Despite progressive legislation and extensive family support programs, there is still gender inequalities at work. Women in advanced countries have made great strides in equalizing their lives over the decades. However, women still need to be treated with the same respect at work as men. Hook and Petit examine how aggregate outcomes can be affected by individual policies. These include analyzing federally guaranteed maternity and public child care, as well as other aspects of inequality. The foundation of this paper will be built upon the PBS Documentary Two American Families.
It follows the lives and times of two American families: the Neumans (and the Stanleys). This documentary provides a look into daily life for families living in poverty. Hook and Petit (2010) also addressed the differences in policies for four different economic indicators, which span 21 countries. These indicators include: OgG Discrimination and Wages; Workhours; Employment Rates; OgG Hours.
Hook and Petit (2008) talk about the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act. Employers are sometimes required to offer unpaid and job-protected leave to staff for family matters such as caring for children born prematurely or employees who have a family member with a medical condition. In 1991 the documentary featured the lives of two family members. The law wasn’t yet in effect. Tony Neuman, Claude Stanley and others had decent jobs but had to give up spending money on their families.
Terry Neuman, wife to Tony Neuman was once a stay-at-home spouse. In order to support her family, she had to find an income source. Jackie Stanley (the wife of Claude Stanley) seems to be doing slightly better than Terry. Before being laid off, she had motor assembly skills. One might think that because there are so many children, the Universal Child Care and Early Learning Act would offer relief. This act guarantees all families access to high-quality, affordable care and learning opportunities. It also revives strategy and goals for comprehensive child development. It wasn’t (PBS 2013,).
It didn’t help the families. They were not even aware that the act had been assisted. Women who have stable careers and are well-educated will be favored by the act, which is unfortunately not what these families have. Wage rates are affected directly by work hours. Tony Neuman earned 18 dollars an hour and received benefits. Tony’s spouse, however, made $15 an hour. Tony worked less hours than her. Tony was an engineer so there would be differences in their earnings. In the 90’s one could assume the wage gap difference had decreased because strides were being made to empower women but it was because more men were losing jobs to cheaper labor.
Occupational segregation can be clearly seen in Jackie’s real estate job. Her resistance to selling homes in wealth areas was strong when she tried. Jackie explained that sometimes buyers couldn’t reach her after learning Jackie was black. She was not always a popular choice, even though she had a great credit rating.
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