Sociology Now, Census Update

straight or gay or bisexual, old or young, Christian, Muslim, or Jew—whatever set
you apart. Let’s say you were the only Latino. At some point, someone turns to you,
innocently enough, and asks, “Well, how do Latinos feel about this?” At that moment,
you become invisible as an individual, but you are hypervisible only as a member of
the group. Of course, the only sensible answer is, “How should I know? I’m just an
individual. I can only answer for myself. But I bet there are sociologists who have sur-
veyed Latinos, and we can find out what most of them think about the question.”

Gender Diversity

In 1900, less than 20 percent of American women (aged 15 and over) worked outside
the home. Today over half do, and the percentage is increasing worldwide.
Surprisingly, women’s employment is highest in poor countries, where everyone
who can work does: 82.8 percent of women in Mozambique, 80.4 percent in Cam-
bodia, and 74.7 percent in Kenya work outside the home. In wealthy OECD coun-
tries, where women in male–female households have the option of staying home,
workforce participation of women (aged 20 to 64) ranges from 76 percent (Denmark)
to 71 percent (United States) to 60 percent (Japan). However, for college-educated
women, the percentages are much higher: 89 percent in Denmark, 82 percent in the
United States, and 63 percent in Japan.
The increase in the number of women in the workforce during the last 50 years
has been called the “quiet revolution,” because its consequences have been gradual,
but wide-sweeping—a transformation of consumer patterns, workplace policies,

DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE 447

Women and Work

Traditional gender roles dictate that men are breadwinners and women are homemakers. But

historically, working outside of the home has not been an option for working-class women; it’s

been a necessity. With the rise and success of the feminist movement of the past several

decades, attitudes about what is proper for men’s and women’s behavior have shifted. It’s now

socially acceptable, even expected, for women to work and contribute financially to the house-

hold. Shifting norms change hand-in-hand with shifting public views. So, what do you think?

See the back of the chapter to compare your answers to national survey data.

13.2

What

do

you

think

❍Approve

❍Disapprove

It is much better for everyone involved if the man is the achiever outside the home and the woman

takes care of the home and family.

Do you approve or disapprove of a married woman earning money in business or industry if she has a

husband capable of supporting her?

?

❍Strongly agree

❍Agree

❍Disagree

❍Strongly disagree