Women in the Workforce

Women who are in jobs or positions that are predominantly viewed as “men’s work” may masculinize themselves in order to be viewed as rightly in that job or position. For example, it was found that “Hillary Clinton’s language became more masculinize the higher she climbed the political ladder."
Women in Armed Forces
The 19th Amendment passed on May 21, 1919, was a milestone in history permitting women to vote but this did not mean that inequalities they fought to oppress had ended. Women were still looked down upon in several workplaces, even in the armed forces, until the Women's Armed Services Integration Act became law on June 12, 1948. This historic day, now known as Women's Veterans Day, granted women the right to serve as permanent regular members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Although women served in the military during World War 1 as staff members and nurses, and World War 2 as part of the military intelligence, cryptography, and parachute rigging, this law allowed them to claim the same benefits as men, alongside allowing them to make a career in the Army or Navy.
Women continued to make progress after the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act passed. In 1976, women were first admitted to America’s service academies - the U.S Naval Academy in Annapolis Md., the U.S Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., and the U.S Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Moreover, in 2016, Army Captain Kristen Griest became the first female infantry officer in American history, proving that the “We Can Do It” mentality continues to strive in women - changing the game for everyone.
Jobs Dominated by Women
The role of women in society shifted once they were granted entry to the workforce in the mid 19th century. While women were expected to get married and have kids, now they have the option to continue pursuing a career that generations of women suffragettes fought to obtain. This opportunity allowed for a change in the workforce - occupations once overpowered by men are not dominated by women.
As of 2016, 59.1% of women work as a veterinarian, mirroring the growing trend of women entering science and engineering occupations. Natural science managers witnessed a decrease in the number of men in the field and an increase in women. Between 2000 and 2017, the number of men working as natural science managers decreased from 11,500 to 8,464. While for women, it increased from 4,990 in 2000 to 9,452 in 2017, making up 52.8% of this field. Moreover, less than two decades ago, about 40% of pharmacists were women, making up 54.6% of this field.
Women now make up 71% of opticians and animal trainers. About 65% of public relations specialists, office machine operators, graders and sorters in agricultural products, and social and community managers are women. A little over 50% of authors, compliance officers, lodging managers, parking enforcement workers, and production planning clerks are women.
This ongoing trend proves that women are slowly working their way up in the workforce.
History of Women in the Workforce
Women in the workforce are demeaned when set side by side with occupations of men. Suppose it is human nature to choose which being is superior to the other. For so long, society has imposed a stereotypical ideal on women of staying home, taking care of their children and animals, and maintaining their vegetable garden, resulting in the categorization of their work to be home-based. The correlation between home-based work and women's work in society degraded women's work as a whole, giving off the impression that their work is easier than men’s, disregarding their unpaid work at home.
Working-class women in Victorian England mainly worked in factories, family businesses, or in domestic services for wealthy households however this was considered as home-based work since it usually dealt with doing laundry, babysitting, finishing garments, etc. - so official records of what women worked in were left unclear.
Women’s work in the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century included work in clothing factories, textiles, coal and tin mines, and working in commerce or on farms. The 1911 census showed that its domestic service was the largest employer for women and girls, housing about 28% of women in England and Wales. Several employed in small industries such as shirt, nail, or chain making, but these jobs were known as sweated industries since working hours were long and the pay was low.
Now, women have opportunities that can result in major roles in society for them. According to Our World Data, women's participation in labor markets has increased throughout the world, showing that the movement several fought for equality between genders has been improving.

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