by Shirley Chisolm
Mr. Speaker, when a young woman graduates from college and starts looking for a job, she is likely to have a frustrating and even demeaning experience ahead of her. If she walks into an office for an interview, the first question she will be asked is, “Do you type?”
There is a calculated system of prejudice that lies unspoken behind that question. Why is it acceptable for women to be secretaries, librarians, and teachers, but totally unacceptable for them to be managers, administrators, doctors, lawyers, and Members of Congress.
The unspoken assumption is that women are different. They do not have executive ability orderly minds, stability, leadership skills, and they are too emotional.
Equal Rights for Women, Shirley Chisholm, May 21, 1969
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
What main claim is the author expressing in this excerpt?
(1 point)
Responses
that society is prejudiced mostly against young women
that society is prejudiced mostly against young women
that certain jobs require a more sophisticated skill set than others
that certain jobs require a more sophisticated skill set than others
that women should have better opportunities because they are different from men
that women should have better opportunities because they are different from men
that women are not permitted to hold certain jobs in society
that women are not permitted to hold certain jobs in society
Skip to navigation
1 answer
The main claim the author is expressing in this excerpt is:
that women are not permitted to hold certain jobs in society.
This reflects the author's critique of the societal prejudices that limit women's opportunities in the workforce based on outdated assumptions about their abilities.
