Sociology Now, Census Update

upward within their organization into management level positions” (Martin, 1991,

p. 1). For example, women hold less than 14 percent of all corporate board seats.

The 30 highest-paid women in corporate America earn only 7.7 percent of what the

30 highest-paid men do (Anderson, et al., 2006).

One reason the glass ceiling persists is because of the stereotypes about ambitious

women. In a famous Supreme Court case (Price Waterhouse v.Hopkins, 1989), a

woman was not promoted to partner of a prestigious accounting firm, even though

she had outperformed all the male candidates who were promoted. Her supervisors

said she wasn’t ladylike enough and advised her “to walk more femininely, talk more

femininely, dress more femininely, wear makeup, have her hair styled and wear

jewelry.” The Court ordered that she be compensated and made partner.

The “glass ceiling” is different for men when they enter traditionally female-

dominated occupations. As we note in the chapter on the economy and work, soci-

ologist Christine Williams found that male librarians, nursery school teachers, and

nurses do not hit a glass ceiling but rather ride a “glass escalator” to the top—in

part as a way to preserve masculinity. Male nurses and librarians are promoted to

administrative positions much more rapidly than their female colleagues (Williams,

1992, 1995).

Sexual Harassment at Work.Sexual harassment is also a form of gender discrimination

in the workplace. Sexual harassmentcreates an unequal work environment by

singling out women for different treatment. There are two types of sexual harassment.

The first type is called quid pro quo harassment, and it occurs when a supervisor uses

his (or her) position to try to elicit sexual activity from a subordinate by threatening

to fire, or promising to promote, or even just repeatedly pressuring a subordinate for

a date or for sex. The second type is called hostile environment, and it occurs when a

person feels threatened or unsafe because of the constant teasing or threatening by

302 CHAPTER 9SEX AND GENDER

Women and Politics

As a result of the 2006 midterm elections, the United States has its first female speaker of the

House of Representatives. We also have a female secretary of state, but as of this writing, we

have never had a female president. While women are gaining more seats in politics here in the

United States, the gender distribution is still very unequal, with local and state governments

tending to have more female representatives than the national government. Still, attitudes

toward women in politics vary and change over time. So, what do you think?

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

9.2

What

do

you

think

1.Most men are better suited emotionally for politics

than are most women.

❍Agree

❍Disagree

2.If your party nominated a woman for president, would

you vote for her if she was qualified for the job?

❍Yes

❍No

❍Wouldn’t vote

?