High Voltage/Getting Dressed2B
From Create Your Own Story
I picked out a blue long-sleeved shirt, a white scarf, and black leggings. None of these items would have been something I wore before. The blue color of the shirt was a sort of security blanket, the one familiarity among all the strange and bizarre. The leggings were so thin I felt incredibly exposed when I wore them. The shirt also seemed thin, holding tightly to my body. I threw the white scarf around my neck. Although I knew the scarf was fashionable, it was my camouflage; I hoped to blend in with the other women in class. I didn't want to look different or be suspected for being anything other than how I appeared. I decided to leave my hair down today. I found a pair of black boots in the bottom of the closet, and put them on. I was ready to go to class.
My ethics class was small, there were only about 25 desks. I sat towards the back of the room and watched as the other students slowly filed in. The professor began to drone on about today's topic of gender equality in the workplace.
"A commonly quoted statistic is that a woman in paid 77 cents for every dollar that a man earns," he began. "This does not consider difference in positions accepted or in hours worked. Many women choose to work part-time after they have children. Obviously a woman working 30 hours a week should not have the same take-home salary as a man working 40 hours. However, women are often passed over for management opportunities, locking them out of high paying career tracks. Do you think there really is a gender gap, and if so, how should it be addressed?" The professor looked around the room. "Thomas, let's start with you."
"Uhh, I don't think there is a gender gap, and I don't think it should be particularly addressed." He paused, "We have a free-market economy, and companies should be able to choose who they want for management positions. If a woman is the best-qualified candidate, it is in the best interest of the company to promote her. Legislation that forces companies to promote women might help women, but might not always be in the best interest of the business."
"Thank you for your reply Tom, but let's get a different perspective now." He began looking in my direction, "Lauren, why don't you give us your take. Does the gender gap exist, and how should it be fixed?"
Should I:
