ESSAY 2. 

The beliefs culture has had on women and men and how they are “like” has deeply affected the views and actions of society. From how/where they work, to how they are treated not only on the job but also at home, and the recognition they receive from the work they do or do not do. In text Exploring the Managed Heart by C. Wright Mills and in article The Politics of Housework by Pat Mainardi, both authors seem to come to an agreement that society has utterly managed to segregate women and men when it comes to making a living.

The ideas about gender affects the work one does in many ways. In society it is believed that women are more “emotional” so therefore they should work at home, take care of kids, work at nursing homes, become nurses, or any job that requires an emotional attachment to another person. While men are believed to be professional, strong, and sophisticated, so therefore they are viewed as doctors, office men, negotiators, construction men, and mostly jobs that are “white-collar” or jobs that require physical strength. Centuries ago it was believed that women should be absolute “housewives,” women did not have careers, they stayed home, took care of kids, cleaned the house, and had events with the rest of the housewifes. Although over the centuries, times have changed, most cultures still have the same kind of idea. For example, now a days, a couple with children, both have careers, and both work busy jobs. Although both work, it seems like the wife tends to work double. At work and at home. She might confront her spouse about it. It only seems fair that if both have jobs, then both should be doing housework. Yet something seems to happen when most men are confronted with house work, “I don’t mind sharing the housework, but I don’t do it very well. We should each do things that we’re best at.” (Paragraph 4, The Politics of Housework) Also suggesting that it is in a woman’s nature to do house work, not in mens. Stereotypes like “It is in your nature” have essentially set this mindset to the working community. For example, although it is illegal now, women were once (and still may be) paid less than a man who does the exact job as her. Why? It was believed that men worked due to the fact that they had to maintain their wife and family. Which was true, but it was also believed that women worked just to have a little more money in their pockets. Which might of been true but not always. So due to that little stereotype, till this day (although illegal in the United States) some women are paid less than men. (To be continued)