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.

Courtesy of Google Images

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?