It was interesting to read about the
differences in career development issues of various population. I was able to
relate the most with the issues that were unique to women. Brown stated that in
the United States, women are paid about 20 percent less than men, and some of
this discrepancy is related to discrimination. This discrepancy is based on
various factors including unpaid maternity leave and a greater willingness to forego
career advancement so that a spouse can advance. Also, women tend to choose
careers in position with lower-pay in clerical, medical, and educational areas.
Gender-role stereotyping may have had a significant influence on women to avoid
careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, and other higher-paying
fields like HVAC, electricians and welding. I agree with Brown in that we need
to work as counselors to make our clients more aware of these possible adversities
and help them to develop appropriate coping skills to deal with them. Also, we
need to work as advocates against these oppressive forces in organizations, communities,
families, and work to repeal policies that have brought about wage inequality for
all. More organizations are forming to promote women in STEM fields like the
National Girls Collaborative Project and National Math and Science Initiative
(NMS). These organizations are working to improve the relationship and perceptions
of STEM subjects and female students. They are providing more resources for
STEM classrooms and implementing programs that will foster more interest in
these fields at an earlier age so students are more engaged with these courses.
Brown (2016) discusses the debate of
nurture vs nature and its role in female perception of the working world. Social
scientists seem to think it’s more nurture (heredity) than nature (environmental).
However, it’s now known that human beings actively shape their environments
based on their predisposition to various traits, behaviors, and attitudes. It’s
important to help women develop an authentic self-concept so that they can
choose a career path that they truly want to pursue.
Growing up, my family encouraged me to
pursue typical female-dominate careers like nursing, teaching, and psychology.
My mother stayed-at-home for years, and then started working when I was much
older in the education field. When I was in middle school, my mother told me that
she wanted to be a mother when she grew up, which I felt was ridiculous. However,
as an adult I see coworkers, friends and family become mothers, and I’ve
realized that it’s equally as important and fulfilling as any other career.
It’s so important to empower women
to choose career paths authentically, despite environmental influences. Brown
(2016) states that since 1982, more women have matriculated through the higher education
system than men. This statistic makes it even more important to advocate for
equal treatment in the workforce for not only women, but for everyone.
Therefore, it is important that we keep advocating for equality for everyone,
and to support women in finding purpose, fulfillment, and satisfaction in their
career choices.
Reference
Brown, D. (2016). Career Information, Career
Counseling, and Career Development (11th ed.). New York: Pearson.
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