Economic independence is a primary goal for many of the oppressed in the United States. In American society work is the preferred avenue people follow in pursuit of economic independence. The material presented in this article specifically targets women. Much of it, however, applies to economically disadvantaged minorities overall. An overarching theme in this article calls attention to a concept of institutional discrimination .
Legal discrimination is, after all, illegal.
Presumably, if one can document legal discrimination, one can remove such discrimination through the courts or legislatures. Institutional discrimination, on the other hand, is much more insidious and, therefore, more difficult to rectify. Institutional discrimination resides within the fabric of society. The specifics of this article explore earnings discrimination, occupational distribution, the organization of work, and the character of relationships within the family where, according to many, the essence of gender inequality resides. This ratio improves slightly during economic growth periods in the national economy.