What a revoltin' development dis is!

**Lon Frank** · September 26th, 2002, 04:42 PM

My son, who has a college degree (psycology), is fluently bilingual, MCSE computer literate, good credit, etc, etc, just applied for a job. It was a position dealing with emotionally disturbed children and their parents. I think he would be very good at it, and have the opportunity to help people in the community. It is staffed through a quasi-governmental agency, funded by the state dept of mental health.

Anyway, he goes to the interview today, and his potential boss, a young (minority) woman just barely older than him, tells him that the position has been traditionally filled by women.

Well, let me think, wasn't it just about 20 years ago that ALL supervisory positions, INCLUDING HER'S were filled by white men?

When I worked for the state, I filled every one of the biologist positions under me with women. I stood up for one in particular, young and divorced, which no one else wanted to hire. She is now the District Manager ($80K annually), and I hope is doing a fine job.

But now, my son is warned that he may be passed over because the job is traditionally filled by women? I wonder if my encouragement of women in the workplace wasn't misguided afterall.

**the mule** · September 26th, 2002, 05:14 PM

Lon, in this case the client population may be uncomfortable dealing with men. Just a thought.

**Lon Frank** · September 26th, 2002, 05:27 PM

Helen, I thought of that point as well. But, I'd be willing to bet that a good percentage of the children involved are boys, being raised by a single mother. I would think that in this situation, an older male might be just what is needed. This has been the idea behind lots of organizations such as YMCA, Boysclubs, Boy Scouts and Big Brothers.

I'll admit, that not having any sisters, my son might have to learn to relate to younger girls, and that could ba a problem. Also, due to his young age, teenaged girls might not want to confide in him or work with his ideas.

**FrmlyZ** · September 26th, 2002, 06:45 PM

Yes, many there be that have run out of their wits for women, and become servants for their sakes. Many also have perished, have erred and sinned, for women.... O ye men, how can it be but women should be strong, seeing they do thus? ESDRAS

Best Wishes,,,,,,

Z