Using Gender at Work: Discrimination?

The U.S. Marines seem to think that’s okay in Afghanistan, which admittedly isn’t exactly a normal workplace. The Marines are openly asking female soldiers to take the lead in dealing with Afghan women. And the reason is based strictly on gender.

Though Afghanistan is a male-dominated culture, the Marines have determined that Afghan women, particularly in rural areas, have a lot of influence and information. Finding out what they know has become increasingly important. Male Marines don’t do that nearly as well as female Marines. As a matter of fact, male Afghans are more open to female Marines than they are to male Marines. An old Afghan male recently invited a female Marine into his house by saying, “Your men come to fight, but we know the women are here to help.” Sexual stereotyping?

Afghanistan isn’t America. The Marines deal with matters of life and death every day, unlike most American workers. But should this Marine “experiment” give us reason to be more realistic when it comes to regular type jobs?

I suppose there’s still debate about this proposition, but it seems more settled now than ever that women do some things better than men, and men do some things better than women. That can obviously create a tricky situation and can provide a loophole for employers still uncomfortable with female workforces.

The history of sex discrimination in this country requires a law to prevent it. It shouldn’t, however, require ignoring reality and acting stupidly.