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During World War II, while many of America’s workforces was fighting the Nazis and the Japanese, many women found themselves entering into an area that had never been readily available to them. During a time of crises, women stepped up and did the work that their husbands, sons, and fathers had been doing for generations. So many, in fact, were fighting in the war that women had to work. For the first time, women became a major portion of the workforce and have continued to fill those positions since. Even though several years have passed since the war ended, women are finding that the pay is not always equal to their male counterparts. There are several reasons for this that must be covered. First, one must consider the time that has passed since women entered the work force. Second, the education level of both males and females, as well as the degrees that each received. Third, the male population in the work force must be compared to that of the female. Fourth, one must take into account the female homemaker when compared to males that work full time away from home. Each of these areas are important and will be dealt with in a thorough manner. [Good, clear introduction!] Today, one would expect a higher percentage of women to hold top-level positions in U.S. companies. Unfortunately, the statistics show that there are very few women that hold these prestigious positions. For 40 years woman have been in the workforce and yet they continue to hold very few top-level corporate positions today. Women make up 3% of the top corporate officers in the companies that comprise the Fortune 500, and women hold no more than 6% of the Chief Executive Officer slots in Internet companies that are financed by major venture-capital firms. [what is your source? You need to cite for statistics like this.] This gender gap is closing, and though it may be a small step for the current females in the workforce; it is a large step in the way of future ventures. By taking active steps to improve gender discrimination and education, females are making their imprint on the corporate world like they never have before. They are paving the way for future generations to lead and manage companies in the high high-stakes arena with less discrimination and more knowledge. Although women have come a long way in the workforce, they have had to pay a great price for their progress. Many women are no longer staying at home, but they have become full time career women with families. This has been both good and bad. One of the positive effects that women have made had by going to work is the affect on the economy. The economy has been boosted by the purchases of homes, cars, and other things that would other wise remain unaffordable with one income. Women are able to contribute fiscally[financially?] to society in this regard, and it has created a higher standard of living. Families are able to do more, such as taking vacations, sending children to private schools, or even paying for college ahead of time. More families are experiencing luxuries that were not available to them before women became a major part of the workforce. Another reason that women are making their presence known is because they are becoming more educated and getting the proper training that is necessary for them to obtain higher paying jobs. While women still struggle to earn the same amount as men, the gap between what each makes has narrowed. In 1967, the difference in the pay scale for full-time female workers versus full-time male workers was 60 cents to every dollar paid to men.
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