| It is through this process that we negotiate, through | | | | I never had the opportunity to read the entire script. |
| constant self-development, our position as to where | | | | Would it have made any difference if I had? Not |
| we fit in. Once our role is defined, we begin the | | | | likely. I embarked on a career that was equivalent to |
| arduous task of becoming an integral part of this | | | | a high-powered corporate executive today. Have the |
| structure. | | | | agents of socialization changed the status of our role |
| The road to socialization, however, is sometimes | | | | as women? |
| paved with boulders. Specifically, defining one's | | | | Case in point: In 1992, a statistic cited that out of the |
| gender role and how it relates to society's | | | | nations entire Congress, only 6% are women. It was |
| expectations of what that role represents. | | | | stated that "Gender plays an important role in the |
| If it is true that "all the worlds' a stage, and we are | | | | selection of government positions based on ethnicity. |
| merely players in it," then it is society that is choosing | | | | Therefore, the choice will almost always be a man. |
| and directing the script. It is the process by which we | | | | He is more capable of getting funding for his |
| act out the parts of this script that determines our | | | | campaign than his counterpart, whereas a woman will |
| successes and failures. | | | | receive a token pledge." During the 70s, if a woman |
| When I attended high school in the 60's, the | | | | ran for Congress, she would have probably received |
| curriculum consisted of business courses designed for | | | | a $100.00 campaign donation versus a $1000 pledged |
| executive positions. I worked diligently toward this | | | | to her counterpart. |
| goal and eventually became an executive secretary. | | | | Things are quite different today, as evidenced by the |
| While I thought this career was the "Cadillac" of | | | | recent Presidential campaign. However, women have |
| positions, and thus I never dreamed of pursuing | | | | not gained as many seats in Congress as they should. |
| anything else, nor did I feel that I had the attributes | | | | Thus, the script needs to be re-worked. |
| to attain a higher position in the workforce. | | | | Family, religion, education, politics, media hype, and |
| This is what I worked so hard to achieve and yet, | | | | peer pressure all contribute to the social polarization |
| many years later I asked myself: "Is that all there is?" | | | | of women. These agents of socialization do affect |
| While I knew I had potential, I nonetheless knew "my | | | | the identity of the female role in today's society. As |
| place." | | | | one struggles to maintain individuality, it is amazing |
| Almost 45 years and many successful careers later, I | | | | that anyone could survive the scrutiny that is |
| have returned to the one facet of my life that I | | | | dispensed by society. |
| ignored - writing. My self-development was thwarted, | | | | Forty five years ago, I had the ability to climb the |
| not because of my unrealistic expectations, but | | | | ladder of success. What I lacked, however, was the |
| because of the restrictions placed upon me by | | | | understanding that I could. Today, I have the ability |
| society's definition of women in the workplace. | | | | to achieve and become the best at whatever I wish |
| These standards were waiting for me on the stage | | | | to be. What I gained is the understanding that I can. |
| along with my diploma. My lines had been written, but | | | | |