Female Inequalities Within the Workplace

   When reading Barbara Kingsolver's short story, "Why I Am a Danger to the Public," I find that her message on sexism is very strong and inspiring. It allowed me to view the cruel inequalities of the workplace through the character of Vicki Morales'. Vicki physically does not look strong, but deep inside she is tough and does not take bull from anyone. The one statement that stayed in my head when reading this story is when Vicki states "I was not going to support my kids in no little short skirt down at the Frosty King," (Kingsolver 397). She depicts on how society views women and the sexist assumptions that supports the degradation of females.
   What I find so rousing about Vicki Morales is that she is a freedom fighter. She explains to her children, "All I ever done was defend my union,"(Kingsolver 401). She wants her children to know that she is fighting for something she has a passion for. Other than her children, the union is all she has. Vicki must fight in the pursuit for equality in the workplace that has predominately male workers.

 Women are constantly battling for equal rights with men.[1]

   Barbara Kingsolver's story is a prime example of gender inequality that continues to sweep the nation today. It annoys me that in the 21st century, equal rights for women are still an issue. According to Psych Central, "The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites women working 41 to 44 hours per week earn 84.6% of what men working similar hours earn,"(Gender Discrimination). The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was specifically designed to abolish the discrepancy of unequal pay due to sex. The fact that a woman can be equally qualified for a position as much as a man but still gets a lower salary is ridiculous. If they are both doing the same job and working the same hours I find it baffling as to why that law is overlooked. Women are still paid at a lower rate and it is not fair.

Women should be entitled to bring just as much bacon home as men.[2] 

     Within an article on Cliffsnotes, "Traditionally, the female stereotypical role is to marry and have children,"(Gender Stereotypes). Society and the media like to portray women as housewives that cook and clean that have fragile sympathetic souls. But I refuse to think that that is all I am entitled to be in my life. Susan B. Anthony once quoted, “It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.... Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less,” (Quotations). I applaud women that break down those stereotypical barriers and are a positive influence to others that strive to break through the glass ceiling and become a success story. Women can do just about anything a man can, but society has yet to admit to it. It has taken years for women in the past to pave ways for the modern woman, but it still is not enough to highlight the true capabilities of a woman.