Barreto, M., Ryan, M. K., & Schmitt, M. T. (2009). Introduction: Is the glass ceiling still relevant in the 21st century? In M. Barreto, M. K. Ryan, & M. T. Schmitt (Eds.), Psychology of women book series. The glass ceiling in the 21st century: Understanding barriers to gender equality (pp. 3-18). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/11863-001
Despite continued political lobbying, legislative reform, and the almost 50 years that have passed since the second wave of the feminist social and political movement, the extent of women's advancement is unclear. As many of the chapters in this volume attest, the current statistics may be interpreted as showing great gains or a frustrating status quo. These raw statistics can give some indication of change over time, and they certainly make dramatic headlines, but their message is mixed and their interpretability is contestable. The purpose of this volume is to go beyond social commentary, anecdotal evidence, and raw statistics. We have gathered a group of experts on gender discrimination to set the record straight and provide scientific insight into the real situation of women in organizations. We move beyond the numbers and provide an in-depth examination of the experiences of women in the workplace. The fundamental question that this volume asks is "Is the glass ceiling still relevant in the 21st century?" By providing an answer to this question, this volume targets all who are interested in understanding the barriers women face in today's organizations. This volume should thus be of interest to academics working in social psychology, women's studies, or organizational psychology, but it should also be of use to practitioners whose practice is grounded in a deep understanding of how organizations function, as well as of what motivates individuals to function at their best in organizational contexts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)