Stereotyping gender sounds like something from a Hitchcock movie. We barely take notice of this topic, believing it is not an issue anymore. I think this is another one of societies hidden vulnerabilities.
According to the CIPR 2011, their survey revealed that 55% of women work in PR, but even when women are the majority in a given profession, it doesn’t necessarily equate into a level playing field, men are the ones holding the power and earning the top salaries.
There is no dispute that women have come a long way. "The Iron Lady" broke box office records last month, showing (amongst other issues) the struggle of a woman coming to power against the condemnation of an institution. It is a story we like to refresh. To be honest it is a story that is never likely to go away, certainly not in my lifetime. From the advent of religion, gender has and will continue to be an issue.
Many of the practitioners in the PR industry are freelancers and this career option for a woman can be beneficial when starting a family. However, in saying this, men are increasingly becoming 'stay at home fathers' and sharing responsibility of raising their children. The option of freelance dominating the industry can provide more of an explanation why it is 'influenced' by women but being 'governed' by men. Are the women in industry only in it for the short term and prefer a healthy balance of life/work ergo leaving more opportunities at a senior level for men?
I like to think there is no discimination when it comes to working within the PR industry, but I am certain this is not the case. The real winner in the 'work race' is the individual who can maintain a healthy life/work balance and this is not specific to gender or industry.
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