Outplacement or the Glass Ceiling

¶ … Women Happy Under the Glass Ceiling?

Source (publication name or URL): http://www.forbes.com/2006/03/07/glass-ceiling-opportunities -- cx_hc_0308glass.html

Hannah Clark

Publication Date: 2006.

Subject / Main Ideas / Concepts of article: The main subject of the article is the "glass ceiling," which is a term that pertains to women rising to leadership positions in organizations. The term refers to an invisible ceiling that keeps women from rising to the very top levels of management in many organizations. The articles talks about a study that shows that 70% of women and 57% of men believe the glass ceiling exists, and that it exists in other countries around the world, as well as in the United States. The study also showed that both sexes felt they were paid fairly (even though women make less than men do), and that American women were happy with their levels of success.

Another point was that women in America tend to want to rise to the top executive positions, but many women in other countries do not. The article wonders if women are happy with the glass ceiling, because they often choose to spend less time at work and more time with their families. Even women managers want different things from their jobs than men do. They want satisfaction in their career, meaningful interaction with others, and to give back to the community in most cases. Another point is that more women are working in their own businesses than ever before, and that number jumped 17% between 1997 and 2006. Women can choose their own hours, often be closer to their children, and still make an income while working for themselves, and they do not have to settle for less pay, either.

Identify points that seemed new or insightful to you:

I have read that women did not rise in corporations like men do before, and the term is not new to me. However, the idea that women are not worried about the pay gap as much as they used to worry about it was surprising to me, because that seems like it would be a big concern for most women. I was also surprised that baby boomers are not worried about pay gaps, either, as many of these women were the feminists of the 1970s, and it seems like issues that the same work for less pay would set them off and make them angry.