Gender Inequality

Women's Rights-Bit of History
There is an immense amount of history regarding women's rights that has lead our country to where we are today in terms of gender equality. The word equality serves as our goal, since we have yet to reach gender equality in all aspects of our society. This is why there is importance in understanding the positions in which women are placed daily in institutions along with other prolonging issues: Domestic violence, rape, reproductive rights, etc. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 aimed to end discrimination based on religion, race, color, and national origin. It was the Civil Rights Act that sparked the women's right movement soon after. Through the years of many woman's hard work and determination, there was a lot of progress. Issues that were focused on included reproductive rights, sexual harassment, Title IX, the "glass ceiling," and many more.

Women in the Work Force
The "glass ceiling" was a phrase referring to the invisible barrier through which women can see higher positions in the work force but cannot reach or achieve it. There is no written law or guideline that institutions set out to follow such as, "No people of the minority (in this case women) being accepted into elite positions," for this would violate the equal employment opportunity laws. Thus, the inclusion of the word 'glass' implies that it exists without firm foundation or reason and that's why it cannot be an eye witnessed phenomenon. It exists as some undercover force in which the people of the majority of the institution remain in control. Take a moment to put yourself into the shoes of a woman in the work force... not able to gain acceptance in the most elite positions at your institution simply because you were born with the biological features that make you female? It is not difficult to imagine this experience to be degrading. Common emotions such as worthlessness or lack of importance were most likely present. As stated be Hillary Clinton, "Although we weren't able to shatter this highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, its got about 18 million cracks in it, and the light is shining through like never before."
Institutional sexism, as Newman defines it, is subordination of women that is part of everyday workings of economics, law, politics, and other social institutions. Since this form of sexism is so common (happening daily) it puts sexism on a larger scale. This draws clearer lines of inequality amongst the males and females in the work force today. Institutional sexism can often result in masculinized institutions. In a masculinized institution, stereotypical masculine characteristics are favored, such as being strong, aggressive, competitive, etc.
Overall, although our country has developed greatly throughout the years in hopes of gender equality, there is always room for improvement.