That's A Man's Job

The debate over the place of women in the workplace has been going on since for centuries, evolving with the times but an issue that never seems completely resolved. Feminism during the 20th century was a strong social force, urging women to enter the workforce and end sexist stereotypes that women's only job was that of a homemaker. However, as more women did begin entering the workforce, the debate shifted from whether or not they should work, but which jobs they should hold.

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In Don DeLillo's satirical novel, "White Noise", he lampoons the stereotypical differences between men and women in the workforce through the jobs held by the character Jack and his wife, Babette.

Jack is a Hitler Studies Professor at the University. All of his academic peers are men and any of the academic programs the book discusses are all related to men: Hitler Studies, Elvis Studies, the Study of Car Crashes, etc.

However, Babette is another story. Jack describes her work, saying: "Basically, she is teaching them how to stand, sit and walk. Most of her students are old" (27).

The wife is relegated to the job of teaching old people, commonly stereotyped as infantile, how to do basic physical actions, such as walking (an activity mastered by a three year old). DeLillo is commenting on the stereotype that women should stay in "nurturing" positions, in which they put maternal instincts to good use.

Although DeLillo is stereotyping jobs held by women, a survey done by AOL shows that the top three jobs held by women are secretaries, nurses, and elementary school teachers. There are women holding top executive positions, typically "male" jobs. However, there are only 12 female CEOs in Fortune 500 companies.

Are DeLillo's satirical jabs hitting a little too close to home? Despite all the progress since the second and third waves of feminism, why are women still facing such challenges in the economic sphere?

I'm No Feminist

Why do women shy away from proclaiming themselves feminists?

This is a question that Deborah Siegel addresses in her book Sisterhood, Interrupted, analyzing second and third wave feminism and how politics and pop culture played a role in how they developed.

According to a TIME/CNN poll that Siegel cites, 94% of women said that the feminist movement helped women become more independent and 82% said that it was still improving the lives of women, but only 33% of women identified themselves as feminists (115).

Of the many factors contributing to public attitude that Siegel analyzed, one that kept jumping out at me was comments made by celebrity icons. She quotes Shakira saying: "I'm not a feminist, no. At least I wouldn't like to hang that sign around my neck" (23) and Jennifer Anniston, who reassured she wasn't a "bleeding heart feminist" (9).

Siegel also quotes a line from Bridget Jone's Diary, a highly popular and no doubt influential novel: "Nothing is more unattractive to a man than a feminist". Young women like to identify with celebrities and follow pop culture ideas. With all kinds of media pushing this negative feminist stereotype of crazy, undesirable women, this generation's women are bombarded with warped ideas towards feminism that are hard to break.

How can girls be expected for formulate their own opinions if popular culture is effectively deciding it for them?