Women in the Workforce

Critical Resource Response: "OP-ED: While Women Progress, Men Fall Behind"

In the past, certain careers have been male dominated while others have been female dominated. However, as times change, opportunities are more available to break these standards. In the article “OP-ED: While Women Progress, Men Fall Behind” by Joseph Chamie, he addresses the ongoing changes of career demographics as well as the empowerment of women. On the other hand, he also claims that this empowerment is belittling the rights of men. The empowerment of women now does not diminish the male gender, particularly in the work force because there is more space, fewer barriers to break, and equal opportunities.

While more and more women are entering primarily male jobs, men are not doing the same in female jobs. In the past century, “the percent of women attending medical schools” and entering politics “has steadily risen in many countries… reaching parity with men.” As this occurs, women create space for men to enter primarily female jobs. Men are not taking advantage of this new space and are letting the standards hold them back, while women are seeking to change them. Specifically, this empowerment of women is not taking away from the possibilities of men regarding the issue of space.

According to Chamie, males are being excluded from female dominated occupations while females are being empowered to enter male dominated careers. He says, “the glass floor is an invisible barrier limiting men’s entry into more traditional female occupations…” This is not created by women’s empowerment but men themselves. The stereotypes associated with these challenges are preventing men from pursuing female jobs, as they are afraid to change the standards. The glass floor is capable of being broken by men, just as the glass ceiling is by women. Therefore, these barriers do not take away from men’s career opportunities; neither does education.

Previously, education differences made pursuing specific careers difficult; however, education is widely available today. This gives all sexes an equal chance to obtain the job they desire. Chamie states, “increasing numbers of women can pursue education, employment and careers… in much the same way as men.” This statement is true, which is why men should not be held back by educational standards. They have the necessary resources available to them to obtain any job they want, just as women do. So, the issue of education is obsolete when referring to women empowerment impacting men’s ability to enter those careers.

Overall, perspectives of certain career fields have changed over the years. In contrast to some of Chamie’s points, women empowerment in these fields does not take away from that of men. With today’s resources, both men and women have equal opportunities to fill the space, break the standards, and receive the education for any job they desire. As a result, it is a matter of taking advantage of available opportunities as men and women have an equal chance to obtain any career desired. The resources are available to change the standards and neither sex should let stereotypes hold them back.

Word Count: 498

Chamie, Joseph. “OP-ED: While Women Progress, Men Fall Behind.” OP-ED: While Women

Progress, Men Fall Behind | Inter Press Service, 10 Mar. 2014,

www.ipsnews.net/2014/03/op-ed-women-progress-men-falling-behind/.