In the past decade a big increase in the number of women participating in the labor force has taken place. Since early history and the ancient civilization of man, women have played a secondary role, in which women were and still are viewed as less then a man. A women's role in society was of raising children, and duties around the household. Many women today want and desire careers and a place in this world. They want to stand on their own two feet, to become self-sustaining individuals, independent and free. The one thing that is clear is that women in all careers are determined to gain equality in the work force today.
The issues that have and still surrounding women and the workplace are many. For a long time women were at a disadvantage when it came to competing with men in the workplace. Women were not given the educational opportunities that men were, and women were stereotyped in certain jobs. Discrimination of women in the workplace has for years been nourished by gender bias. Since the time when women entered the workforce they have been paid less than a man for doing the same job.
Although women in the workplace have had several odds stacked against them one thing remains clear, that women have and still do make a great contribution to the workplace. With their determination, women have been a driving force in the passing of laws to protect themselves and others in the workplace. These laws are not just for gender discrimination but also include discrimination based on marital status, pregnancy, race, disabilities, sexual preference, and age. Women now have the ability to break out of the gender roles that were created for them by society long ago.
One of the issues that has affected women in the workplace is that of stereotyping of women. Throughout history women have taken the role of housewife, mother, and nurturer.