Multi Cultural Roles Of Women In Business

OUTLINE

1. Introduction

a. Women in business

b. Personal interest in subject

c. Women in the world

2. History of Women in US

a. Women's rights

b. Women's rise

c. Women today

3. History of Women in the World

a. Women's firsts

b. Places where women are currently oppressed

c. Other women's movements outside of US

4. Women in business

a. Europe

b. Asia

c. Latin America/Caribbean

d. Africa/Middle East

5. Cultural Sensitivity

a. US Corporations in other nations

b. Women holding jobs in other nations

c. Significance of knowledge prior to entering market

6. Conclusion

a. Pros v. cons of women in business

b. Governmental involvement

c. Future predictions

d. Reality

Although women in business have not been generally thought of in leading roles until more recent years, they have been crucial in the growth and success of many industries and corporations throughout history. Since the beginning of time, women have supported, patronized, and managed countless businesses all over the world. Women are faced with certain challenges in business, however, and must sometimes find ways to overcome difficult obstacles. One fact that cannot be disputed is that women have benefited the business world and are going to increasingly continue to be involved in business worldwide from today forward.

Young women in modern society in the United States have long been told to follow their dreams and challenge themselves to reach their goals. Occupations that were once limited to men have now become significant opportunities for young women. The national average of women attending graduate business school, however, is a mere 29 percent of students. This statistic potentially signifies a major fault within business and its sincerity regarding a desire for women to enter the business world.

The United States business market is not alone in its women centered issues. The United States is actually one of the friendlier places for women in business to be employed. Many other countries in the world have stricter guidelines for women to follow and companies have not opened up their higher management positions to female candidates. Differences in other parts of the world are based on religion, family structure, financial regulations, national laws, and many other reasons. While much progress has been made to allow women the right to provide for themselves, there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Women in the United States and around the world have been faced with and fought against oppression for decades and in some places, centuries. With determination and some very strong female trailblazers, women in the US specifically today are able to enjoy general legal equality and freedom. Beginning in 1893 when Colorado first allowed women the right to vote, followed by the federal passing of the 19th amendment in 1920 which granted all women in the US voting rights, women's civil liberties in the United States has exploded.

Women were long considered naturally weaker than men, squeamish, and unable to perform work requiring muscular or intellectual development. In most preindustrial societies, for example, domestic chores were delegated to women, leaving 'heavier' labor such as hunting and plowing to men. Maternity, the natural biological role of women, has traditionally been regarded as their major social role as well. The resulting stereotype that 'a woman's place is in the home' has largely determined the ways in which women have expressed themselves. Formal education for girls historically has been secondary to that for boys also.

During the early history of the United States, a man virtually owned his wife and children as he did his material possessions. Equity law had a liberalizing effect upon the legal rights of women in the United States. In the 19th century, women began working outside their homes in large numbers, notably in textile mills and garment shops. During the 1960s several federal laws improving the economic status of women were passed. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 required equal wages for men and women doing equal work. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination against women by any company with 25 or more employees. Until well into the 20th century, women in Western European countries lived under many of the same legal disabilities as women in the United States.

As women have struggled and worked their way up the corporate ladder, the world has taken notice. Women are succeeding in all industries and with all kinds of companies. The current list of the most powerful top women chief executives includes women leading large, well known, international, Fortune 500 corporations. Companies including Pepsi, Xerox, EBay, Kraft, Citigroup, Proctor & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Viacom, IBM, Fidelity, Morgan Stanley, Dupont, General Electric, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Lockheed Martin, Sony, and others are embracing women at the helm and at numerous top level positions.

Alongside the numerous successes women have accomplished, there are also enduring struggles. In particular male dominated industries, the existence of a 'glass ceiling' is prevalent. This situation is referred to as a 'ceiling' as there is a limitation blocking upward advancement, and 'glass' (transparent) because the limitation is not immediately apparent and is normally an unwritten and unofficial policy. The 'glass ceiling' is distinguished from formal barriers to advancement, such as education or experience requirements. Although discrimination of any form can create the glass ceiling, sexism is usually