http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_16/b4080058309099.htm
This article describes the situation in South Korea with women entering the workforce. I found some interesting parallels with our current recession and South Korea's financial crisis. Many women in America are now entering into the business world with staggering numbers due to the fact that men are losing their jobs and women are stepping in to make money for their families. The same thing is happening in South Korea. "Thousands of men lost their jobs and took salary cuts" so women stepped in to work from home, and other job positions. Now the government has banned gender discrimination in the work place.
This is refreshing to see even in a country that still believes the man should be over the woman, that women are finally able to compete alongside the men. There are still issues, however. Again there are some parallels with the U.S. For example, one woman said she had to put 120% more effort than her male counterparts in order to get ahead. This is frustrating that the same mistakes are being made all over again. The men use the excuse that women are not aggressive enough, so they do not get promoted as much. The men in S. Korea need to look at the women in the U.S. and they need to see how we rose to where we are. They need to understand they are wrong. Women can display the same aggressive attitude to their work that men can. I also want to point out that the same qualities that are said to make a good male manager, do not work with women managers. When women display these qualities they are seen as to aggressive. I foresee that the women in S. Korea will have to go through the same thing that women in America are going though now. It is a long road to success, but hopefully it is a road taken.
I am happy to see progress is being made, however. My recommendation to the women in S. Korea is to keep working hard. Do what it takes to get ahead, and prove the men wrong. We as women have to work harder and play by the boys rules in order to get ahead. Unfortunately this is the best we can do until things get better. Some women may think that I am wrong for saying we need to play by the boys rules, but I think that they are naive to think that they can walk in and change the system overnight. Again, unfortunately, this is the best we can do right now.
Anna Swacker
I believe employers should hire on the basis of qualifications, recommendations, and previous experience. It is not fair for employers to hire solely on gender biased and societies perspective of the role of men over women to provide for their families. If women want to pursue their professional career go out and work your tail of and go get it. I wish these women the best of luck in the business world.
ReplyDelete-Mitchell Terry-
I agree with Mitchell. It is not fair that women are looked at as not as hard working or whatever their excuse may be. What difference does it make? If a women is just as qualified if not more for a position I think she should have just as likely a shot of gaining the position as her male counterpart. In all of the leadership models that we have looked at in class not one of them is geared more towards a different gender, race, or nationality. This leads me to believe that anyone, with the right traits, skill set, or style can be a leader. They just need the will power to go out there and get it.
ReplyDelete-Danielle Sparacino
I also agree with Mitchell, people should only be evaluated based on their qualifications and experience. Things like gender shouldn't even come into the equation. I also agree with Anna about how frustrating it is to see another country going through the same equality issues. All the people in South Korea needs to really look at is our recent history and to see how we've benefited from having women in the work place. Eventually they'll catch up, but it's unfortunate to see that there are people that are lagging behind the times.
ReplyDelete-Geoffrey Ali