Pay differences between men and women leave a lot to be desired for women. I have heard it said before that men get paid more than women. But, to see it in black and white was an eye opener to say the least. Women make $0.77 per $1.00 that men make (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103979497) for the same work. I have always been a believer that the best person for the job should get the job and that people, regardless of sex, should get paid the same amount of money. CNBC’s Gender Wage Gap: Myth or Reality reported that women have the lowest jobless percentage rate of 7.1%. I do not see how that can be looked at as a good thing when most women do not receive the medical or dental benefits that men receive and they do not get paid the same paycheck. Instead women work two jobs to make ends meet. I think that sex segregation still exists because it is how our culture is defined and when people go against the norm they are ostracized. Slowly, we are branching out and allowing change.
Sex segregation is a cultural invention. Sex segregation in my opinion is having specific jobs for men and specific jobs for women. Cultural norms and stereotypes have dictated what these jobs are. From what I have read and seen more men teach at the University level, but all my professors are women. To be honest, in preparation for this semester and since it has started I have not encountered many men at all.
The socialization I have experienced at home, work, and school goes against patriarchy. Life at home for me was seeing my mom don a hard hat and steel-toed boots and go off to work at the Navajo Generating Station. She works in the man’s world as an electrician. My sister, following in her footprints, is now working there as well as an Operations Specialist. I was in the Navy for four years and my rate (job) was being a gas turbine mechanic. My brothers have always worked in white-collar jobs, as well as my dad. So, for me personally, I do not see our culture as a patriarchy. When I think back to times growing up I know that it has not been easy for my mom. I can remember coming home and finding her crying, but I have never asked her about it. I think that I will change that now and find out what she has gone through and experienced.
Navajo culture is not traditionally patriarchal but government pressure has tried to force the family to assimilate to white-middle-class family lifestyle. We should be learning from cultures that are not traditionally patriarchal rather than trying to change them. Women entering male-dominated occupations increases their salaries and benefits. However, they frequently are isolated and experience sexual harassment. We will discuss this more when we cover the section on women correctional officers. Interesting Blog.
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I know from experience that Navajo's are generally not partiarchal. My mom is the 3rd oldest child in a family of 13, but the oldest women. With all the family get togethers or meetings I see my mom taking charge of everything. When my grandparents passed away, it was my mom who had to organize and get everything in order. In that sense I am glad that my sister is older than I am. She is a much better take charge kind of person.
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