If you do not identify as the dominant group, then you probably are affected by the idea known as the glass ceiling. The glass ceiling is defined as "an intangible barrier within a hierarchy that prevents women or minorities from obtaining upper-level positions." And before you say "no, it's not real," please just hear me out.
Many minorities are affected by this concept of the glass ceiling. The effects begin as early as children can begin to compete; although some people don't believe that, it is true. Think of it through this example. We separate boys and girls from the very beginning. There is a boys soccer team and a girls soccer team. As the children get older opportunities for AP classes are given to both boys and girls; however, most students found in these rigorous classes are boys. Through these classes, mostly focused in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), favoritism is forced upon the boys who are receiving more opportunities. When these children go in to college, you will find more boys versus girls in these STEM like classes and majors. And this example can go on forever and ever. Do you get it now? We just started the glass ceiling from the minute competition could begin.
As a woman in a STEM field, I can tell you the glass ceiling is very real. I am always trying to fight for accreditation. And you know what? It is really exhausting! Is it that infuriating that I understand math? That I can code? That I know just as much as you do? It's stupid and quite honestly, a lot messed up. When I try and help a fellow peer, that is not a woman, I have to fear that I might get the "oh..your good at math? are you sure you know what you're doing? maybe I should be the one helping you" bit. I shouldn't have to fear that, but I do. Because more than once have I heard, "you're a girl, you shouldn't be good at math."
But it is not just happening in college classrooms. Society is feeding this through every possible outlet, even television commercials. About 2 years ago, Verizon came out with the way the glass ceiling is being found within our everyday households.
Microsoft followed suit and created the following commercial that just shows how prevalent the glass ceiling is at a young age.
And finally, a more recent of the many commercials addressing the glass ceiling in the workplace is from Secret Deodorant.
So as you can see, the glass ceiling is real whether you believe it or not. All I am asking is that you acknowledge and us girls CAN do things in the STEM field, CAN be CEO's of companies, and CAN be successful parents/spouses. Please just give us a try, but if you don't want to that's okay because we will still fight for the best of the best anyways.
