Course Deals With Ethics of Women’s Work

Academically, economics instructor Denise Dimon and Harriet Baber, assistant professor of philosophy, are worlds apart. However, they are teaching a new course this semester at the University of San Diego, “Women in Work.”

Baber said that Dimon provides the data and she talks about the ethical implications of that information.

“It seems to be working very well,” she said. “Our students have all had to take philosophy courses, so USD students are pretty philosophically sophisticated.”

The two educators will also hold a public forum in which they will attempt to answer the question, “What Can Be Done to Improve Women’s Economic Status?” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Manchester Conference Center at USD. They will examine the economic and social forces that have led to women’s new economic role in society.

Dimon said that, although many older women are stagnating in traditional, low-paying jobs, younger women are pursuing more male-dominated occupations. In 1980, 13.9% of doctors were women, a significant increase from 9.7% in 1970.

Dimon, as a labor economist, has researched the topic of women in the labor market. She said that occupational segregation in the work force has declined since the 1960s, but she warns that one must be careful when analyzing the data.

“Although statistics might state that there are 50% women and 50% men in sales, these statistics do not break down how many women are sales representatives for large business firms and how many are in retail,” Dimon said.

Flexibility Sought

“Many women are choosing occupations that have fewer hours, or are easier to move in and out of to have children, raise children and for whatever other reasons. These jobs pay lower wages.”

For this reason, many employers don’t hire women, said Baber, who is interested in the ethical aspects of women working.

“Although it is against the law to discriminate on these bases, it is a rational reason not to hire a woman,” Baber said. “However, 50% of the differentials in the work force can’t be explained and must be blamed on discrimination.

“In general, I think that it would be appropriate for the government to intervene. And I think there should be some sort of affirmative action.”

“Things do appear to be getting better; people are marrying later and having children later,” Dimon said. “But the older women are stranded. Some of the short-run solutions are income transfers, job training or welfare. But something has to be done.”