UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1992 Gender discrimination and the future of equality Clotilde Ann Casados Mueller University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Mueller, Clotilde Ann Casados, "Gender discrimination and the future of equality" (1992). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 213. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/4khh-fh4o This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. 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Ann Mueller A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Ethics and Policy Studies Institute for Ethics and Policy Studies University of Nevada-Las Vegas May 1992 APPROVAL PAGE The thesis of C. Ann Mueller for the degree of Masters of Art in Ethics and Policy Studies is approved Chairperson, (fraig Walton, Ph.D. Examining Committee Member, alee Ph.D. Exaijjitiing Committee Meim^e/, Jay \A. Coughtry, Ph.D Graduate Facult Graduate Dean, Ronald W. Smith, Ph.D University of Nevada-Las Vegas May 1992 ABSTRACT This decade is emerging full of social consciousness about women’s rights, partly because of the anti-feminism considered socially acceptable during the Reagan era. The Civil Rights Act of 1991 further expands women's rights. The U.S. Senate confirmed U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas despite many who believed Professor Anita Hill’s sexual harassment charges. Because her allegations were ten years old, her credibility was questioned throughout the circus­ like confirmation. Ironically, sexual harassment complaints increased 71 percent since her 1991 testimony. In 1991, two diverse nationally-known men faced controversial rape trials. One a sports celebrity, the other a member of a wealthy, political family. The nation met their accusers through television. One man was acquitted, the other found guilty. The public also learned the term "glass ceiling” when the U.S. Secretary of Labor released a study aimed at targeting the most blatant workplace violators of sex discrimination. The study revealed that upper-level women are hitting an impenetrable glass ceiling that stalls or derails their careers prematurely. Executive women face inhospitable workplace environments of unrealistic expectations, and qualitatively different from men’s Many variables keep women from the top executive ranks. Most are common myths, misconceptions and stereotypes. Some view top-level women as weak in commitment, toughness and career risks. They perceive women’s strongest assets as charm and adaptability. Women are expected to be less effective. Consequently, they feel pressured to outdo men. "Effective" women must perform 100-150 percent better. Top-level women are exhausted and fed up with these extraordinary expectations. Women are tired of being labeled "bitchy" when they make hard decisions, when they demand excellence from subordinates, and when they must display coolness under pressure while speaking their minds. Perceived as different in goals, motives, personalities, behavior and effectiveness, top-level women are mostly like men. Top-level women feel less equal to demands for time and energy. Executive men usually have full-service wives acting as support staff at home. Executive women not only do not have "wives," they often do not even have a 50-50 partnership, therefore, experiencing more worry and pressure at home. i i i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank the outstanding faculty at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, without whom this thesis project would have been impossible. I especially wish to thank Dr. Craig Walton of the Institute for Ethics and Policy Studies for his unwavering patience and support toward completion of this research project. I also wish to thank my wonderful husband, Bob, for his constant support, enthusiasm and encouragement during what was a somewhat difficult time. Sincerely, C. Ann Mueller TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APPROVAL P A G E ................................................ i ABSTRACT..................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENT.............................................. iii INTRODUCTION.................................................. 1 Statement of the Problem................................. 1 Purpose of Research Paper ............................... 1 "Vindication of Rights of Women"......................... 4 How Hollywood Treats Women Workers....................... 5 Women in Combat Argument................................. 5 "Backlash— The Undeclared War Against ...................6 American Women" Societal Perspective of Women's R o l e s ...................6 CHAPTER I MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT— A WOMAN AHEAD OF HER TIME 9 Mary Wollstonecraft's Personal Life................... 10 Mirrors Her Philosophy Book Questions Societal Limitations for Women.........11 Education for Women Cursory Act........................14 Romance is Frivo l o u s .................................. 14 Co-education Would Break New Ground................... 16 Criticism............................................... 18 C o n c l u s i o n ............................................. 21 II OVERVIEW OF WOMEN'S MOVEMENT IN AMERICA 28 Political Parties Jump on Bandwagon................... 29 Sex-segmented Labor Force Begins ..................... 29 Some Women Emigrate as Indentured Servants ........... 30 Major Crises Bring Advancement For W o m e n ............. 32 Civil Rights for Minorities and Women................. 33 Attitudes Toward Affirmative Action................... 36 Women's Attitudes Toward Their Jobs................... 36 Women in Physical Sciences are Few and Far Between . .41 Women Workers Face Different Problems................. 42 The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission........... 43 Women Need More Role Models............................ 45 Women and Minorities, Majority of New Job............. 52 Entrants by 2,000 Sexual Harassment...................................... 54 Concl u s i o n ............................................. 57 CHAPTER PfiCE III MOVIES AS A MIRROR OF REALITY 60 How Hollywood Treats Women as Workers..................60 Melodramas of 1930's and 40 's.......................... 62 Changes in Roles for Women Include S e x ................64 as a Marketing Device Actresses Gain Leverage by Bankrolling Projects. 65 Year 1990 Means Change for Hollywood..................65 Hollywood Reflects Societal Sexism .................. 65 Comparable Worth in Hollywood.......................... 67 Women File Discrimination Suits........................69 Three Films About Women Win Oscars .................. 71 Dyan Cannon Is Good Example of Activists for Change. 74 IV THE COMBAT EXCLUSIONARY LAW AND WOMEN SOLDIERS 78 Modern Warfare Requires More Brains Than Brawn .... 79 Women Proved Versatility in Two World W a r s ............80 Public Law 625 Not Easily Defined...................... 81 U.S. Congresswoman Backs Women in Combat ............ 82 Women Soldiers Ineligible for Top J o b s ................83 Male Soldier-Author Against G.I. J a n e s ............... 84 To Be In Combat or Not to B e ............ » ........... 87 Occupational Sexism in Armed Forces....................88