Question

1 What is the role of socialization in women’s and men’s “choice” of occupations and how do these relationships affect sex segregation and the wage gap?

Answer 1

The girls are raised differently from boys in most of the societies in line with the beliefs and typical roles that both genders are expected to play in the society when they grow up. This is more prominent in developing nations and more conservatve societies where the gender roles are often fixed right from the moment the child is born. The girls are treated differently, and often more stringent controls are exercised in their upbringing to ensure that they confrom to the social norms of being a girl and mould in the format designed for them by the society to take care of their future roles as caregivers, bearer of children, manager of houshold affairs and facilitator / integrator for family, and expected to raise the next generation according to norms. What is inculcated in their minds is the fact that they have to make meals, bear and raise children and play their part in social obligations, whatever their education and job might be. This scenario leaves very few job types suitable for women whose promary responsibilities remain the same, and it is considered better if she earns. The jobs in manufacturing, aviation, architecture, medicine and other similar sectors are demanding of time ad efforts, and a woman need to decide between job ad family roles a one point of time, where she is foced to take jobs like teaching, nursing, hospitality or office related roles or the like which are less rigorous and demand less time commitment. Many girls don't even think of high paying, high profile and high responsibility roles, because it will affect their prospects of marriage and starting a family, and being an " active member" of society. This explains why there are too many women teachers or office clerks, receptionists or hospitality attendants. Being considered as off - mainstream roles, these gender seggregated jobs often pay less, which contribute to the negative perception of women as workers and the subsequent wage gap.