It would seem that the core beliefs of freedom and equality have been firmly established in this country as the basis for which it was founded. Only upon closer inspection regarding the standing of half the human race can the actual discrepancies be identified and brought to light. The status of women in American society has fallen prey to the machinations of popular culture and the unwarranted expectations of society.
It is still important to note how far women have come since the initial efforts to bridge the gap of inequality. Women were finally granted suffrage in 1920 with the passage of 19th Amendment. As the 20th century progressed, the role of the traditional American housewife has varied significantly as more and more opportunities have arisen for women in the job market that were previously inaccessible. While such advancements are undoubtedly noteworthy, there are still numerous issues afflicting the women of the nation that both genders seem to overlook more often than not.
There exists a proverbial "glass ceiling” that seems to prevent women from attaining positions of higher management at certain points in their career. Only recently have a small number of women finally overcome this significant obstacle by being recognized for their achievements on the same level as their male counterparts. Even then, statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Labor indicated women as of 1987 held the only 2 percent of top-level management jobs and 5 percent of corporate board positions.
The plight of the teenage girl has been exacerbated due in large part to the prevalence and tremendous influence of popular culture. There are modern-day musical artists who have made a name for themselves through the degradation of women with their lyrics. The practice of objectifying women through their songs has become commonplace to the point in which it has become widely accepted by the general population. Kids who have been