Biological Differences

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1. What is the author’s main purpose?
a. “Although research shows that the sexual division of labor is determined by multiple social, economic, and political forces, day-to-day struggles of women for safe and equal integration in the workplace confront discourse on biological differences. Perceived differences between men and women may influence job assignments, sick leave policies and access to workers compensation payments, taking precedence over the reality of job/worker interactions.” (Messing & Lippel, 2000, p. 21). The author’s main purpose is to inform readers that many jobs, more specifically labor demanding jobs. Women are denied these jobs due to their physical appearance and biological differences compared to a man’s.
2. What was/were …show more content…
Key questions that the authors had in mind when they researched and wrote the article were: How do “biological differences” play important factor in “women’s struggle to achieve equality in the workplace” without compromising their own safety and health? (Messing & Lippel, 2000, p. 22) “What kind of tasks designs minimize male-female differences in lifting strength?” (Messing & Lippel, 2000, p. 22) Do companies focus too much on a women’s menstrual health to the point where it becomes a key factor on why they are limited to certain jobs?
3. What evidence (facts, data, experiences, sources – be sure to look at the footnotes) does the author use to support his/her conclusions?
a. “Research findings on the average performances of white women and men…” (Messing & Lippel, 2000, p. 23) “A case appealed successfully to the Supreme Court of Canada…” (Messing & Lippel, 2000, p. 23)
The authors acquired evidence from studies conducted by scientists, journals, and Supreme Court Cases to support their conclusions. The journal itself received support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Experts in genetics, ergonomics, law, and physiology contributed information to the …show more content…
“Essentialist conceptions of the workplace would put men in jobs requiring endurance, repetition and fitness…” otherwise an increase in illnesses will occur. “By evidence that, in a sexually divided workplace, both women and men become ill from their jobs.” (Messing & Lippel, 2000, p. 39)
b. One of the authors key conclusions is that “women’s specific occupational health problems…do not rise from their biology, but from sexism and from the workplace’s failure to recognize and accommodate diversity” (Messing & Lippel, 2000, p. 40)
5. What are the most important ideas (key concepts/contextual information) that you would have to understand in order to understand the author’s line of reasoning?
a. The most important idea to understand in order to understand the author’s line of reason is that women aren’t limited to “tough” jobs because of their physical appearance or biological composition but rather by companies who lack the desire to adjust jobs for all shapes and sizes.
b. Men encounter many occupational accidents but no one questions their abilities. Instead, companies who have male-dominate jobs invest a lot of money into accident prevention. (Messing & Lippel, 2000, p. 40)
6. What, if anything, might the author be taking for granted? (Put another way – What assumptions does he/she make that might be
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