Page 237 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

Microaggressions in the Workplace/Employment 211

Diversification of the Workforce

The workforce of the United States is undergoing one of the most dramatic,
sweeping changes of all time. Two of these can literally be described as the
feminization of the workforce (Taylor & Kennedy, 2003) and the changing
complexion of the workforce (Sue, Parham, & Santiago, 1998). These changes

are especially significant for not only the world of work, but our society as
well (Stevens, Plaut, & Sanches - Burks, 2008).

Feminization of the Workforce
Women now comprise 46.5% of the total U.S. labor force and they will reach
47% by the year 2016 (U.S. Department of Labor, 2009). The net increase in
the labor force for women has progressively shown an upward trend: 38%
in 1970; 42% in 1980; 45% in 1990; and over the next 10 - year period from 2006
to 2016 will account for 49% of the growth (U.S. Department of Labor, 1992,
2009). The trend affects both single women and married women. Married
women in 1950 accounted for less that 25% of the labor force; now, however,
58% of married women work. More complicated and stressful for women
employees, however, is that 60% have preschoolers and 75% have school - age
children. Two major issues arise with respect to women in the workforce.
First, women continue to occupy the lower rungs of the occupational
ladder, to encounter the glass ceiling when promotions are considered, and
to be paid much less than their male counterparts (U.S. Department of Labor,
2009). Some of the discrepancy may be due to how women are perceived
through traditional gender - role microaggressions. Interestingly, the disparity
in income and employment in lower paying and/or status occupations can be
seen in the 10 most prevalent occupations for employed women in 2008:

• Secretaries and administrative assistants
• Registered nurses
• Elementary and middle school teachers
• Cashiers
• Retail salespersons
• Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides
• First - line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers
• Waitresses
• Receptionists and information clerks
• Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

1/19/10 6:13:26 PM
c10.indd 211 1/19/10 6:13:26 PM
c10.indd 211