Occupational Gender Segregation In British Labour Market Sociology Essay

Occupational Gender Segregation In British Labour Market Sociology Essay The essay will concentrate on the phenomenon of an occupational gender segregation that women continue to suffer in the labour market in Britain. Firstly this essay will look at some statistics surrounding women in the employment. Secondly, the paper will consider theories that try to explain the occupational segregation by sex. The essay will examined the neo-classical economic theories of human capital and rational choice. Moreover, the paper will evaluate if these theories stands up as an argument to reason the occupational gender segregation. Then the concept of patriarchy which is at the centre of feminist theory will be presented and appraised in connection with understanding the cause of occupational sex segregation. The last theory to be assessed in relation to disadvantage experienced by women in the labour market will be the idea of preference theory based on Catherine Hakims study. Despite over forty years since first Equal Opportunities legislation has been introduced, labour market in the United Kingdom is marked by the sexual segregation in occupations that women so often experience. Labour Market Statistics( 2010) highlights that 42.8% of female employees work in part-time jobs to compare with 11.9% of their male counterparts and 74.4% of all employees in part-time jobs are women; thus part-time jobs tend to be seen as womens work. This generates financial consequences for women. Recent survey by Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (2009, p.5) illustrates that the full time gender pay gap is at 16.4% and the part time gender pay gap is at 13.2%. The Equal Opportunities Commission (2006) estimated that the gender pay gap would lose a woman working on full-time basis a cumulative amount of  £330,000, or  £210,000 after taxes over her life. Labour Force Survey (2006, p.5) also points out that women predominantly work in service occupations whereby men most ly work in management occupations and in professions that require high level of knowledge and skills. The neo-classical economic theories of human capital and rational choice represent a prominent proposition that attempts to clarify the reasons behind occupational sex segmentation. (Blackburn et al., 2002, p.515) The rational theory suggests that employees and employers behave sensibly in the labour market. Thus, people decide to invest in their qualifications and gain work experience in order to obtain the highest level of income possible after assessing the level and quality of their human capital and existing constrains to enter particular occupation (Anker, 1997, p.317). Furthermore, employers look for the highest return possible by increasing productivity and reducing costs. However, the rationality of employers actions may cause unequal treatment of women in employment sphere (Kirton and Greene, 2005, p.55). According to human capital theory, women entering labour market offer lower level of knowledge and skills, and less suitable qualifications that employers are looking for compare to men partly due to inequality women experience within education system (Haggerty and Johnson, 1995 p.212 and 216) and partly because women are predominant child carers and are solely responsible for home activities (Anker, 1997, p.317). Moreover, women obtain lower level of work experience than their male counterparts due to temporary or permanent exit from the labour market to look after their youngsters and households (Kirton and Greene, 2005, p.55). Neo-classical theories indicate that house duties make women often to opt for a part-time work, a full-time job that does not require much effort and energy (Blackburn et al., 2002, p.517). Therefore, female workers are often regarded by employers as less committed and less professional (Epstein et al., 1999 in Hardill and Watson, 2000, pp.21-22). In accordance with Polacheks theory, women usually select occupations that do not carry severe penalties for short-term breaks that women take to care for their children and homes (England, 1982, p.363). Furthermore, the employers often link female employees with higher indirect costs, which the most known is maternity leave. It is said that women are more likely to be late or absent at work than men, possibly due to home responsibilities (Kirton and Greene, 2005, p.57). The women are often associated with high level of turnover as they often quit their jobs after childbirth or in some cases after getting married (Anker, 1997, p.317).Thus, according to Becker (1971 in Anker, 1997, p.320), employers are rational when they abstain to employ women in order to avoid higher indirect costs. Despite of neo-classical theories contribution to explaining occupational sex segregation, there are some issues when these theories are the only one considered. Evidences have indicated that womens participation in employment has risen in Britain since 70s (Kirton and Greene, 2005, p.60). Labour market statistics (November 2010, p.3) indicates that recent women employment rate stands at 65.7% compare with just 56 % in 1971(Office for National Statistics 2009).An introduction of house appliances such as washing machines, cookers and microwaves has decreased significantly the time required to perform certain house activities in recent decades (Bowden and Offer, 1994, p.728). Moreover, recently more women are force to work to sustain themselves and their children due to a higher proportion of single parent households (Buvini, 1995 in Kirton and Greene, 2005, p.60). Census (2001) statistics have indicated that 90.5 %of households in England and Wales are headed by single women. These ch anges indicate that women have increased their work experience and in this way they have enhanced their human capital (Kirton and Greene, 2005, p.60). Considering the human capital theory these changes should enable women to enter occupations. However, women still face barriers to enter those occupations (Anker, 1997, p.320), and the reason for that is not explained by the economic theories. In accordance with economic theories, lower level of income achieved by women is fair as their level of human capital is much lower than that of the male workers. However, pay inequality between men and women is much higher than would be anticipated based on human capital reasoning (Treiman and Hartmann, 1981; World Bank, 1994 in Blackburn et al., 2002, p.517). Furthermore, womens pay inequality is not only bounded to women with children. There are many professions which also badly reward single women. Although rational choice theory explains that there is a belief that all women will have children, recent researches have highlighted that more and more women are fully dedicated to their careers and decide to have no children on their own (Browne 2000; Franks 1999 in Blackburn et al., 2002, p.519). When looking at indirect costs, they are perceived to be higher for female employees than their male counterparts; however, the evidence has shown that the rate of absenteeism and turnover is very similar for both genders (Anker, 1997, p.319). The argument of human capital theory that women traditionally choose professions that are not costly when suspended for a short-time (Watts and Rich, 1993, p.60) is disapproved by England (1982). The evidence England has put forward indicates that professions with a high rate of women do not necessary carry lower penalties for short-term breaks from work than professions with lower rate of women (England, 1982, p.365). The neo-classical theories arguments applied alone offers just limited explanation for occupational sex segregation. Kirton and Greene (2005, p.62) have put forward questions that the economic theories do not explain; why do certain social groups on average come to the labour market with lower levels of education and in what are seen as less relevant subjects? Why is housework and childcare and elder care almost always the sole responsibility of women? The gender theory concept of patriarchy should fill the gaps that exist in economic theories discussed earlier. According to Hartmann (1976, p.152-3), occupational gender segregation is a result of the phenomenon of patriarchy. This concept is concerned with a social situation where women are in subordinate position and are dominated, exploited, and undermined by powerful men (Bender L., 1988, pp.5-6); thus it seems to be intended as an explanation of vertical segregation (Blackburn et al., 2002, p.521). Women around the world are generally perceived to be housewives, and men to be main breadwinners in households. This might explain why women are solely accountable for most of the house activities and childcare (Anker, 1997, p. 324). Due to patriarchal system, women joining labour market are affected by their free house work; their incomes are perceived as extra money added to a primary incomes of their husbands. This in turn stimulates the gender pay gap that exists in the United Ki ngdom (Kirton and Greene, 2005, p.64). The fact that women occupy subordinate positions and perform house duties solely might explain why women enter the labour market with lower levels of education and are more likely to obtain qualifications that are less relevant to the labour market as it is believed that women have a lower desire for qualifications that are appropriate to labour market (Anker, 1997, p.324). Although the patriarchy theory is indented to comprehend the concept of occupational sex segregation, many scholars have highlighted some limitations when considered separately. Walbys claim that men have usually been successful in excluding women from the better work (1986,p.248) is disputed by evidences seen in the British society where many women work in better professions, and have better working and living conditions than many of their male counterparts (Blackburn et al.2002, p.521) The patriarchy theory reasoning is also looking bad when we take into consideration recent developments in the labour market, where shrinking of the male trades (such as mining, steel and docking) and the expansion of the service sector has favoured women more than men. The evidences have shown that in some parts of UK women account for most then 50% of the entire workforce (Browne, 2000 in Blackburn et al., 2002, p.521). The preference theory is a connection between gender theory of patriarchy and Goldbergs (1973, 1979, and 1993) biological theories. Hakim (1996 in Crompton and Harris, 998b, p.144) argues that men are more ruthless and ambitious than women due to higher testosterone levels in their organism. She presents the evidence which indicates that male labour market dominance is strongly supported by both genders. Furthermore, Hakim believes that women are not the same and they differ in relation to their family and work commitments (Blackburn et al., 2002, p.523).Their choices between job and home are not limited by any significant restrictions (Hakim in McRae, 2003, p.318) but are based purely on their preferences. Hakim (2002, p.434) assigns women to three groups. The first group involves the work-centred females who are highly committed to their jobs. The second group are the home-centred women. Women belonging to this group are devoted to their families and prefer to stay at home (Blackbu rn, 2001, p.523). The third group includes the adaptive women who juggle job and home or women who have no idea where their careers are going (McRae, 2003, p. 318). Hakim (1996, p.211) suggests that male solidarity wins because women dither, because they are swayed by the dominant male voice and also because women are divided in their preferences and interests. Thus, the interplay between womens differences, an argument of patriarchy theory of male domination and womens diverse priorities explains the womens employment position in Britain (Crompton and Harris, 1998b, p.144). Hakim (2002, p.435-7) suggests that only small proportion of women are fully concentrated on their careers or families. Large majority of females integrate family and work without fully committing to either (Hakim, 2002, p.434). This view is supported by evidences that have shown that only 10% of first-time mothers remain in full-time work where 90% of mothers mix periods of full-time and part-time work or leave the labour market permanently (McRae, 2003, p.322-3) However, preference theory also has some deficiencies. Blackburn et al. (2002, p.525) disagree with an argument that womens choices are not limited by any constraints. They point out that concerns such as possible income and childcare costs have a great impact on women choices that might be far from their preferred choice. McRae (2003, p.333) suggests that the evidences introduced in her paper shows that women are not as diverse as suggested by Hakim in their choices in regards to their work and family lifestyle but they are different in their capacities to act on those preferences. These evidences are clashing with an assumption of preference theory about female heterogeneity. This concluding part of the essay offer some general conclusions about the applicability of the theories analysed in this paper for the reason behind the occupational gender segregation in Britain presented by statistical data. Discussed in the paper theories of neo-classical, patriarchy and preference have been very useful to understanding why women experience disadvantage in the labour market. They have offered different and sometimes contrasting arguments. Thus, the main argument of human capital theory is that women are disadvantaged due to their lower level of education and work experience which is a product of inequality in a schooling system and sole responsibilities for home and children. Contrary to human capital theory, preference theory has argued that women choose to be committed or uncommitted to their work careers and there are no major constrains to prohibit women from joining the labour market. On the other hand the concept of patriarchy has highlighted that male domi nation over women in societies is the main reason behind occupational gender segregation. Despite their great value to comprehend the cause of occupational segregation by sex, all of these theories are flawed to same degree and neither should be considered separately. To fully understand the reason for women disadvantage in the employment relationship, there is a need to bring neo-classical, patriarchy and preference theories together.

Norman Foster

Norman Foster  Ã‚  Norman Foster is a major contributor to twentieth century architecture both in the westernworld and further afield. After starting his studies in architecture over 50 years ago he has designeda range of buildings (and bridges) and continues to produce outstanding designs today. Aswell asexploring Foster's career this essay will focus primarily on two of Foster's buildings, Creek VeanHouse in Cornwall and the Willis Building in Ipswich (originally the Willis Faber and DumasHeadquarters).Born in Manchester on 1 June 1935 to working class parents, Foster was a bright studentwho after attending a private school and a grammar school was pressurised to leave early in order toearn a living. It wasn't until 1956 after working in a bakery, a city treasurer's office, a factory,selling furniture, spending time in the Royal Air Force on national service and studying commerciallaw that he finally started his studies in architecture.Graduating from Manchester university school of architecture and city planning in 1961, Foster won the Henry fellowship to study at Yaleuniversity where he obtained his master's degree and also met Richard Rogers, another Britisharchitect whom he became good friends with. In 1963 Rogers and Foster along with their  respective wives Su and Wendy formed ‘Team 4', a practice known for its high-tech designs and thegroup behind Creek Vean House. In 1967 Team 4 ended and Foster and Wendy set up Foster  Associates (now Foster and Partners).Between 1968 and 1983 Foster collaborated on a number of  Ã‚  projects including the Samuel Beckett Theatre project with Richard Buckminster Fuller whohappened to be one of his idols. Foster called him a â€Å"lone voice,† whose work with geodesicsdemonstrated how building form could be both economical and ecological. Orientation and  building form became, for Foster, touchstones in his design of ecological architecture. – Michael J. Crosbie, ArchitectureWeek.Foster Asso ciates has produced many well known works such as theSainsbury Centre in Norwich, the Hongkong and Shanghai bank, the Millau Viaduct in France, theBritish Museum Great Court in London and the Swiss Re tower in London to name but a few. Over  History and Theory of Architecture the years Foster Associates has achieved more than 190 awards and won over 50 competitions for  its work, in 1990 Foster was Knighted and in 1999 he was honoured with a life peerage giving himthe title Lord Foster Of Thames Bank, in the same year he became the 21 st Pritzker ArchitecturePrize laureate.Creak Vean house was the first work of group Team 4, built in 1964, it was commissioned  by Marcus Brumwell as a home for himself and his wife who were the parents of Su Rogers. Although Foster has concentrated more on buildings for the workplace, houses which showsimilarities to Creek Vean are the Jaffe house and Murray Mews which were also designed by Team4, these buildings are orientated to make the most of their views and have large slanting glass walls,similar to the glass walk way and large glass walls in Creek Vean. The Willis Faber ; Dumas Headquarters in Ipswich was built from 1971-1975 as aworkplace for around 1300 employees.Foster has mostly designed buildings for the workplaceand is very good at designing space for employees to enjoy their surroundings. The three storey  building is surrounded by a glass facade, similar to that in some of his later buildings such as HearstTower in New York City, the Swiss Re Headquarters in London, the HSBC UK Headquarters inLondon and City Hall in London. The facade also has a curved appearance, with no hard edges or  corners, similar to the Swiss Re and City Hall buildings, the American Air Museum and the newWillis Headquarters in London.Inside the Willis Faber and Dumas Headquarters escalators lead upthrough the central atrium, in Foster's Hongkong and Shanghai bank he uses a similar approach buton a larger scale with a ten storey at rium and the escalators leading up to the main banking hall. The  Ipswich building established a couple of themes that Foster returned to in project after project: howthe building meets the ground in an accommodating way; how light, views, and the interior  environment can be adjusted and modified; and how to introduce green space into an urbanenvironment such as an office building. ArchitectureWeek Creek Vean House is positioned overlooking the Fal estuary in Cornwall on a steepriverbank. The house is made up of two separate blocks at different angles to each other linkedtogether by a long glass-roofed corridor which was used as a gallery. One of the blocks is one storeyhigh and contains the bedrooms and studio and the other block is two storeys high and contains theliving room and dining room, the ground floor ooms are cut back into the hillside and the onestorey block's roof is covered in vegetation, this gives the impression the house is carved into thelandscape. All the mai n rooms have large sliding doors off the main corridor and are angled so thatthey have the best views possible out over the estuary, this results in the rooms being fan shapedwith very angular corners. The house is constructed of exposed concrete blocks and reinforcedconcrete slabs, the floors are slate. Outside the building, winding steps lead down the slope fromthe access road above the house.They step down through the building over the corridor that linksthe two blocks (the corridor has a solid roof at this point), emphasising the split in the two parts of  the building and continue down through the garden to a boat house on the shore below. The Willis Faber ; Dumas Headquarters is situated in Ipswich. unlike many office buildingsit is only three storeys high and is spread out to fit in with the shape of the surrounding streets, withthe curved glass facade showing reflections of the surrounding buildings. On entering the buildingthere is a central atrium with escalators leading right up to the rooftop restaurant.Overlooking theatrium are the different storeys with open plan office space, the layout of the office space and factthat it is so open plan gives the workplace a very communal feel. †¦ orientation is direct:you alwaysknow where you are, one can move freely, the sun penetrates everywhere and there are only a fewvisual barriers. – Norman Foster. The building was also built with a rooftop garden and aswimming pool for the employees to use in their lunch breaks but the swimming pool has since  been covered with a glass floor.Around the time Creek Vean was built (1964) James Sterling had just built the Leicester  University engineering building (1963). There are similarities between their work, both use a lot of  History and Theory of Architecture glass and non standard geometry for walls however where Foster's house tries to blend in with thesurrounding area the University building is very bold and brutal. Another house built around thesame period is Hanselmann House in Indiana, 1967 by Michael Graves. This house is verymodernist with lots of open spaces and like Creek Vean it uses steps as a link to the house.VannaVenturi House was built between 1962-1964 by Robert Venturi. Unlike Creek Vean which blends inwith its environment Venturi's house really tries to make a statement. Around the time the Willis Faber and Dumas Headquarters was built (1971-1975),The Creek Vean House shows similarities to Frank Lloyd Wright's building's, particularlyFallingwater built from 1935-1937. Wright designed the house around the surroundings, similar toFoster and so it appears that the house is almost growing out of the rock beneath it. In both housessteps are used as a passageway from the house down to the water. History and Theory of Architecture

The Tempest - Facts, Themes, and Analysis

Juvenile Delinquency And Juvenile Criminal Justice System

Introduction: Juvenile delinquency is an ever growing issue in the United States, according to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, â€Å"In 2012, there were 3,941 arrests for every 100,000 youths ages 10 through 17 in the United States† (OJJDP, 2014). The way juveniles are treated in the criminal justice system is very different than the way adults are. In 1899, in Cook County, Illinois, the first juvenile justice system in the country was founded. This established an alternative way of dealing with offenders whom are inherently different, in the way they think and commit crimes, than those of adult age. There are a few distinct differences between the juvenile and adult criminal system, but the biggest difference is the†¦show more content†¦Seated at a desk, with the child at his side, where he can on occasion put his arm around his shoulder and draw the lad to him, the judge, while losing none of his judicial dignity, will gain immensely in the effectivenes s of his work (Mack, 1909). In an attempt to keep juveniles out of prisons and focus on reforming the offender, many different rehabilitation programs became popular. Boot camps are one of the most popular forms of crime prevention and rehabilitation for juvenile delinquency. Many people believe that these boot camps are a beneficial alternative, citing that they effectively reduce costs and recidivism rates. Whether or not these camps are effective is a highly debated issue and has been for several decades. After researching many different boot camps throughout the United States, the statistics are clear, they do not prove to be effective in reducing recidivism rates, helping change the behavior of the offenders, or reducing costs. Nonetheless, these programs enjoy continued popularity both on a government as well as a private level. Overview of Boot Camps: There are two different types of boot camps that aim to help juvenile offenders. One is viewed more punitively and the other is more focused on rehabilitation, though they both aim to reform the individual and help them re-enter society as a fully functioning member. â€Å"Thirty-three states established some sorts of shock incarceration

Essay on Gender Roles - 2001 Words

The term gender roles refers to the set of social and behavioral norms that are considered appropriate for individuals of a certain gender. These roles vary between cultures. Gender roles, unlike gender itself, are socially constructed. They may reflect the natural aspirations of the gender, or they may be manipulated, resulting in the oppression of a gender. Historically, gender roles have not always been consistent with those we have today. Though in many ancient societies men have been dominant to women, there are example where women have been considered equal to men, and where women have been dominant over men. In hunting and gathering societies, such as the ones of early humans, males and females were considered equal. Because of†¦show more content†¦Although, men and women were not fully equal, women still had many more rights in Egypt than in other civilizations. Ancient Sparta, one of the many Greek city-states, was unique in the sense that Spartan women and men shared equal rights and opportunities, where women were considered lesser in other Greek societies. While Sparta might be seen as a male dominant society, due to its war-like, violent nature, women were not considered inferior by the men. At birth, both male and female babies were bathed in wine to test their strength. Those who failed this test were abandoned. Boys were enrolled in military school at the age of seven, and female children were given education at this time. The Spartans were the only Greeks who included the education of women as a state policy. Women did not learn domestic tasks during this education. They were given physical training and taught gymnastics, javelin, foot races and staged battles. While men were away at battle, women were often the ones defending the city from invaders. Spartan women were not required to stay at home all day like other Greek women. 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RegardlessRead More Gender Roles Essay864 Words   |  4 PagesGender Roles The affects of gender roles on people greatly change the way the society runs. According to the Websters dictionary the definition of gender are the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex, and the definition of role is a character assigned or assumed. The key word in this definition is assumed; therefore, whether you are male or female, you know what role you must play in society. Traditional gender roles are beneficial

Threatening Forces Free Essays

Threatening forces are every where we look in life. Almost anything could be considered a threat in today s society. The poem by James Joyce, I hear an Army Charging Upon the Land, contains evidence of a threatening force. We will write a custom essay sample on Threatening Forces or any similar topic only for you Order Now The threatening force in this poem is punk rock kids at a punk rock show. Threatening forces are very apparent in this poem. A prime example of one is when he says Arrogant, in black armor. He is talking about kids in leather jackets. It is there way of proving they are punk and it looks threatening. Seeing people in leather jackets is scary, especially when society has trained us to think that black is a sign of. We have been trained to think that anything that stands out is scary and people in black leather jackets stick out like a sore thumb. Obviously, when James Joyce says in black armor, it is a threatening force of punk rock. Punk rock is a very firm theme of this poem that is supposed to be menacing. This is established when it says, Clanging, Clanging upon the heart as upon an anvil. This is saying how he feels that the chains that the kids wear are frightening. He feels that the sound of their chains dangling together is intimidating. When people who wear chains run the often make a loud noise and if you wear more than one, which most people do, it makes an extremely loud noise which can be demoralizing. Clearly, the sound of the chains clanging together is a threatening sound. The people who listen to punk rock music are a reoccurring theme of peril. The threatening force of punk rock is extravagant when James Joyce says; They come out of the sea and run shouting by the shore. This is talking about them after a concert and how they are rowdy. Them coming out of the sea is when they come out of the mosh pit, out of the sea of people. After this they are often rowdy with the little energy they have left over. They are talking loudly because their hearing was just blasted by the loud music. People who are in a really good mood and acting a bit rowdy are often seemed to be dangerous especially if they are yelling. Evidently, punks after a concert are considered a threatening force to society. The poem, I Hear an Army Charging Upon the Land, is about the threat that punk rock supposedly puts on our society. Society is chained to its belief that anything different is threatening. Even though most of these people are not the least bit scary. It is hard to believe that, when the leaders of society, like the police, are always blaming the problem of on these types of people. Is punk rock really a threatening force in society or just a way that we have been brain washed to fear change and difference? How to cite Threatening Forces, Essay examples

Family and Birling Essay Example For Students

Family and Birling Essay In this essay I will try to decide whether Arthur Birling is a person we should admire. To do this I need to study different points of his character and support these points with extracts from the playscipt. I will view both his admirable qualities and the sides of his character that I dont admire. I will consider the reasons behind his character and sum these up in my conclusion. On page 11 we learn that Birling has a very high standing in Brumley. He was an alderman for several years and was Lord Mayor for a time too. It is not surprising that Birling is in line for a knighthood. These achievements are not to be sneezed, at they are very admirable in my opinion. However, I dont like the way Birling attempts to abuse his influence and friendship with those in power. There is evidence of this on page 16 in the playscript, Birling hints at the inspector that if he causes him or his family any bother then the inspector might get into trouble with his chief because Birling is associated with him. This could be evidence that Birling has cheated his way to the top because if he doesnt hesitate at attempting to threaten an officer of the law he would have no trouble attempting to corrupt others, for example his rivals. This factor of Birlings personality I dont find admirable, one should not abuse power like this, however it is ironic that by the end of the play Birlings association with the high and mighty is not enough and Birling has to offer the inspector money as a bribe. Birling appears to be well educated particularly near the start of the play when he is lecturing Gerald and Eric. He has many fair opinions on life and although inaccurate, his predictions are well founded. We can assume that Birlings knowledge is what got him to where he is in life at the moment, as a successful business man and a pillar of the community. There is evidence that he had worked his way to the top on page 10 when he says A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own. If my assumption is correct then I find this aspect of Birlings life very admirable, it shows that he is a very hard-working man. However, in the script there are some instances where he has contradicted himself and his inaccurate predictions might be a sign that he is not as intelligent as he would like people to think. For example, when Birling says a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own. He then contradicts this after the inspector has left on page 64 by telling Eric off for standing as if youd nothing to do with the rest of us. Overall though I think that he is well educated and I also admire the way that Birling tries to pass on his knowledge to Gerald and Eric by lecturing them. It is good to share what you have learned. Birling has risen one daughter called Sheila and one younger son called Eric and he is married to Sybil. He treats Sybil with a lot of respect but then Sybil comes from a high class family and Birling has a weakness in this area but I shall discuss this later. Birlings treatment of his children is the opposite. He disregards their comments and opinions on several occasions throughout the play and is constantly talking down to them. This kind of treatment might be acceptable if his children were young but his children are in their twenties, theyre young adults! We have to consider that the social belief at the time was slanted towards the belief that young adults were still children and therefore inferior but this still does not excuse Birling.