Ogre Says Women Choose Inferior Jobs

Ogre writes in his blog today about gender equality in the workplace -- and I know he's a guy, because of his comments on a statement by Deborah Ross (Representative, North Carolina) that "men predominate in N.C.'s best-paid state government jobs." Here's what the Ogre wrote:

Women often decide, of their own free will, to take positions as secretaries and personal assistants and paralegals. For example, 100% of state workers classified as paralegals are women and 99% of maintenance workers are male. Why? Because that's what people choose.

I couldn't let that stand, and neither should you; please comment on his post here and tell him why he's wrong. I did; here's part of my response:

Actually, girls are often discouraged from pursuing math, science, and technology fields by teachers, simply because they're women; this turns them into women who "choose" jobs that wind up with little room for advancement. And other positions really are in the old boys' network, and it's difficult for women to break into them. Why? Because many men choose to exclude women.

Comments like those of the Ogre only perpetuate inequality in the workforce. Yes men and women have differences, but the ability to perform quality work in most fields, and their desire to be justly compensated for that work, does not differ. To suggest that women choose jobs that pay less or offer less advancement because women like it that way is ridiculous and hurtful to society.