Workplace Discrimination Against Mothers in America

Midina Jean-Philippe

Co-Presenters: Marylyn Madu, Heather Gonzalez

College: College of Liberal Arts

Major: Psychology

Faculty Research Mentor: Adara Goldberg

Abstract:

The idea of unique vs special treatment, popularized in the 1970’s and 1980’s, refers to the principle that employers discriminate against those considered to have various levels of ability. While special treatment in the workplace can be seen as a positive to some, this preferential treatment for the target employee is considered offensive and is commonly based on favoritism rather than merit as many of the favored employees tend to be women where employers are men. For this research, our focal point is pregnant women because they differ from what society defines as an “efficient worker” in that their physical ability is temporarily reduced while they are carrying their child. In this scenario, women are seen as victims of gender imbalance when compared to their male counterparts, promoting a toxic “othering" of which men are the domineers and completely denies intersectionality, erasing other factors of female-presenting struggle. The conservative perspective demoralizes women’s rights using the notion of victim feminism, which is to say pity, from their male counterparts instead of benefits based on merit. Victim Feminism is often criticized as more counterproductive towards achieving gender equality. (Vogel, 1993; Blum & Vogel, 1995). By concentrating and not directly facing these issues, progress towards workplace equality risks being set back by decades. Pregnant women deserve the benefits reserved for undergoing major physical changes with the understanding that they will be able to return at full capacity in time.