the Idea of Equality of Opportunity in American History

Throughout American history, the idea of equality of opportunity has played a major role in American society. Different factors such as equality in sports and legalizing same-sex marriage have had positive changes over time, but then there are other factors like gender discrimination in the workforce and health care that still have not changed for the better. On the basis of gender and sexuality, the U.S. has not fully satisfied the ideal of equal opportunity to its fullest.

American women still face gender discrimination all throughout society.

In the working industry, “about 42% of employed women say they have experienced some form of gender discrimination at work” (Gramlich). Women are treated as if they were not capable. Also, women are more likely to “receive less support from senior leaders” than men. They believe that a woman would not be as committed to the job and should just focus more on taking care of their family and home. Another critical issue of gender discrimination is the income gap. About 25% of woman say that they earn less money than someone of the other gender. Women are paid significantly less than the average white male with the same job (Gramlich). The gender imbalance in the workforce is highly significant, and as a result, has not lived up to the fundamental ideal of equality of opportunity.

Another issue that gender discrimination affects is women’s access to reliable and affordable health care. Women are denied health insurance and receive unfair and limited access to medical facilities. Often times, health insurance companies charge women more than men. The insurance typically did not include birth control or maternity care. Their needs were seen as a choice in lifestyle and were considered not as significant than disease (Garcia). When a woman needs medical attention, they are undertreated and dismissed. Their pain is perceived as being exaggerated and insignificant. A woman experiencing pain is not as important than a man experiencing the same pain. Another issue is the inability to get a correct diagnosis and treatment. Since most medical research is based mostly on the average white, middle-aged man, women may not show typical symptoms and receive little to no treatment for medical conditions. For example, “more women than men die from heart attacks each year due to lack of medical knowledge on women’s symptoms” (Garcia). The United States has not lived up to the American ideal of equal opportunity since women are still undertreated in health care.

Before Title IX, female athletes involvement and success in sports was not as significant due to lack of opportunity. During the 1972 Olympic games, the U.S. sent only 23 female athletes to the Olympics. Women were absent from the podium in gymnastics and did not earn gold in track and field. It was not until the passing of Title IX, that it “revolutionized women’s sports” (Myre). During the 2012 Olympics, American women won more medals than men (58 to 45), and in 2016, the women outnumbered men (292 to 263). In soccer, the American female soccer team with athletes such as Hope Solo and Carli Lloyd led a fourth consecutive gold. While in gymnastics, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas were on the female team and has dominated their sport for two consecutive years. Both Serena and Venus Williams continuously achieve high success winning gold in singles and their 4th consecutive gold in doubles for tennis. While swimmer Katie Ledecky won gold at the age of 15 and set a world record (Myre). The significant change in sports is one aspect of society that has lived up to the American ideal of equality of opportunity.

Another right that has changed positively is the rights of the LGBTQ community. Originally, same-sex marriage was illegal in the U.S. and marriage was considered only to be between a man and woman. Same-sex marriage went against traditional family values and many religions. Before, the LGBTQ community did not have much support and their views were denied by the public. Throughout time, more people supported LGBTQ rights and their claims became more plausible and desirable. As a result, same-sex marriage became legal throughout America (Ball). The public’s change of view on same-sex marriage lives up to the American ideal of equality of opportunity.

Throughout history, some social issues have had positive changes and outcomes, while others have not been changed significantly. Gender discrimination will always remain to be an issue that people will have to deal with on a daily basis in the United States. Women are still treated unequally in the workforce and health care. Medical research bias prevents women from getting a correct diagnosis and views women’s needs as inferior to men’s needs. On the other hand, the positive outcome of women’s sports and legalizing same-sex marriage has allowed equal opportunity for many people. Although the United States has lived up to the ideal of equality of opportunity through some positive changes, there are still issues that remain to be unchanged and do not abide by the fundamental American ideal.

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