Management and Gender Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Management and Gender - Essay Example That the world is critical and reflective in thinking is a matter that is underscored by the many theories which try to explain gender relations. Many theoretical standpoints and postulations abound to divulge on gender relations, by analysing the dynamics of male-female relationships within the auspices of the society. As opposed to the 19th century developments which mainly delved on gender parity at the domestic level, the 1950s opened a new era which was characterised by the quest to have gender equality entrenched even in the corporate sector. This is the case with the UK, the US, the West and the rest of the developed world (Maleta, 2011, 75). The importance of theoretical standpoints that explain gender relations is that they help inculcate understanding on the history, nature and dynamics of gender relations, with the main goal being, providing directly or indirectly, the panacea to the problem of gender imbalance at the workplace, or any other sphere of the human society. Likewise, according to Moore (2012, 620), the need to relook the issue of gender and corporate life is underscored by the fact that in spite of women having been incorporated in the corporate life of developed countries, yet female presence is yet inadequately represented at the managerial level of corporate life. Theoretical Explanation on Gender Imbalance in Management One of the most moving theories on gender is that of Julia Kristeva. Kristeva’s theory has been applicable in the field of semiotics. Kristeva’s theory in explaining gender disparity and relations at the managerial level of the corporate life has a topical theme of abjec tion. Particularly, Kristeva structures subjectivity on abjection of the mother, arguing that a society is constructed just as an individual abjects or excludes his mother as a way of curving out an identity. Kristeva continues that just as individuals, patriarchal cultures exclude the feminine to either come into being, or consolidate its position (Cousineau and Roth, 2012, 430). Beyer (2011, 307) contends that the implication of Kristeva’s postulation is that the inability to perpetuate gender parity in organisational management is not so much occasioned by characteristics inherent in women, as is by unequal sexist relations, structures and policies which have been entrenched by a male-dominated society. This discourse will thus look into the issue of gender and management, in light of Kristeva’s theoretical postulations. Indicators of un/Equal Gender Representation in Management A critical examination of the corporate, entrepreneurial and public sectors shows the in ordinate concentration of men in management. One of the indicators of the gender gap in the British business sector is the stunted rise in

Los Vendidos by Luis Valdez Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Los Vendidos by Luis Valdez - Research Paper Example It is clear from the study that in his play Luis Valdez highlights racism, social injustice, stereotyping and corruption of social identity as key problems faced by the Mexican and Mexican- American groups. The perpetrators are the Americans. The Mexican stereotypes are not accepted by the American society thus face constant disapproval and discrimination. This case is demonstrated by the proceedings of the secretary-Miss Jimenez who goes to buy a â€Å"brown-skinned† robot that has a Mexican appeal. However, she focuses on a model that is likely to be accepted by the American society for having certain characteristics such as the English speaking ability, sophistication and hard-working. The secretary highlights these characteristics as the ideal representation of the American. These characteristics are completely opposite to those associated with Mexicans or Mexicans-Americans. They are known as lazy, stupid and illiterate. As much as the Americans are blamed for these acts against the community having Mexicans roots, they are also to blame for its spread. The shop owner and the secretary have Mexican roots but instead, continue to stick to the stereotypes set by the Americans. This proves to a certain point that they are also inclined to believe it is the actual case with people of Mexican roots. The author focuses much on the effects of the Americans in perpetrating this kind of discrimination while also failing to recognize the role played by the Mexicans and the Mexican-American society. While buying the models Miss Jimenez- a Latina, but she play-acts as an American, and for that matter she is inclined or rather believes that products made in the U.S.A are way better. In fact she wishes to buy a Mexican-American product only made in the USA are because they thought to be of better quality than those made by Mexicans. After going past a Mexican a revolutionist, a pachuco, a farmworker and a college-educated Mexican-American, the secretary decides t o take the last one. She buys the model, but just after making the monetary disbursement he acts in an unforeseen way. Terrified, she leaves the model shop without taking the merchandise she had bought (Valdez, 1995). This explains that she had conflicts with how the office would like her purchase. Perhaps it would not please them enough. This shows that the Latinos have to great extent become subject to enabling the spread of this stereotyping. The author does not dwell much on it though it is an indispensable part of the play. It is very notable. Until this instant in the text â€Å"Los Vendidos†the reader can see the diverse stereotypes about Latinos themselves, comprising those who act as if they are not Latinos like the secretary. If the play ended at that point, it would be anassessment on the relationships based on stereotypes. However, Luis Valdez goes ahead and displays the set of Latinos who act like robots distributing the money they had got from the secretary and seeingas stupid those people who