93, 10.

Yellen, J. (2020). The history of women’s work and wages and how it has created success for us all. Brookings. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.brookings.edu/essay/the-history-of-womens-work-and-wages-and-how-it-has-created-success-for-us-all/.