The courses for women only were designed to inspire women to pursue the sciences. This does not mean that the courses are trying to discriminate against men; they are simply trying to get women to develop an interest in science. Most men already have this incentive, and do not need an extra push in the right direction. The science courses for women also encourage them to overcome precedents not set for men.
This is an example of a website dedicated to supporting women in science:
While few people earn minimum wages, many earn just enough to support themselves with low paying jobs. There are also a number of teenagers in low paying jobs. While some teenagers do this to earn money on the side, others work in low paying jobs for a living. This contributes to poverty, which, in turn, contributes to a lower class.
I think that the types of jobs people have indicate the presence of a class system. For example, a number of people in the U.S. clean houses and take out trash. As a result, they do not earn as much money as a doctor or teacher. This forces them to live in poor conditions.
Just as another thought, men are not completely equal to women. Men often have stereotype images of how they should be, and this limits them. For example, some men may not want to be teachers because the job is too "feminine", or enjoy "girly" pursuits such as knitting for fear of being teased. Men are also thought of as being "violent" and "emotional", which is not always the case. I think that society has made generalizations about both genders, and this holds them back. If people removed these views, men and women could behave as they wished without feeling pressured.
I agree; I think that women are starting to see the advantage of following a goal, because they are making some advances in scientific fields and in other jobs that men would usually have. Sometimes, they may become discouraged due to social and/or family pressure.
Women also faced some inequality in terms of social standards. Some behaviors that women indulged in were frowned upon, yet it was socially acceptable for men to indulge in them. For instance, in the 1920's, flappers began to drink, cut their hair into boyish bobs, and smoke. As a result, they were looked down upon by the older generations. However, men got away with all of these behaviors. Nowadays, women can indulge in these behaviors, but there are still people who frown upon them.
I understand what you are saying. However, social, economic, and academic status all seem to be related, and there is a definite difference between families that earn more and families who live on low wages. The social status of low income families is generally lower than that of high income families. The academic status of low income families is also generally lower than high income families (with the exception of "rags to riches" stories). This academic status ultimately affects social status (professors, for instance, are usually respected). Is there a class system? I think there is a definite monetary gap between the rich and the poor that is not an issue of perception and that affects other identities.
The evidence for the argument above came from a magazine called .
There is definitely a class system in the U.S., otherwise people would be leading fairly similar lifestyles with similar incomes. While the system is quite harmful to people, it also seems to be closely entwined with the economy. Is there some way to reduce the harshness of the system, while making life more comfortable for people and supporting the economy? If the economy is damaged, there will be one class in the U.S.: poverty.
I agree, but to what extent is the class system in the U.S.? Is there some evidence in statistics that can tell us what key measures to take? When you say, "We will just worry about making a ceiling..........but this is not what our country needs to worry about," what do you mean? Should we be dealing with this issue?
I think that women nowadays have to overcome the precedents set by past generations (such as the fact that women are "weak"). It is certainly possible; take women in the twenties for instance. While men were fighting in WW1, women took over their jobs and performed them successfully. This alerted the government to the capabilities of women, and women won the right to vote. There are many successful women in the present; people simply have to pay attention to their accomplishments.
I certainly agree that we should do all we can to create a solid "middle class", especially donating. This will make life more comfortable for a lot of people. However, a single class society would mean that all citizens earn roughly the same amount per year. What would happen to the different types of jobs? How would our economy react?
The class system also affects America as a whole; not everyone has equal opportunities. Children from rich families will be well supported and their talents will be harnessed. They could become revolutionary figures. Children from low income families will not have an opportunity to learn new skills and develop their talents. As a result, they may find it difficult to climb the social ladder. While there are people who can fulfill this “rags to riches” dream, few succeed and go on to higher positions. This puts the U.S. at a disadvantage, as so much potential and talent is wasted. I think that America should continue to find ways to educate young people from kindergarten to college; this can really help benefit not only America but citizens as well.
In the past, women have filled the roles of parent and housewife. Nowadays, however, women are making great strides in professional careers and the sciences. Although men and women may not be given equal job opportunities yet, society is starting to recognize women as being “equal” to men.
One example of this can be found in our own community. Two years ago, a math/science day for girls only was held at MSU. The day consisted of four selected courses that exposed many fields of science such as entomology. Institutions all over the country are now creating similar programs to inspire future women.
Although the United States has taken many measures to ensure the equality of its citizens, there is still a noticeable gap between the incomes of people. This discrepancy is responsible for a class system within the U.S., which, in turn, can permanently affect Americans’ lifestyles. For instance, families with more money can afford to invest lavishly in their children’s education, whether it be mandolin lessons, Mandarin, or golf. As a result, these children are more likely to be successful in school. In addition, colleges tend to accept applicants who come from wealthy backgrounds, knowing that they can pay full tuition, and possibly donate. This makes it difficult for children from lower income families to rise to high paying positions.