Define the concept of glass ceiling. Present the pay gap between males and females and describe how the glass ceiling prevents females from obtaining top positions.

Come with me and enter a world where unending sentences spew from individuals fascinated by other individuals. A place where understanding is endlessly sought after and words like "amalgamation" take shape and meaning. A small number of people reside in this world, but there is immense potential for positive change and the improvement of disadvantaged people's lives.

"Alright, today we are going to learn about the glass ceiling."

Dr. Adler stood behind his desk with his glasses slightly askew and his gray hair flying in more directions than usual.

"All the ceilings in this place are glass, just like all the walls." spouted Jimmy from the back of the room.

"Yes, Jimmy, that's true. We desire complete transparency here, and any reminder of that goal is helpful."

Everyone in the room either let out a resigned sigh or stifled a laugh at the professor's grave manner and complete seriousness.

"As I said," continued Dr. Adler, "today we are studying the concept of the glass ceiling and the effects it has. Does anyone have any ideas as to what this might be?"

"Something people run into when trying to move up in the world?" Suzy timidly proffered.

"Yes, Suzy," replied Dr. Adler. "That is the general idea of the concept. Who do you think this 'ceiling' specifically applies to?"

"Well, I remember my dad reading something out of the Wall Street Journal by two people named Carol Hymowitz and Timothy Schellhardt on March 24, 1986 and telling me something about it." said Suzy. "Does it apply to women?"

"True, it does." said Dr. Adler. "And thank you for that very specific reference. That article you mentioned was actually where the term 'glass ceiling' was coined."

The professor walked around from behind his desk, adjusted his glasses, and began slowly pacing as he talked to the students. Now the lecture was really starting.

"Now, let me see if I can remember the exact definition. I read it in a textbook by a man named John E. Farley..."

He stared at the floor for a good long while. The sun glittered on the leaves of the trees outside that were so visible through the transparent structure.

At length, he said "Rubbish. It has escaped me."

Grumbling, he returned to his desk and read off a piece of paper.

"Ah, yes. He states that the glass ceiling is 'An informal upper limit that keeps women and minorities from being promoted to the positions of greatest responsibility in work organizations.'"

"Why would anyone try to discriminate against women and minorities?" asked Jimmy.

Suzy immediately raised her hand.

"Yes, Suzy?" asked Dr. Adler.

"Well, maybe it isn't always intentionally put there. Maybe it just kind of comes about because of many different things like stereotypes."

"Right you are, Suzy," said Dr. Adler as he walked back to the white board. "A glass ceiling isn't often the result of intentional discrimination."

Writing with a squeaky red marker, he said "It often appears because of stereotypes, cultural conflicts, and favoritism."

"So if women can't get ahead, don't they make less money?" asked a voice in the back of the room, which might have been Jimmy, but no one could be sure because he was almost completely upside-down with his head in his backpack searching for an elusive Pop-Tart.

Suddenly, Steve stood up from his chair near the door.

"I jumped and hit my head on the ceiling one time!" he yelled.

"Thank you, Steven." politely responded the professor. "You may take your seat.

Steve sat back down with a smug expression that communicated his utter satisfaction with his contribution to the class.

"Yes, women and minority members do make less money," continued Dr. Adler. "In fact, in a single-mother home, the annual income is about $11,000 less than a single-father's income. And 28.6 percent of people in female-householder families are below the poverty level."

"Where's your citation?" sneered Jimmy.

Dr. Adler calmly wrote on the whiteboard: "(Farley, 250-251)" Jimmy gave an affirming nod.

"So, what do you think we can do to decrease the effects of the glass ceiling?" queried the professor.

"Make sure everyone in the workplace is getting the same offers." said the anonymous voice in the back.

"Consciously avoid discriminating against women and other minorities." said Suzy.

"EAT!" said Steve, again standing.

The rest of the class was silent. Dr. Adler simply looked at Steve with a knowing look and he returned to his seat.

"All very good ideas. That's it for today. Now your term paper is due on July 19th. See you all next week."

"Found it!" exclaimed Jimmy.

The class filed out with a hushed murmur of what the weekend ahead held for each of them. Dr. Adler erased everything on the whiteboard, returned to his seat, and pulled out his own snack from a desk drawer.

Works Cited

Farley, John E.. Majority-Minority Relations - 5th Edition. Alexandria, VA: Prentice Hall, 2005.

5 July, 2009