As a golf professional at a nearby golf club, I am faced with diversity and gender issues on a daily basis. When golf originated, it was known as a gentlemen's game. Although times have changed and women have come to enjoy the game, the majority of members at the club are men and all of the employees are men accept for the female general manager. Accepting her as part of the club is difficult for most. Both direct and indirect comments are made.
I think this is a good example of a stereotype. "Many people stereotype women as emotional and weak and stereotypes such as these can distort our perceptions" (Wood, p. 123). They don't take into consideration her abilities. They are immediately blinded by the fact that she is a woman, and to a majority of the male members, "trying" to do a man's job. "Relying on stereotypes can lead us to overlook important qualities of individuals and to perceive them only in terms of what we consider common to general category (Wood, p. 123).
I don't know if this type of stereotype will ever change completely in such a male dominated establishment, but I guess everyone will have to begin to accept it.
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Comment to Glenn's Week #2 Post:
A child needs a solid foundation---a place he/she can call home. As good as it may sound, living in different places for short periods of time will have an effect on a child. They will never be able to develop any long lasting friendships. This type of life does not provide structure, which is essential to a child's development. There is nothing wrong with a child travelling from place to place on a vacation and experiencing different cultures, but a child needs a home base.
As I was reading your post, I realized you mentioned that the GM of the golf club was a female. I am shocked that a woman would be a GM only because it's a golf club and the majority of the population is male. I am very happy that a woman is the GM in a male dominant place. Soon enough a woman's dollar will be equal to a man's dollar. Stereotypes will still linger on in the future, but at least women would bypass stereotypes that would objectify her.
John,
You make mention that the expectation is that she has to do the job as "man's job" to do it well... How does she fill the role of GM? Are these responsibilities that need to be done regardless of gender? Have you seen changes at the club that bring a new perspective to the operation? Why is it so difficult to accept her as the GM for some members. Makes me thing that to accept a woman as a President some day, we need to start with small changes in our thinkging as seen in everyday operations like Golf clubs. Your thoughts?
Prof. M.,
The GM is responsible for overseeing operations of the entire golf club (golf course, pro shop, restaurant and kitchen) and is also responsible for memberships. Obviously, this job can be done regardless of gender. However, many members still cannot accept this. They belive that golf is still only a man's sport and only men belong at the golf club. Many people can be very narrow-minded and cannot easily accept change. However, change is upon us and we all need to learn to accept it.
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