Only gender quotas can guarantee women in the boardroom
In the recent presidential debates, there has been talk about how to create more gender equality in the workplace. Obama remains firm on his stance that giving women equal pay for an equal day will create gender equality. Romney, however, favors creating mandatory gender quotas in businesses. This policy of mandating gender quotas was implemented by Norway in 2003. The Norwegian government found that although the "mandadatory qotas are bureaucratic" and "hurt both the pride of women and the freedom of business", it is the only way to achieve gender equality if you really want it. Quotas would force companies to look around for women and talent that they wouldnt find otherwise.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/02/gender-quotas-norway-women-boardroom
The Norwegian policies that mandate gender equality in the work place bring up the question of: What is equality? Sure, women want to receive equal pay for an equal day, but wouldn’t they want to earn this equality. There is no doubt in my mind that women are deserving of equal pay, but legislating that the former is mandatory will degrade women’s sense of pride. This election year has had gender equality in the workplace as a major issue. I truly believe that Obama will promote equal pay for an equal day, but this is something that is better changed over time. That way, women will maintain a strong sense of pride while their desires of equality are met.
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