WHO suffers from gender inequality? WHAT is gender inequality? WHERE does gender inequality occur? WHEN is gender inequality considered a crime? WHY does gender inequality continue to exist in the UK?

What does this picture say about the state of the media and politics in Britain?

Gender Inequality in the UK aaaaaa 06/03/19 Gender Inequality in the UK Learning to understand the issue of gender inequality in the UK Success Explain what gender inequality is Analyse the impact of gender inequality on women socially and financially Evaluate the impact of gender inequality in regards to the UK economy and politics Today Discuss what gender inequality means and the different forms it can take Take detailed notes on gender inequality Create a “Why? Why? Why?” chain to explain why gender inequality still occurs today

What is Gender Inequality? Gender inequality is where all genders are not equal to each other. Throughout history many of the most important and powerful people have been men and society has developed in such a way that men and women continue to be treated differently from each other. This has been reinforced by gender stereotypes which have had a negative impact on people. We have already seen how gender stereotypes of men can have a negative impact on men’s physical and mental health. In this part of our topic we are going to look at the impact of gender inequality on women.

Gender Inequality and Discrimination In some cases, women suffer direct discrimination where they are treated differently because they are women. For example, a woman is not given a job they are more qualified for because they may one day take time off to have children. This type of discrimination has been made illegal although does still occur in some cases today in the UK. Often, these cases end up as headline news and the companies/people responsible are publicly shamed. However, the attitudes behind discrimination are taking a lot longer to change in our society. Watch the following video clips and take notes on: Language in the workplace Women and pay Children and stereotypes Gender Pay Gender Inequality explained by Children Language in the workplace

Gender Inequality and Discrimination What is more commonplace in the UK today is indirect discrimination. This could be working practices that make it harder for women to take part fully in a place of work. An example of this could be a workplace that organises a golf tournament for just the male employees. This lets the men socialise and get to know more senior colleagues – this can open up more opportunities further down the line for promotion for the men that take part.

Another form of indirect discrimination can be the language used in a workplace that reduces women to a stereotype (that they are natural caregivers) and devalues their success (linking progression in work to physical attributes such as clothing, make up or attractiveness). This can make women feel unwelcome or unvalued particularly in traditionally male dominated spaces. Even the same behaviour between men and women gets interpreted differently. Men who are more dominant in leadership roles often get called “authoritative” or “assertive” – women on the other hand might get called “bossy” or be seen as “nagging” this shows a lack of respect that women in more senior posts receive which can make it harder for them to be successful in that post – or even to progress to it.

Effect of Gender Inequality Low Pay/ Employment Poverty Due to Caring Responsibilities Absent from Senior Positions Women Earn Less Poor Housing Domestic Abuse

Effect of Gender Inequality: Low Paid Employment There is still a significant difference in the types of jobs held between men and women - this is reflected in the roles each sex takes regarding family responsibilities – “caring women” and “bread-winning” men. Women are more likely to be employed in low paid sectors. These professions are known as the 5 Cs than in other professions. The 5 C’s are caring, catering, cleaning, cashiering and clerical work. Another reason why women find themselves in these roles is due to the societal expectation that women will be the primary caregivers and so as these types of jobs are more likely to be part time it is women that will fill them. There are those individuals who break these stereotypes i.e. male nurses or female barristers, but they often encounter social isolation or “sexist banter” in the workplace.

Evidence (Office of National Statistics 2017) Women make up almost 80% of full-time employees in caring, leisure and service roles In contrast around 75% of all senior officials or chief executives are male.

Effect of Gender Inequality: Poverty due to caring responsibilities Women are more often than not expected to perform the primary care responsibilities in a family household which can make them more at risk of being in poverty. In a similar way, in households with significant care needs other than children – such as those with members who are elderly or disabled – women are expected to be the carer. In all scenarios this leaves women dependent on others (either a partner or the state (benefits). It is this that puts them at greater risk of poverty. Traditional gender roles have left women more vulnerable as part time work is most likely found in lower paid professions. Similarly women make up the vast majority of lone parent households, which with caring responsibilities, makes it harder for women to find work with the flexible hours required for childrearing.

Lone parents in full time work have a poverty rate of 28% Evidence (JRF 2017) Couples with children where both adults work full time have a poverty rate of 5% Couples with children where one adult works full time and one part time have a poverty rate of 9% Lone parents in full time work have a poverty rate of 28% Lone parents in part time work have a poverty rate of 35% By 2016, 34% of working age adults in families with disabled members lived in poverty compared with 17% of those who did not 9/10 lone parent households are led by women https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofp2UvK5wCA

Effect of Gender Inequality: Absence from Senior Positions Women are often unable to progress to the top levels of their occupations. This has become known as the “glass ceiling effect”. This phrase comes from a term coined in the 1980’s to describe the fact that women could not progress to the top levels of their occupation. The meaning was that women could only ever get so far – close enough to see upper levels of power but never quite reaching there.   In recent years it has become clear that women are out performing men in education but are overrepresented in the lower levels of professions such as law and teaching.   One of the reasons behind the glass ceiling is that workplaces have created a culture that is unsuitable or does not recognise the traditional caring responsibilities for women. Women end up having to take career breaks that put them behind their male counterparts when it comes to gaining experience needed for promotion.

Evidence Only 36% of secondary teachers in the UK are male yet 62% of head teachers are male. Gender stereotypes in the work place have been reflected in parental leave where historically men have only had 2 weeks paid leave when they have a child compared to the average 9 months given to women. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-43460998

Effect of Gender Inequality: Gender Pay Gap Women are still more are likely to earn less than men in their place of work. This is known as the gender pay gap but it is not the same as the issue of equal pay. The gender pay gap is where women in an organisation or sector of work earn less than men for the same or directly comparable jobs. There have been some high-profile cases where councils such as Birmingham Council and Glasgow City Council have been underpaying women despite this being made illegal in 1975. Just one of those causes of the pay gap is exemplified by the cause of childcare in the UK. Childcare in the UK is one of the most expensive in Europe meaning often it is not possible for women to work and pay for childcare. This limits a woman’s ability to work full time and be in line for promotion.

The average pay gap for full time work is 9.7% Evidence (BBC 2018) The average pay gap for full time work is 9.7% The pay gap in the education sector is 20% 78% of companies pay men more than women. Watch the BBC Three comparison on childcare and parental leave between the UK and Sweden for stats. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/clip/de66e630-0338-46ac-bf0f-ca2b0261d27a

Effect of Gender Inequality: Poor Quality Housing Women are more likely to live in substandard housing. The vulnerability that women face due to low pay and caring responsibilities makes them more vulnerable to living in poverty. This makes women more likely to live in housing that is not adequate and will not provide a good standard of living. This could lead to serious health problems. Women have also historically had lower pensions due to earning less in their working lives. As women live longer this has meant that women have a higher level of pensioner poverty than single male pensioners.

Effect of Gender Inequality: Domestic Violence Women are more likely to become victims of domestic abuse. For a range of reasons women are at greater risk than men of what is known as gender-based violence. Although physical violence towards women is still common in the UK, a growing number gender based violent crimes include other behaviours that control the day to day lives of women. Controlling behaviours can include controlling finances, mentally abusing someone, restricting a partner’s access to friends and family, controlling the clothes a partner wears, using children to control a partner, using physical or the threat of physical violence. Evidence: Health Scotland (2018) 79% of domestic abuse incidents reported in 2014-2015 had a female victim and male perpetrator.

This increases the likelihood of females living in poverty. Effect of Gender Inequality - Tasks Low Paid Employment Women are more likely to be employed in low paid sectors. These professions are known as the 5 Cs than in other professions. The 5 C’s are caring, catering, cleaning, cashiering and clerical work. This increases the likelihood of females living in poverty. Women make up almost 80% of full-time employees in caring, leisure and service roles In contrast around 75% of all senior officials or chief executives are male. Low Paid employment increases the likelihood of females living in poverty, which only further continues to cause gender inequality For each of the effects of Gender Inequality we have discussed create a Summary Postcard which details: The basic effect on women At least 2 key facts An analytical statement on WHY this effect is damaging