Women at Work Essay Example

women aged between 14-24 years old. While domestic services remained the predominant occupation for most employed unmarried women during the early twentieth century (Women in the), teaching and manufacturing saw an increase in popularity as time passed (Wilson). With factories emerging, young single women were granted greater personal liberty compared to being employed as domestic workers.

During the expansion of clerical sales opportunities, single women also began occupying these roles. However, employment opportunities were limited for women in general, as they were often only employed in unskilled positions that were considered a temporary option before getting married. Despite working longer hours, women's salaries were consistently less than 60% of their male counterparts (Wilson). Additionally, the early 1900s were a prosperous time in Canada due to advancements such as the telephone and automobile that brought about significant changes to urban life (Wilson).

During the period before World War One, the labour market grew and witnessed an increase in the number of women recruited for clerical and sales jobs, as reported by Wilson. However, the prosperity was short-lived and was disrupted by the Canadian economic recession that coincided with the War. Wilson also revealed that the 1916 Ontario Commission on Unemployment estimated that there were approximately eight to ten thousand jobless women in Ontario in 1914 and 1915. Thus, it was only in 1916 that there emerged a need to actively engage women in employment opportunities.

During the later half of the war, women were in demand mainly for office work and light factory jobs, while a few worked in munitions (Wilson). Employers took advantage of the war to extend working hours for both genders, and though wages were low

for everyone, women received even less pay than men (Wilson). The war ended, followed by a period of prosperity for Canada prior to the Depression of the 1930s (Wilson). Women began to thrive as clerks and salespeople, with these jobs surpassing manufacturing and domestic service as women's top choices (Wilson). By 1931, half of all employed women were in clerical or service-related positions (Wilson).

Despite an apparent increase in employment opportunities for women, the majority were still limited to domestic service and received lower wages than men regardless of their position (Wilson). Furthermore, uneducated or untrained women were often hired for jobs that required nurturing abilities or in growing industries that favored low-cost labor. This was a common trend among employers who preferred hiring women. The top ten occupations for women as of 1891 consisted of servants, dressmakers, teachers, farmers, seamstresses, tailoresses, saleswomen, housekeepers, laundresses and milliners (Wilson).

The role of women in the workforce was greatly impacted by the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Due to a shortage of factory workers caused by thousands of young men enlisting for military service, women were employed to fill this gap. Single women, particularly those who advocated for Women's rights, were also hired to work in offices and sales positions while men were transferred to war industries. The contribution made by women during this time was critical in Canada. However, when the war ended and large numbers of men returned home, women were encouraged to leave their jobs and go back home, resulting in yet another shift in the role played by women during the post-war period that still affects Women's rights today.

Before, women were not allowed

to work. However, unmarried women are now permitted to work because their earnings can help with household expenses. It is recommended that women seek employment in fields that are considered appropriate for females rather than pursuing traditional male-dominated roles.

During the 1920s, females aged 14 years or older represented around 17% of the workforce, with almost 17.7% occupying office jobs. Despite girls and boys having equal access to education except for higher education, economic challenges in the 1930s impeded women's advancement in gaining rights. In 1931, employment rates for females over age 14 had increased to nearly 19.4%.

During World War II, Canada needed female labour to keep production going in factories, shipyards, and munitions plants as men enlisted in the army. Initially, only single women were employed, but as demands increased, childless married women and women with children were also employed. Incentives such as day care and tax breaks were offered to attract women to the labour market. Women made up 6% of the total labour force and were sometimes the sole support for their families when their husbands became unemployed.

In order to release more men for combat duties, women were encouraged to volunteer in support services and nursing, even though they were never conscripted. Their contribution was crucial to sustain the Canadian economy during the Second World War (Women's rights). This conflict also led Canadians to recognize and appreciate women's significant contributions beyond traditional roles, challenging the misconception that certain jobs were reserved for men (Women in). Furthermore, it provided temporary financial and personal independence for many women and helped married women realize that they could balance work and family responsibilities (Women in).

During

World War II, many men joined the military or took jobs in war production industries, leading to the emergence of women in roles typically reserved for men. Propaganda posters featuring "Rosie the Riveter" encouraged women to take up non-traditional jobs as a patriotic duty (Women in). The American shipbuilding industry serves as an example, where women's presence went from a few office jobs to over 9% of the workforce during the war (Women in). However, after the war, women were urged to leave their jobs and make way for returning male soldiers (Women in).

During this time period, women faced various forms of pressure to leave their jobs. These included the termination of government-supported child care facilities and the removal of tax benefits for married women, as well as forced layoffs (Women in). The expectation for married women was to stay home, while single women were expected to marry and create a household to raise children (Women in). The media promoted domestic life and femininity, resulting in a renewed appreciation for women's roles at home. The intensity of the debate around married women's place in the workforce increased. In 1951, women aged 15 years and older made up 24% of the labor force, representing 22% of the total workforce (Women's rights).

Despite the fact that it was illegal to distribute information on contraception and prescribe it until 1969, a contraceptive pill became available in December 1960, causing a significant impact on the lifestyle of women. The pill provided women with greater control over birth planning, offering them a better quality of life and fewer family constraints, allowing them to continue their education or work. As a result,

many unmarried women who lived with family members took on spinning as their contribution to their household.

During the early stages of the Industrial Revolution, women were provided with job opportunities in textile and clothing production. Prior to the introduction of sewing machines to Canadian households in the 1860s, seamstresses would sew by hand at home (The Women). With the increased prevalence of machine-made clothing, there was a decrease in demand for hand-sewing resulting in a shift from homes to factories, small shops and private residences for clothing production (The Women). Despite earning low wages, women who worked from home had an advantage as they could care for their children while working; however they faced long hours during high demand periods and experienced unemployment when there was less work available (The Women). Even currently, women employed within the garment industry still sew from home under conditions similar to those experienced during the 19th century (The Women).

Female factory workers have historically earned less than male counterparts, with a particularly significant wage gap in the 19th century. During this time period, women received meager salaries that were insufficient to support themselves (The Women). In fact, by 1895 many young girls were working up to 80 hours per week and earning only $0.50 to $3.00 weekly. Due to their low income, these women often had no other option but to turn to prostitution for survival (The Women).

The Women state that women's pay was often linked to the quantity of work accomplished and they did not receive compensation when there were shortages or equipment issues. A lot of female workers had to add extra income through part-time jobs, freelance work,

home-based labor, and low-skilled positions in the clothing industry. At the outset of industrialization, lower-class women were mostly engaged in domestic duties, factory labor or sweatshops; however, by the early 1900s educated women had expanded job options such as teaching, office management or retail sales.

For many years, gender income disparities have been continuously documented. In 1985, the average annual income for men was $27,675 while women earned $18,136 resulting in a wage gap of approximately 60%. It is important to note that this gap has varied over time. In 1911, women's wages were only 52.8% of men's but by 1985 they had slightly risen to reach 64.9%.

According to Shah, the wage disparity between genders can be attributed largely to occupational segregation. However, when examining earnings within specific job categories, the gap narrows. It is significant to acknowledge that few women earn sufficient wages for financial independence. Historically, men's salaries were typically considered the primary source of income for families and covered reproductive expenses while women's earnings were supplementary. Additionally, men's incomes provided economic support for raising children who would eventually enter the workforce.

Shah stated that money was the measure of value and only the father's wage, which included family subsistence, held significance. Women were considered less productive than men and thus earned lower wages, causing their work to be undervalued in the market. This resulted from not only women's lower productivity but also the lower value placed on what they produced. Men's higher productivity led to the belief that their work held more value than women's. Women's wages were perceived as supplementary income for other family members regardless of circumstances such as being single or

having familial responsibilities.

Canada underwent a significant sociological transformation in the late 1800s as numerous women started working, resulting in long-term repercussions. Nevertheless, this change encountered considerable opposition and gender-based prejudice because of concerns over how women's employment would adversely affect Canadian society and disrupt conventional family models.

Throughout history, the perception of women and their societal role has undergone a transformation. Initially, it was difficult for women to find employment opportunities due to discrimination. However, as time passed, more doors opened for them and they were granted equal rights as citizens. Notably in 1920, women gained the right to vote - a significant milestone in their progress. Women also played an active role in unions during that era and fought for better working conditions and compensation which was documented by newspapers at the time (Did). In modern times, women continue to contribute significantly to the workforce while remaining equally involved.

Recent studies indicate that although women have made progress in creating their own businesses, they still lag behind men in corporate management positions (Did). The U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau has identified the top 20 job fields where women are employed (Did).

Women make up over 80% of the workforce in various professions including teaching, nursing, and secretarial work. They also outnumber men in roles such as retail sales clerks, customer service representatives, and office clerks (Did). However, traditional occupational roles continue to be divided by gender with women having less representation in higher-paying fields like engineering, mathematical and computer sciences. Conversely, women are more likely to work in lower-paying professional positions such as teaching (Did). Despite some changes over time, certain aspects of this gender-based division

remain unchanged throughout the past century.

Although there has been some improvement, women are still predominantly found in traditional roles like homemaking, child-rearing and garment manufacturing (Did). In 1996, a study revealed that 70% of Canadian women who were employed received payment for professions such as administration, sales, service, nursing and teaching (Did). Even though women have made strides in entering male-dominated fields within Canada, the problem of gender-based occupational segregation remains significant (Did).

According to Did, "Pink-collar jobs" are occupations that are mostly held by women. They have low pay and status and include roles like secretaries, salesclerks, and food servers. Many women end up in these jobs due to economic reasons rather than choosing them for their career aspirations. Despite this, they do provide flexibility for women who need time off for childcare and the possibility of returning to work later on.