“How can a woman feel sexy and empowered working behind a computer screen? Plus, they are distracting to men.”
This was the response of a young male in my class who was asked if women should work in IT fields.
One of the reasons why there are fewer women in these fields is because of these boundaries put up by men who feel threatened and uncomfortable by a women’s presence based on her femininity and sexuality.
Why is it that women are penalized in high-paying job fields based on their beauty? One reason is what is known as the beauty myth. Author Naomi Wolfe theorizes that society has created the myth as a way of deterring women from moving up by focusing on her beauty.
The media and institutions are great players in making sure this game continues. Female political figures constantly face scrutiny based on their appearance. The media constantly bashes Hillary Clinton for her short hair and dress choice, while male politicians gain coverage and recognition for their message.
In the 1970s, ex-Playboy Club waitress Margarita St Cross was fired for losing her “bunny” image. She lost the case in court and Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner got a new, younger, thinner female for the job.
Still today, these cases exist. In the States recently, a female was fired from her job at a bank because her looks were, apparently, too much of a distraction.
If you’re too pretty, watch out: you just might become penalized.