So here goes, my unpopular stance on gender equality in the workplace.
Tags: Gender Pay Gap, Womens Rights, Women In Business, Gender Equality, Gender Roles

Trigger Warning. The opinion I share in this blog is likely to ruffle a few feathers, and I’m okay with that. Let me lead by first saying, as a female in the workforce, I wholeheartedly agree that under no circumstance should a woman (or any gender) be paid less for equal performance in their position. Having encountered equal disadvantages in the workplace due to lower standards in certain areas for sexual harassment, and overall respect for women in certain male dominated fields — I do not agree with any treatment of an individual to be treated differently based on their gender. (or any other identifying quality for that matter) I would like to see initiatives to increase female interest and opportunities in fields previously dominated by our male counterparts.

Now that I have made those very vital points clear, I must also state that any field a female enters into should be evaluated on her ability to perform that position in the best way possible. Regarding instances where females perform as well or better than their male counterparts, I absolutely find it infuriating that a woman would not be paid equal measure. However, I find it equally infuriating that a position where a woman underperforms, it is the demand by society that she is to receive special treatment or be paid the same as men when their performance does not measure to that of a male counterpart. This is an unpopular stance, especially coming from a woman, I am aware. However as a former military spouse and mother of both sons and daughters, I do believe that (statistically and scientifically) certain positions are more difficult to find female counterparts that can perform the job on the same scale and capacity as a man. Are there exceptions to this rule in these fields? Absolutely. When such a thing happens and a particular female is up for the tasks then she is absolutely entitled to the same pay and position. However when not being concerned with being politically correct…there are certain jobs that (the average male) is more equipped for than (the average female)and honestly the same goes visa versa. Apologies if that hurts someone's feelings or triggers something within you. This opinion is not meant to demote individuals, only to accurately assess by the same standards among both genders. If you are the exception, then you should be treated and paid like any other person capable of filling that spot, however, if you are not able to fill the need the same as a male counterpart, you should not get training wheels or exceptions based on your gender. I do believe in gender equality, equal pay, fair treatment parental leaves, and I love seeing women leading in business…in fact I fully intend to be one of them. Entering into tech, I understand that I am of a nominal group. I also know much like gender is not a disqualifying agent, it should not be the qualifying agent as well. To get worse treatment, or preferential treatment based on your gender is equally as wrong and essentially opposite sides of the same coin. When judging these matters I always refer back to the merit of someone's actions and the content of their character. These are really the only equal qualifiers. If we set a standard to evaluate people based on anything other than the sum of their actions, we land on a slippery slope. I chose not to judge based on gender, race, creed, financial status, political affiliations, etc. I chose to judge based on overall deeds and character, and I expect that I be judged by the same scale. One doesn't get a pass, pay or promoted because they belong to any group or demographics, no more than one should get demoted, lower scale, or disregarded. This is how the workforce and the rest of the world should evaluate people and performance. Regardless of our physical attributes, it is who we are in deed and what we do that ultimately matters. Anyone, that judges anyone based on gender, race, age, social demographic with either a positive or negative lens is wrong. both positions are equally as biased. I am no more a good person because I am female than I am a bad person because I am female. I don’t deserve a position or pay because I am female, no more than I deserve to be passed up on a position or pay because I am female. Bottom line equality, true equality means we are all evaluated by the same standards, and measure…no head start or training wheels involved.