Gender Roles
A look inside political cartoons
GENDER INEQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE
Background:
Women’s participation in the workplace has grown throughout the years since the 70’s, but stereotypes and inequality still find their way into the everyday work force, and women are still targeted. In the 2,000’s, female employment reached 60 percent, but in 2010 it declined to 46.7 percent and it isn’t expected to increase by 2018 (DOL 2014). Women do lose jobs to men due to occasional sexist circumstances. As a society there has been a huge push for equality, but inequality still happens. Many of the political cartoons over the years utilize satire to illustrate where and how women are still affected by unequal treatment in the workplace.
NCWGE "Title IX at 30 Report Card on Gender Equity", 1102
DOL 2014. “Women’s Employment During the Recovery”, Washington, D.C
Team Member Name: Cassidy Long
Publication: The Buffalo News
Date: 11/11/2013
Cartoonist: Adam Zyglis
U.S./International: US
Title of cartoon: Workplace Discrimination
Cartoon # 1
Tone of the cartoon:
1) Negative framing of the issue.
2) Framing is supportive to those who agree with workplace discrimination against gay community.
3) Framing is opposed to the gay community.
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
A well dressed man is carrying a suitcase with the label "gays" on it. Around his ankle is a ball and chain that states the words "workplace discrimination". There is a second man in the cartoon wearing a suit and tie. He wears a button that classifies him as a member of the GOP. A halo appears to be above his head. And a word bubble from his mouth reads. "This is clearly about religious freedom."
Which side is supported by the framing of the cartoon?
The framing of this cartoon supports the GOPs view on sexual orientation. By showing the GOPs strong belief in religion.
What evidence can you give that the cartoon supports one side or the other?
Workplace discrimination happens every day whether you're a man or woman what are you classify as straight for falling to the LGBTQIA category. This cartoon specifically talks about discrimination towards gays. Sexual orientation discrimination is when someone treat you unfairly or differently than your other peers. This can result in her ass man of many forms from sexual to verbal. Many states have laws that are sent to prevent workplace discrimination however, according to USA today there are 28 states where it is illegal to fire someone based on sexual orientation. This evidence goes to show that there is inequality in the workplace
What “reality” is constructed/framed about your issue?
(In other words, what does the cartoonist want you to believe after looking at this cartoon?)
The cartoonist wants readers to believe that workplace discrimination isn't about sexual orientation, they want you to believe that it is about religious freedom. The GOP associate themselves with a more conservative view on sex and gender.
Analysis:
Symbolism plays a key role in this cartoon.the man labeled as gay is tethered to a ball and chain. The ball and chain represents imprisonment by workplace discrimination. The man that represents the GOP is wearing a halo, a tie with a cross on it, and a key to unlock the the ball and chain. The religious sim old correlate to the beliefs of the GOP.
Labeling also plays a key role in this cartoon. From the man's briefcase with the word gays scrawled across it, to the defeating ball and chain that clearly describes workplace discrimination as something he cannot rid himself from.
Resources:
Calfas, J. (2015, August 01). Employment discrimination: The next frontier for LGBT community. Retrieved March 31, 2016, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/31/employment-discrimination-lgbt-community-next-frontier/29635379/
Sexual Orientation Discrimination in the Workplace - FindLaw. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2016, from
Zyglis, A. (2013, November 11). CagleCartoons.com - View Image. Retrieved March 31, 2016, from http://www.caglecartoons.com/viewimage.asp?ID={A7D42BDA-C647-4F97-805C-ECBD821B16B5}
Team Member Name: Ryan Taylor
Publication: Bennett Cartoons
Date: 9/4/2014
Cartoonist: Clay Bennett
U.S./International: U.S.
Title of cartoon: Lack a Y-Chromosome
Cartoon #2
Tone of the cartoon: Somber
1) Negative framing of the issue.
2) Framing is supportive for equal treatment of women in the workforce.
3) Framing is opposing those that believe women are treated equally in the workforce.
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
In the cartoon, a woman is displayed as homeless and she is asking for a “Y-chromosome”. The context of this cartoon is that women are overlooked in the work force. They aren’t necessarily left homeless as the cartoon is suggesting, but they are nonetheless, overlooked. Women are facing promotion rates that are 34 to 47 percent lower than men (Covert, B). In addition, the face lower pay, harassment, and in some cases, negative sexist treatment.
Which side is supported by the framing of the cartoon?
The framing of the cartoon carries varying themes, slogans, and metaphors that all support equal treatment for women in the workforce. The saying “lacking a Y-chromosome” is common among the equal rights movement because it Y-chromosomes are sometimes associated with dominance and success. The woman holding the sign and being apparently homeless is a metaphor to society because it implies that because woman lack a Y-chromosome, they can’t support themselves.
What evidence can you give that the cartoon supports one side or the other?
The evidence that the cartoon supports equal rights is in the sign and the state of the woman. Because she is homeless and holding a sign that says she is lacking a Y-chromosome, it implies that women are mistreated in the workforce because they lack the “necessary” chromosome for success.
What “reality” is constructed/framed about your issue?
The cartoonist wants to believe that women struggle to obtain job opportunities because they aren’t men. Not to an extreme where they absolutely can’t obtain jobs, but that there is an injustice in the work force in addition to a prejudice.
Analysis:
The cartoon takes a bold stance in depicting a woman struggling to find a job because of her lack of Y-Chromosome. It can be interpreted that the cartoonist is claiming that women can’t get jobs at all, but it is a dramatization for a more important message. A message that woman deserve equal treatment, and they should be able to succeed in the workforce without restraints based on their gender.
Resources:
Covert, B. (2014). Women With The Same Qualifications As Men Get Passed Over For Promotion. Retrieved March 30, 2016, from http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/12/22/3606282/women-promotions/
Mike Luckovich's Editorial Cartoons - Civil Rights Comics And Cartoons | The Cartoonist Group. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2016, from http://www.cartoonistgroup.com/subject/The-Civil Rights-Comics-and-Cartoons-by-Mike Luckovich's Editorial Cartoons.php
Team Member Name: Glennon Petersen
Publication: Lefty Cartoons
Date: April 3rd 2013
Cartoonist: Barry Deutsch
U.S.
Title of cartoon: “Equal Opportunity Employer”
Cartoon# 3
Tone of the cartoon:
1) Negative framing of the issue – this woman and child do not have the same level of opportunities as men do.
2) Framing is supportive to supporters – this comic should empower women, making them want to pursue jobs that are out of reach for them, getting more and more equal opportunities presented to them.
3) Framing is opposed to opponents – the framing in this cartoon are opposed to men, presenting equal opportunities rights to women.
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
The cartoon opens up showing a woman holding a child’s hand in a fairly depressing area, standing at the entrance of a building. They are faced with a cutout entrance labeled with “Really Good Careers” and “An equal opportunity employer” and what appears to be a male silhouette, making it quite clear that the woman and the child are not going to be able to fit in there. The context of this cartoon would be that woman do not have the same opportunities than men do, even though the companies claim to do so.
What “reality” is constructed/framed about your issue?
Men have the whole monopoly when it comes to jobs while women always seem to get the shaft. The woman and the child in this cartoon do not possess the requirements that allow them to participate in these jobs, such requirements being that they are not male. The cartoonist wants you to believe that women do not have equal rights to men, which I believe he has accomplished (Wilson, 2015).
Analysis: The symbolism in this cartoon is very out in the open. The silhouette of the man shows that only men can have certain things while women are left out on the street. She has a small child with her, while also being in a dismal part of town, leading me (the reader) to assume that she is not doing well and not being able to provide for her family. It’s unfortunate that she isn’t able to have a job and provide for her family, just because she isn’t a man.
Resources: Wilson, N. (2015, October 9). Women in Male Dominated Professions. Retrieved March 31, 2016, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/women-in-male-dominated-professions/
Team Member Name: Glennon Petersen
Publication: Articizans
Date: 09/04/2014
Cartoonist: Paul Fell
U.S.
Title of cartoon: Interns
Cartoon #4
Tone of the cartoon:
1) Negative framing of the issue – the woman is being looked down upon by the man, pointing to a negative context upon the issue
2) Framing is opposed to supporters – this cartoon really demeans women, making them all seem like they aren’t important enough to be remembered by men and their superiors.
3) Framing is supportive of opponents – this cartoon really depicts men as the alpha, making opponents of the equal rights act more powerful and demeaning towards women.
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
The scene is a man (likely the woman’s boss) is conversing with a woman (likely to be his employee) about how she doesn’t get paid as much as her male coworkers. The man doesn’t seem to care that she’s making less, but instead makes an incredibly snarky comment asking her where his coffee is, probably thinking that she is his intern. The context of this is women’s pay and how it is obviously less than men’s, following up the equal rights and pay acts that are going on in this day and age.
What “reality” is constructed/framed about your issue?
The reality in this cartoon is a dim and somber one, where women aren’t even remembered by their peers. They’re also not making as much money as her male coworkers, making the situation even more terrible. The worst part of this comic is the fact that her boss appears to be laughing in her face about the situation, adding insult to injury by asking where is coffee is. New research entitled “Women in the Workplace,” conducted by LeanIn.org and McKinsey, surveyed 30,000 men and women at 118 North American companies, and paints a disturbing picture of how much work needs to be done to reach gender equality in the workplace (Forbes, 2015).
Analysis:
It’s quite sad looking back on this comic, as it not only depicts women as inferior and less important people, but it slams the door in the face of feminists by not remembering who they are and what they do for the company. I guess the main symbol in this cartoon is her boss laughing in her face, showing that he truly does not care about the issues that are going on with equal rights acts or the fact that she’s making less than her coworkers.
Resources: Meister, J. (2015, October 8). Women In The Workplace: Three Questions To Ask Your Leaders. Retrieved March 31, 2016, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeannemeister/2015/10/08/women-in-the-workplace-three-questions-to-ask-your-leaders/#4dbf772268ff
Team Member Name: Kaitlyn Guiver
Publication: Cagle Cartoons – The Salt Lake Tribune
Date: 8/05/2015
Cartoonist: Pat Bagley
U.S./International: U.S.
Title of cartoon: The Office
Cartoon #5
Tone of the cartoon: Lightly satirical.
1) Negative framing of the gender equality.
2) Framing is opposed to supporters of gender equality.
3) Framing is supportive of opponents of gender equality.
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
Typically, women get cold easier than men do, and this cartoon is playing off of that and bringing it into the scene of the workplace. A health website states that science has actually proven that women are more sensitive to the cold than men (Ballinger, 2012). Instead of noticing and caring for this need of the females in the office, the men in this cartoon are completely oblivious to the fact that the women are all bundled up with their space heaters and coffee to warm up. We see inequality by the way that the men appear. They're wearing T-shirts and shorts and looking completely comfortable. One man says “Cold? I never noticed.” The temperature is at a comfortable level for men while the women all freeze, and the men don't do anything about it.
Which side is supported by the framing of the cartoon?
The side that woman are treated unequally is supported by this negative framing of gender equality in the workplace.
What evidence can you give that the cartoon supports one side or the other?
Of course there is some exaggeration here, but the point comes across even more clearly because of it. These women are obviously uncomfortably cold and the men are obliviously comfortable. We know this to be true because of the label at the bottom that says, “Office temperature set for male comfort.” This further proves that the men are in control here and there is an issue with gender equality.
What “reality” is constructed/framed about your issue?
This cartoon is asking you to open your eyes and see that today in the workplace men are in ultimate control. As depicted in this cartoon, there are some offices today where the needs of the women go unnoticed or ignored, and the needs and voice of the men are overbearing.
Analysis: