Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this discussion. My
background evolves being a former miner, steelworker, longshore worker
and journeylevel electrician. I just completed my Ph.D. in Education and I
am currently teaching in the Electrical Technology Program at Long Beach
City College. I have long been an advocate of women in nontraditional jobs
and for all people, both boys and girls to be able to fulfill their
potential in the classroom and workplace through being able to choose an
occupation based on interest and ability, not race, gender, sexual
orientation or age. All people should have the opportunity to have any job,
even if some people think it isn't "right" for them or they call it a
"mans" job.
What are the current Issues?
The whole issue of employment for women revolves around occupational
segregation. This stems from women's own view of themselves and societies
view of what is an appropriate job for women. So a two-prong strategy is
need to work with the women to expose them to ALL the option and to society
to make these options acceptable for women.
Tradeswomen, a general term for women who work in nontraditional
employment, are working to connect the "Rosie the Riveters" of World War II
to the women today. The "Rosies" are admired and even revered. Tradeswomen
are also trying to organize (there is a national conference in October) and
form a national group (TNT, Tradeswomen Now and Tomorrow). So our public
image can help convince young women that is an appropriate and exciting
career choice.
Employers and educators need to be made aware of the nontraditional option.
It is important that accurate and complete information on career
opportunities is available. Most school counselors and educators are not
aware of the nontraditional option and continue to track girls and young
women into "women's jobs".
However, access is the most important issue. Even if women want to choose
the nontraditional adoption, they often have no opening to get in. The
support of the institution, whether apprenticeship pogrom of vocational
school as well as the personal support of the woman's family and friends is
also important. Every woman in a nontraditional career must be excellent to
be considered average.
Lynn J. Shaw
Instructor
Electrical Technology Program
Long Beach City College
LynnJShaw@aol.com
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.2 : Fri Apr 12 2002 - 15:16:53 EDT