Feminist Transformation - Equal Rights and Opportunity in the Labor Force

The Equal Rights and Opportunity in the Labor Force process, more commonly referred to as Equal Opportunity Feminism, challenges two main aspects of the pervading notion of the traditional sexual division of labor. Reflecting contemporary societal perceptions and expectations, the traditional sexual division of labor cast women as full-time homemakers while differentiating men as full-time wage-earners in the labor market. One aspect of this division includes keeping married women from joining the labor force entirely. The other aspect limited the scope of women's job opportunities by segregating women to lower paying, lower status jobs. Equal Opportunity Feminism simultaneously challenges these two aspects of the traditional sexual division of labor to make it possible to purse equal rights and opportunities for women in the labor force.

Though single women participated in unpaid labor throughout the early 20th century, married woman were largely excluded from the paid labor market because of the expectation that they would work only as homemakers. Criticisms of the traditional sexual division of labor created an impetus among women to escape dependence on men through employment. By Entering the Workforce married women challenged the notion that having a job and being a wife and mother were mutually exclusive.

Although women were engaging in paid labor, they still did not have the same job opportunities as men. Women were segregated into lower paying, lower status jobs. They were restricted to traditionally feminine professions and were faced with discrimination if they pursued more typically masculine jobs. The Careerism aspect of this process involves having the chance not just to work, but also equally pursue the same high-status and high-paying careers as men.

Even as women enter typically masculine professions such as medicine, law, and business, sexual discrimination remains an impediment to equal rights and opportunity. Through legislation such as Title VII and efforts made through the judicial system, women have made strides to ensure that they truly have rights and opportunities equal to those of men. Despite substantial and significant gains for women in working towards equality, there is still much to be done for the future.