Dear Editor,
In several countries women continue to dominate attendance at universities. Here in Jamaica is no different.
Jamaican females are doing so well that they account for 59 per cent of management positions in the country, according to a recent study conducted by the International Labour Organization. However, notwithstanding the rise of women, some continue to argue that their progress is being stymied by a patriarchal system. Critics often cite studies suggesting that more men are involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professions to suggest that women are being marginalised.
Furthermore, the World Economic Forum recently released a study indicating that women in Jamaica earn 60 per cent of their male counterparts’ pay. This study has led some to believe that the disparity is due to discrimination. However, deeper analysis will show that a number of factors can account for this disparity.
In Britain, women in their 20s out-earn men, but by 30 their earning power declines. But as leading activist Sam Smethers noted recently in The Guardian, women would get more senior roles if they were offered on a part-time or job-share basis.
The paucity of women in STEM professions, particularly computer science is also a common complaint of gender-equality activists. In 2009, however, researchers of the University of Kansas concluded that the main reason for the under-representation of women was not discrimination or even mathematical abilities, but general preferences. So it should not be surprising that people-oriented professions, like nursing and social work, are dominated by women. We should, therefore, not argue that women are lagging behind on some indices because of discrimination. Feminists need to understand this fact and desist from making divisive assertions.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com
In several countries women continue to dominate attendance at universities. Here in Jamaica is no different.
Jamaican females are doing so well that they account for 59 per cent of management positions in the country, according to a recent study conducted by the International Labour Organization. However, notwithstanding the rise of women, some continue to argue that their progress is being stymied by a patriarchal system. Critics often cite studies suggesting that more men are involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professions to suggest that women are being marginalised.
Furthermore, the World Economic Forum recently released a study indicating that women in Jamaica earn 60 per cent of their male counterparts’ pay. This study has led some to believe that the disparity is due to discrimination. However, deeper analysis will show that a number of factors can account for this disparity.
In Britain, women in their 20s out-earn men, but by 30 their earning power declines. But as leading activist Sam Smethers noted recently in The Guardian, women would get more senior roles if they were offered on a part-time or job-share basis.
The paucity of women in STEM professions, particularly computer science is also a common complaint of gender-equality activists. In 2009, however, researchers of the University of Kansas concluded that the main reason for the under-representation of women was not discrimination or even mathematical abilities, but general preferences. So it should not be surprising that people-oriented professions, like nursing and social work, are dominated by women. We should, therefore, not argue that women are lagging behind on some indices because of discrimination. Feminists need to understand this fact and desist from making divisive assertions.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com