Introduction
There are many examples of differences in perceived roles between men and women that have led to women being discriminated against:
- Men have normally held power. Most people live in societies controlled by male attitudes and values.When women were allowed to enter paid employment, many jobs were barred to them. Today, women do most of the world’s work, but get 10% of world income and own 2% of world property.
- Male terms are used - chairman, masterpiece, statesman, forefathers, God the Father.
- In 1918, women got the vote, but only women over 30 who had property, or been to university. In 1928 - women were allowed to vote as equals with men.
- Women have been stereotyped as suitable only as mothers, child-rearers and servants of men. In the past, women spent almost all their adult lives producing and looking after children. Education was limited. Very few jobs were available to them. They were expected to marry, give up jobs and look after husband / family. This changed after World War II; it was more acceptable for women to work.
- In the UK fewer than 1 in every 6 top people in universities is a woman. To be fair, 3 out of every 6 should be women.
- Only 1 out of every 10 top people in big companies is a woman.
