The question of gender inequality in our society is a complex one. With a myriad of factors affecting the extent of inequality within society, it can be difficult to identify the primary agents that cause it. Historically, Australian society has functioned predominantly under a patriarchal system. The dominance of this structure has been supported by the chauvinist influence of colonial traditions, religious ideology and erroneous understandings of human biology. In more recent times these ideas and influences have been challenged by values of equality and fairness which has seen our society transitioning towards the adoption of more equitable principles. The progress of this evolution, however, is and has been hindered by the entrenched gender bias inherited from our forebears and the social structures they designed. In addressing the issue of gender inequality in Australian society it is first necessary to identify its causes and quantify the effects. As a part of the United Nations Millennium Development Program, aimed at reducing global poverty, the extent of gender inequality has been measured using the Gender Inequality Index (United Nations Millennium Development Goals Report 2012). This index assesses labour market participation, educational attainment, parliamentary representation and reproductive health between men and women. While these components form the basis of theory on gender equality, they are by no means comprehensive. This essay will examine these components and their relevance in Australian society. The prevalence of additional factors in our society that contribute to gender inequality will also be explored. Furthermore, the prospect of reducing gender inequality in Australia and the ways in which this may be achieved will be discussed. The Gender Inequality Index, while not comprehensive, does provide a good starting point in investigating the extent gender inequality in our society. In a global context, according to the index, Australia has a comparatively low value of gender inequality. With regard to labour market participation, Australia is challenging global trends of gender bias. As a measure of inequality, however, challenging global trends does not equate to eliminating inequality. In an Australian Bureau of Statistics report, men occupied twice as many positions as managers and administrators than women, while women outnumbered men in intermediate clerical, sales and service positions by 3 to 1 (2003). While these figures may indicate a break from historical trends, they do illuminate the currency of gender bias in the major occupation groups. These figures are not conclusive of the gender inequality in the Australian labour market as more recent statistics suggest further changing trends. For instance, while traditionally a male dominated profession, 57% of doctors under the age of 30 in Australia are female (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011). Though, beyond the differences in particular occupation groups’ lay inequality with regard to the participation rates of men and women in the labour market. A 2006 report on labour force participation showed the part time employment rate of women to account for nearly half of all working aged females as opposed to only 14% for males (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006). This imbalance may initially be induced by working mothers’ preference for part time work, however, this can also set them at a disadvantage, with less training and promotion opportunities available in what is considered the secondary labour market (Van Gellecum 2012). A good illustration of the inequality of the labour market is the disparity in wages between male dominated and female dominated occupations. In spite of the shift in the gender orientation of the labour market, gender discrimination is still present in the undervaluing of those occupations still dominated by women. The United Nations Millennium Development program regards equity in educational opportunities and parliamentary representation to be vital in the elimination of inequality. (United Nations Millennium Development Goals Report 2012) Equality in educational opportunities can inspire empowerment within the youth of Australia and can help establish the foundations of equality within the wider society. The sphere of education in Australian society has experienced steady progression towards gender equality. Participation and attainment rates in secondary schooling in Australia reflect this parity, with consistently more females achieving tertiary and formal qualifications as this table from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows: ATTAINMENT OF YEAR 12 OR FORMAL QUALIFICATION AT CERTIFICATE II OR ABOVE 20-24 years Year____2003-2004-2005-2006-2007-2008-2009-2010-2011-2012 Males___78.2 - 79.4 -78.3- 78.1- 81.1 -81.3- 81.4- 82.4- 81.6 -84.1 Females_82.7 - 83.2 -84.1- 85.9- 86.1 -87.3- 87.7- 88.9- 86.7 -87.8 (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012) These figures may be offset, however, by the propensity of more males, 77% in May 2012, to enter into apprenticeships, particularly in male dominated industries such as construction. (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012) This data is at least suggestive of the idea that there is equality of opportunity in education, however, it does not address the social and cultural factors that continue to compel males and females into their differing gender orientated roles. Parliamentary representation and engagement in positions of authority remain as areas of our society that sustain gender inequity. While some key positions such as the Prime Ministership, Governor General (were) and even the Head of Monarchy are held by women, the balance of power still favours men. Currently, men hold more than twice as many seats in federal and state parliament than women (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012), and while these figures suggest minor progression from previous decades, they do not indicate any significant shift towards a state of equal representation. The situation in Australia reflects world-wide trends, however, there seems to be little action being taken to remedy this. While it can be clearly demonstrated that gender inequality is still prevalent in our society, identifying the causes can be more difficult. Kirkman postulates three major historical processes that account for the foundation of gender inequality; religious domination, agricultural revolution and the separation of the household and economic production during the early industrial era (2012). Of these three one has endured. Religious idealism has demonstrated unrivalled endurance through the changing nature of the world. It has survived the wars, recessions and revolutions that have reshaped our geography and defined our civilisation. And today, it continues to impose its chauvinistic gender bias on our society. In the 2011 Census, more than 70% of Australians report affiliation with a religious faith (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011). Oaths sworn in court are done so unto god. The Australian government prays to a Christian god at the beginning of each parliamentary sitting. Without spending too many words describing the inequalities purveyed by this particular belief, there are some key elements of it that suggest the damning accountability of religion for gender inequality in our society. A short passage from the New Testament reads; “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church” (New International Bible 2012). The Qur’an goes further, endorsing violence against women; “But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them” (Sahih International 2012). Whilst Australian society continues to foster these religious ideologies, it seems destined to uphold the inherent gender inequality peddled by organised religions. More worrying is the continued subscription of the Australian government to the principles of such a bigoted institution. As Australia continues to grow as a nation, so too will it continue to address the issues of inequality that divide its people. Recent changes in policy such as the removal of exclusions of women from front line roles in the military confirm this continuing development. With time, this change in policy will hopefully help to reconcile the attitude of hegemonic masculinity that has dominated the industry of Australia’s fighting forces. Under the intense pressure of combat situations, individual men and women may begin to see passed the biological and gendered differences between them, in much the same way that has seen soldiers of differing race and creeds reconcile their differences against common enemies in the past. With time and perseverance, these small conciliations will influence political and social reform. Combined with the implementation of adequate parental leave schemes, availability of better child care facilities and revision of the secondary labour market wages and training opportunities, this would help to alleviate the gender specific disadvantage of women in our society. “Gender equality does not imply that women and men are the same rather that they have equal value and should be accorded equal treatment” (International Planned Parenthood Federation 2012).
Posted on: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 04:15:46 +0000
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