What is affirmative action and how does it work?

Chapter Nine: This chapter focuses on the paid and unpaid work performed inside and outside the home. Alongside a discussion of women’s unpaid household labor, it addresses contemporary patterns of women’s paid work, including changing patterns of participation, the dual labor market and globalization and the changing economy (including salary figures). These sections focus on issues of horizontal and vertical segregation and answer the question why, after legal changes to address “equal pay for equal work,” women on average still earn less than men.

Answer the following question fully in 5-7 sentences each:

  1. How much do women earn compared to men? How does this vary by race? What is comparable worth?
  2. What is affirmative action and how does it work?
  3. What kinds of jobs have you held? What kinds of jobs have women in your family held? How do these jobs compare to the trends on horizontal and vertical segregation?