Sexism or just a reflection of ability?

[ruby27]

Women bosses left behind mens pay.

More evidence of patriarchy that discriminates against women and keeps them as second class citizens, whilst men unfairly benefit?
Or evidence that women do not have what it takes to be a CEO and will never have what it takes to make it in a mans world (sic).

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,215794 8,00.html

[Loosehead]

There's no discrimination, I work in a major US based organisation and we have several very senior ladies. If they where good enough they'd get there. The so called "glass ceiling" is a myth. So if I had to pick one of your 2 choices I'd go with the Latter, with some qualification. What it takes does exist in woman kind but in most cases it is obscured by other problems and priorities for example they will insist on leaving to have babies etc, it's one or Tother girls, very few can do both!

[Gromit]

British society does still discriminate against women, depsite all the Equal Opportunities legislation. It is ingrained in our culture. It is possible for women to advance, and they do if they are determined enough, but where possible, a lot of managers will favour a man for a post rather than a woman. It is not sexism but it is clearly discrimination. Not promoting women because they will leave to have babies is just an excuse and one that pre-dates family planning. It is possible to have children and a career, though some sections of the media still insist that the woman should be at home looking after husband and kids, and blame career women for everything from unruly youths to congested roads.

[andrea81]

I'm a woman and I have a child, I gave up my career to look after my baby, but thankfully I was able to afford to do that as my husband was earling enough! I chose to put my career on hold but that was my choice.

If I were to have stayed in my job, I know I wouldn't have been able to give it 100% and so I agree to some extent that you can't have it both ways!

Only thing is that some people don't have the privilage of being a stay at home mother or maybe not want to, so I think they should have a choice to climb the ladder! But being honest... I can see why there are inequalities!

[China Doll]

We can't have it all and sometimes sacrifices have to be made in pursuit of what we want.

I tend to think that there's a certain kind of ambition that drives men and women to wanting that kind of high power job. That being the case then women can not always expect to be able to have it all. (Well, unless they have a house husband).

That said. Women doing the same job as a man should be paid equally.

(Apologies Ruby. Gromit, there's a question in society & culture that might interest you re a headstone).

[sp1814]

I absolutely think that in certain male-dominated industries, sexism still exists, and it's much harder for a woman to achieve the same renumeration package as a man doing an equivalent job.

However, someone told me years ago that when women and men's average pay is worked out, it's ignored that far more women within certain industries work part time, or choose lower paid jobs which allow them to spend time looking after their kids.

Figures should be weighted to take this 'skew' into account.

[Kromovaracun]

Warning: Generalisations incoming.

Based on personal experience and testimony of others, I have to say that very often (and I'm generalising furiously here), women can be difficult to work with. Men, when pushed, can (though often don't) raise their hands and admit that they've screwed up. Women (partly because of their determination due to discrimination, I think) tend to stand much more firmly by their actions (even when they're clearly wrong). They're just as good when things go well, but getting a woman (or worse, a gay man) to admit they've messed up is often nigh impossible.

I'm not saying men never do this, but they're generally a bit less likely to when we're talking about high-level businesspeople.

That's not an excuse for lower pay, though. In fact I imagine that'd only make the situation worse. There' absolutely no reason women should be paid less than men (and let's not forget there are also some pretty incompetent men out there for whom I'd say a pay defecit is far more merited....).

[andrea81]

Pay should suit the job, not the gender, but as a woman, I know that if I wanted to be a successful career woman I would have think hard about it as babies do change things.

Like I said, I couldn't work 100% to my best after having my son, I was too tired and priorities took my mind to my family!

Not a popular view but I can't really blame an industry for being a little worried about a women work force. i.e.. what if an inire workforce were to be women who all took a year off work to have a baby?????

[horsestache1]

Loosehead. I'm female have a family ( two daughters, thankfully) and am a Company Director!!!!

Come on girls (how insulting). Its a personal choice, female staff can reach the top, and should be paid for doing so.

Having said that there are still cases even in the muli national Company I work for, where women are paid less than men. Its wrong simple.

[andrea81]

Of course its wrong, like I said. Pay should suit the job not gender, but there will never be equality! Not in my lifetime!