The Old Folks Home

[perchie.girl]

Perchie, you are amazing! All on a high school diploma. Just think of what you could have done with an engineering degree. It's a shame jobs for women then weren't like they are now. DH and I were talking about that the other day. In 1971 when I graduated from HS the main job opportunities for women are 1)teacher, 2) secretary, 3) nurse 4) mother/housewife.

Pretty much the same in 73.... outside of computers my main love was writing but was discouraged in that it was a too competitive field. I couldn't bear the idea of nursing... so when i dropped out I went into retail... working at sears. That"s the period of time that the fields began to open up for women... and they had placed quotas for affirmative action... Plus I had several good ole boys in the good ole boy network who were willing to let me learn.
I was lucky... I was able to pay my dues just like the rest of the good ole boys...

deb

 

[trumpeting_angel]

I remember trying to choose between teacher, secretary, and nurse! I’ve been a secretary and a teacher before I went to grad school and became a psychologist.

Did you know that as more women go into a field, the salaries go down? It happened in psychology. They called it the “feminization”
of a field.

Charming.

 

[perchie.girl]

It’s really hard to be a woman in those environments. Just ask @perchie.girl ! Even when they don’t intend to, men in male-dominated fields sometimes just don’t see women as peers. Working in criminal justice and in the courts, I’ve seen changes over the years.

Once there was a threat on the defendant’s life. The court officers were trying to beef up security for the arraignment. (He had killed a child.). One suggestion floated was to get all the women and children out of the courtroom. Um, okay, but that would prohibit the judge, probation officer, prosecutor, and court psychologist (me) from being present!

Had to go to Plan B.

Don’t get me started. But that was back in the 80s; it’s better now.

yep the double standard is a difficult one.... then dont get me on to politically correct. Or being told the only reason you got the job was because of employment quotas... Many times I had to emphasize the fact that I paid my dues ... and yes I had gaps in my knowledge but my practical experience out weighed the gaps.

As in all fields any one worth their salt will admit they cant know everything... Only where to find it...

deb

 

[perchie.girl]

I remember trying to choose between teacher, secretary, and nurse! I’ve been a secretary and a teacher before I went to grad school and became a psychologist.

Did you know that as more women go into a field, the salaries go down? It happened in psychology. They called it the “feminization”
of a field.

Charming.

Charming is right.... I was consistently paid five to ten dollars less than the others... The reasoning was that lack of a degree. Plus I didn't seem to understand the concept of salary negotiation. Then there were women who dressed to the nines as well... those seemed to be a bit better at salary negotiations... SMH.

I worked with one who couldnt design her way out of a paper bag... But she got invited to all the "working meetings".... I was thrilled once when my boss invited me to Hooters with the rest of the guys... He hid his dismay when I said Of course I will go....

deb

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Ugh, Hooters. How about having two bosses proposition me?

Aren’t we supposed to look back on this with amusement? Maybe it’s my mood. It doesn’t seem funny.

My daughter has a strong sense of herself, never takes any crap, and expects to be treated well. And she is, by and large. Self-confident and polite, she is progressing well in her career.

I was pretty sure I was raising her right when in the first grade Christmas play, all the boys were supposed to be toy soldiers and all the girls, Betty Beautiful dolls. Not
my girl. She was a toy soldier, and told off the boys who objected! She is more diplomatic today!

 

[perchie.girl]

Ugh, Hooters. How about having two bosses proposition me?

Aren’t we supposed to look back on this with amusement? Maybe it’s my mood. It doesn’t seem funny.

My daughter has a strong sense of herself, never takes any crap, and expects to be treated well. And she is, by and large. Self-confident and polite, she is progressing well in her career.

I was pretty sure I was raising her right when in the first grade Christmas play, all the boys were supposed to be toy soldiers and all the girls, Betty Beautiful dolls. Not
my girl. She was a toy soldier, and told off the boys who objected! She is more diplomatic today!

Good for her.....

I had a boss stand outside my cubicle and ask me if I wanted to see his Elephant imitation... I Said, "only if it can pick up apples" The whole room snorted....and he just about fell over laughing. I was pretty good at slinging it back.

deb

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Good for her.....

I was pretty good at slinging it back.

deb

I’ll say!

 

[perchie.girl]

part of the dues.... Worst job I ever worked at about "harrassment" was working in a machine shop... At the time there were only two women working in there one was the girlfriend of a machinist and under his watchful eye.

As an entry level I was a machine operator.... lowest man besides the clean up guys...
I got jokes pulled on me Lewed pictures and off color jokes... I never gave them the satisfaction of "Acting Girly"..... and eventually they left me alone.

Thought one time I left my gloves sitting on the floor by my machine and went to lunch. When I came back I put my gloves on to start work I noticed there was a hush around the room.... something was poking my finger I pulled my hand out to remove the chip that I thought was there and found one of these chewing on my finger.

yes and those jaws were opposible and can fit the end of my finger between them.

Of course I jerked my hand out and shook it... but I had never seen one before so I hunkered down to give it a good look.

I scooped it in a can and asked if anyone wanted it.... Not a soul.... LOL.

Later on I found it was called a Camel Spider.... found all over the US and the Middle east.

deb

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I'll let you know it's a bit better than that now, thankfully.

 

[perchie.girl]

I'll let you know it's a bit better than that now, thankfully.

LOL yep.....