Downtrodden?

Has the pendulum shifted too far? According to business and educational professionals throughout northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA), gender-related issues in the workplace can still be volatile. A company's employment choices, its policies for promotion and compensation plus its ways of dealing with

There's no denying that women have made extensive inroads towards inclusion in the world of commerce. Females are regularly reporting for work in professions such as teaching, engineering, sales and marketing all across the region.

This inclusion makes it appropriate to question whether today's workplace actually favors women. Plus, what are the burdens each sex must face as the alarm clock rings every morning?

Opinions about these pressing questions vary relative to the individual giving the answer In the modern politically correct society, few professionals will publicly cry out that the deck is stacked towards the opposite sex.

A more common response to inquiries about gender-related issues is that both sexes are burdened with a plate full of challenges and burdens. These issues are moving forward at dose to the speed of light as technology, information sharing and commerce race ahead.

What can be helpful to determine true workplace conditions is an examination of several specific areas of commerce that play important roles in the employment cycle. These vital components include education, technical aptitude, discrimination and family concerns. They touch virtually every worker.

Evolving participation

College enrollment is where the girls are. According to statistics compiled by various media outlets, on a national basis, less that 45 percent of today's undergraduates are male.

Male enrollment was 55 percent of collegiate enrollment in 1970.

In 1997, American women earned 652,400 bachelor's degrees against 520,500 for men. At both the University of Scranton and Wilkes University in WilkesBarre, the student body is consistently split 60 to 40 percent favoring women.

Why are females now dominating in college? The reasons are complex, and there's no shortage of ideas why it is happening.

'Looking at all of this data is not wrong, but we must be careful not to overanalyze it," says Mike Fruntz, vice president of enrollment and marketing at Wilkes University. "The workplace should be judged only by ability. It's true that die United States still does have gender, race, sexual preference and religion issues, and we need to be conscious that we strive to make it a level playing field. We should remain aware until all discrepancies are overcome."

Debate is also swirling about the "taxes" paid by working families. New buzzwords such as die mommy and day tax have been coined to describe the price each sex must pay for workplace success.

As both sexes hold down employment, the economy has adjusted to two working parents. Concurrently, men in increasing numbers are experiencing regrets about lost time that could have been invested in their families.

"As counselors, we're definitely seeing men that have become more aware of what they're giving up for their careers" says Deirdre McGreevy, L.C.S.W. and C.E.A.P., a counselor with the WorkLife and Counseling Services unit of Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton. This intense career focus can cause marital and family difficulties, and a series of complex problems that are interrelated."

High-tech imbalance

While women are dominating collegiate enrollment, as a group they are still underachieving in science and math. Approximately seven times as many males as females score in the top percentile (800) on Scholastic Aptitude (SAT) math tests.

Why are females still trailing in overall science and math achievement? The commentary of both educators and females in the technical world may offer some insight.

Jennifer Grab, a Thornhurst resident, is currently on track to become valedictorian of the North Pocono High School class of 2006.

"With a 4.0 grade point average and SAT II scores of 800 for Math II and Biology, she plans to major in collegiate biology or chemistry this fall.

Grab comments as to why she has always felt a deep interest in science and math, along with exceptional proficiency "in my opinion, this is partial heredity and partial parental influence," says Grab. "I was always encouraged to read, and I seem to have an inherent curiosity that is vital for science. This part seems to be wired into me."

Grab is among those who comment that the road to science and math achievement for a female can be a bumpy one. The equation is filled with differences in the way males and females approach challenges, risk-taking and parental influences, plus potential scorn for females who are interested in math and science.

Discrimination still makes an appearance in the modern workplace. A celebrated superstar of the British advertising industry recently immersed himself in hot water by rudely questioning the worth of women in management.

In NEPA, discrimination seems to be on the decline concerning the entry of women into male-dominated professions. Mary Bogart, owner of Bogart Engineering in Moscow, a civil engineering firm, weathered some tough times but today comments that the storm has ebbed.

"Actually, I don't feel that anyone is uncomfortable now," says Bogart. "But, back in 1982 when I graduated with my degree, I definitely felt it."

How can the workplace continue to reduce gender issues?

One key point is that females and males must continue the gender inclusion process, so that equal opportunity is offered for all who are qualified. It's also true that the future may be cloudy for companies that don't participate in efforts to minimize gender issues.

"It's important to note that women who do well in business have earned it and must be equally respected and compensated for their accomplishments," says Daisy Gallagher, founder of Gallagher & Gallagher, marketing, advertising and public relations agency based in Stroudsburg.