Final answer:
The word "unthinkable" reflected a societal belief that women's roles were confined to domestic duties, viewing their presence in the workforce as temporary or unnatural. This led to systemic practices of wage inequality, limited career prospects, and enforced terminations based on life events, particularly affecting immigrant and minority women.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "unthinkable" as it relates to the attitude toward women in the workplace during past eras, primarily in the mid-20th century, implies that the notion of women working alongside men was beyond consideration and often rejected by societal norms. Attitudinally, it conveyed a widespread belief that women's roles were restricted to the home, and their inclusion in the workforce was only a temporary concession during times of financial hardship or war. Despite this, many women defied these stereotypes and sought to normalize female employment, advocating for job rights and protections against employment discrimination.
In fact, the phrase 'It's unthinkable that a woman should work here' was not an uncommon sentiment. This belief system was so ingrained that many women themselves internalized the idea, accepting unfair practices such as decreased wages, limited job opportunities, and involuntary terminations due to life events like marriage or pregnancy. This practice of pushing women out of the workforce reinforced the notion that women's work was transient and less valuable than men's.
Moreover, this environment of gendered job roles and wage inequality was particularly harsh for immigrant and minority women, who often faced physical dangers. Overall, the phrasing of the term "unthinkable" mirrors the gender biases and discriminatory workplace practices women experienced, signifying a severe restriction on their economic independence and professional growth.