In essence, Gordon argues that structural factors inherent to career and technical education programs have prevented women from achieving economic equality when compared to their male counterparts. As evidence, Gordon argues that women of the nineteenth century were denied access to endeavors that were seen as traditionally male. Rather, women were provided instruction that focused heavily on domestic or “ornamental” instruction. Beyond the differences in training, women also faced barriers to equal pay that have been supported by both the United States government and private industry. For example, Gordon cites the disparity in pay among government clerks during the Civil War. From his text, he points out that female clerks were paid less
