by Stephanie Rodriguez

History

Throughout most of history, women were viewed as having two responsibilities their whole life. Even today, being a good wife and mother are what society expects of women.

Although the first women's rights convention in 1848 marked the start of changes in women's roles, it wasn't until 1920 when the 19th Amendment was passed that women were allowed to vote in the United States. Once women began to vote, other changes took place such as women working more frequently outside the home.

During World War II, there was a tremendous rise of women workers, especially in blue-collar positions. The war gave women the opportunity to work while the men were fighting the war. Although women were working the same jobs as men, they were not getting paid the same wages.

During that time, some women had more than one job to maintain their families while maintaining their household duties. When the war was over, women were forced to leave their jobs because the men had come back to reclaim their old jobs.

Women in the workplace today

Though women have come a long way with their rights, they are still discriminated against.

In 2005, women in the United States were paid 77 cents for every dollar men received for comparable work, according to the America's Movement Union Web site. Most high-end or executive level positions are held by men.

Over a lifetime of work, the average 25-year-old woman working full time until age 65 will earn $523,000 less than the average working man, according to the America's Movement Union Web site.

Women in the military

Though the percentage of women in the U.S. military has increased dramatically since 1980, which is when they were first allowed to serve, women are less likely to go into combat.

Although there are no laws that prohibit women from going into combat, there are laws that prohibit women from going into permanent assignments such as ships and aircrafts, according to a study conducted by the Women's Research and Education Institute. Most of these restrictions are for the Marine Corps, Navy and the Air Force. There are also policies that restrict women's roles in the Army.

Though there some restrictions on women's roles in the military, the Coast Guard and Department of Transportation give women opportunities.

As a matter of fact, the proportion of jobs available to women in the Coast Guard and Department of Transportation is 100 percent compared to other services in the military, according to the study.


Maternity leave

Maternity leave, also known as family or parental leave, is becoming difficult for women in the country. In 1993, the U.S. Family and Medical Leave Act allowed for mothers to have up to 12 weeks off from work.

However, the FMLA does not include smaller companies and it does not guarantee that the time off will be paid. Most women find it hard to have the right to have a family and work because of the lack of maternity leave opportunities in the workplace.

A recent trial in New York proves maternity leave discrimination and lack of opportunities for women today. In July, the trial held in New York claimed that the Suffolk County Police Department discriminates against pregnant police officers by restricting them to working desk duty positions or non-patrol positions during most of their tri-semester pregnancies, according to an American Civil Liberties Union article.The SCPD also does not provide bulletproof vests for women who are pregnant for patrol jobs.

Audio

Cory Armstrong, faculty affiliate for the Center for Women's Studies and Gender Research at the University of Florida, speaks about the disadvantages of maternity leave for women.







Sexual harassment

About 15,000 sexual harassment cases are reported every year in the United States, according to America's Union Movement. Though this number is high, most sexual harassment cases go unreported.

Most women do not report when they have been sexually harassed for fear that they might lose their job. About 40 to 60 percent of women are harassed in the workplace according to government and media surveys.

Audio

Cory Armstrong, faculty affiliate for the Center for Women's Studies and Gender Research at the University of Florida, reveals issues that women face with sexual harassment in the workplace.