The argument: key words

1. Supposed to be enlightened age: not really so.

2. Women won independence years ago.

3. Long struggle: equal educational opportunities as men.

4. Proved repeatedly: equal, often superior to men in every field.

5. Battle not over: men carry on sex war; basically hostile.

6. Even in progressive societies: women second-rate citi­zens; different species!

7. Light-hearted comments made by men e.g. women-drivers.

8. Does not conceal real contempt; but statistics disprove their claims.

9. Women: fewer accidents, responsible drivers, not maniacs.

10. Success in any job: politicians, etc. - bear and rear children as well.

11. Men maintain fiction: women can't do certain jobs.

12. E.g. top-level political negotiation, banking, no vote in certain countries.

13. Why? Familiar arguments: women unreliable, irrational, depend on instinct,

intuition.

14. Men refuse to acknowledge proven ability. Clear thinking?

15. Men cling to supremacy: inferiority complex.

16. Shun competition: may be beaten.

17. Most important task: world peace.

18. Success if negotiations by women; some things too important to be done by men.

The counter-argument: key words

1. Women: militant, shout louder because they have weak case.

2. Even now, they still talk like suffragettes.

3. It’s nonsense to claim that men and women are equal and have the same abilities.

4. Women: different biological function; physically weaker; different, not inferior

intellectually.

5. Impossible to be wives, mothers and successful career women.

6. Really are unreliable: employers can't trust them. Not their faults; leave jobs to get

married, have children.

7. Great deal of truth in light-hearted jokes; e.g. women drivers. Women: less

practical, less mechanically-minded.

8. Most women glad to let men look after important affairs.

9. They know that bearing and rearing children are more important.

10. That’s why there are few women in politics, etc. They are not excluded, they

exclude themselves.

11. Anyway, we live in woman-dominated societies; e.g. USA, Western Europe.

12. Who is the real boss in the average household? Not father.

13. Men are second-class citizens and women should grant them equal status!

II

1. Read the opinions below and learn the new vocabulary. Summarize the

opinions.

2. Say which opinions you agree or disagree with. Explain why.

Women are still failing to fulfil their potential in the male-dominated world of business and technology.

In recent years, a handful of women have succeeded in making it to the head of the board room table at the big financial and technology companies.

However, those who have made it to the top of their professions are still rare exceptions.

Are women failing to live up to their potential in the business world? Who do you think is the most influential woman in business? Do you think that women still face formidable obstacles to doing well in their careers?

I would say that the only obstacle that women are facing is their obsession in trying to become “equals” to the male gender. We are not equal, we never will be (biologically speaking and taking evolution into consideration). So why can’t we all just let it go and move on? As a woman, I aim to do the best I can in my professional

life, rather than try to live up to a long-term myth.

Rana Jawad, Belgium

I have a part-time job that I thoroughly enjoy and am respected and appreciate for, get to spend time with my son for half the working week, spend time with my friends and mum during the day. Who isn’t fulfilling their potential? I’ve never been happier. My husband leaves for work before 8 am and returns after 6 pm. He can be on call and has to deal with problems all day! Yes, he is vastly better paid than me, but he often says he would swap places. Why is that considered as “doing better”? Keep your high flying career – I’m doing just fine!

Catherine, UK

I would happily stay at home and be a house-husband so my wife could further her career. Unfortunately, she studied archaeology and has no career. People looking for equality should try the academic environment. Even in my field (physics and engineering) people are judged on intelligence and ability, not gender.

NB, UK

I’m 30 and entered the business world with no opinion on whether a man or a women was more suited to a particular role. I worked for several years in an American corporation and the senior management roles there were equally split male/female – it was a non-issue. Where now I work is very different however – a large steel firm, senior management is all male and in their late fifties, women are viewed as administrators and secretaries only and often referred to as “girls”.

Nick, UK

Whilst women of around 30-45 of age are of that generation where they felt they had to “have it all” and success is measured by career progression, I think women just starting out in professional life of my generation will make quality of life choices. We have realised the goal in life is happiness which is gained by finding your true potential and achieving it, not “getting to the top at all cost”.

Deborah, UK

Choice is the key. As a man, it seems that I do not have the choice of staying at home to raise the children, see them at sports day, read bed-time stories, or help them through difficult times. I see them in the morning as I iron my shirt before going to work and at weekends – it is not enough. Women have total choice, there’s an end to it – and good luck to them. They have a good deal. The debate should now focus on men for a change.

James Millar, England

If a woman thinks that being female is automatic justification for a board room position, perhaps it’s time they considered the millions of men who also don’t get the top jobs either. At least women have the choice to revert to a more traditional family role – what choice does the average man have?

Paul, UK

The main issue isn’t a high flying executives. Most women earn low wages doing essential but often undervalued jobs. Many also have to cram in caring for their kids, as do some men. We need better pay and status for low paid women. And we need more support for all working parents, especially better and cheaper childcare. By the way, I’m a man with no kids, so some of us see beyond our own wallets!

Ben Drake, York, UK

It’s interesting to note that it’s the men in this column saying women don’t have a problem. My experience has shown that it is very hard for an intelligent and self-confident woman to climb the ladder in the same way a man does. I work in the technology field and the discomfort that men feel with my knowledge and skills is quite obvious. Just the fact that it is still women who must choose between career and children says that we have not reached parity.

Lesley, USA

I would suggest that it is not women who are less likely to succeed, but mothers. If a male employee took days off without giving notice, because his child was sick, and then rushed home at finishing time to pick the kids up from a childminder, then he would be less likely to be promoted too. The people who succeed are the ones who put in the extra work, and often mothers are unable to do this. This is due to their choices.

Fay, UK