Final answer:
The 'ideal worker' ideology can lead to the exclusion of women with disabilities from meaningful employment, exacerbating issues of disempowerment and economic dependence. It also hampers economic growth by limiting the contributions that these women could make to fields such as science and technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ideology of the "ideal worker", which often emphasizes an able-bodied, fully committed employee without external responsibilities, can present significant challenges among women with disabilities.
This archetype has deep roots in societal expectations around labor and heavily influences businesses and workplace cultures, potentially leading to unhealthy lifestyles, exclusion from certain labor market opportunities, and reinforces a gendered division of labor.
Women with disabilities might struggle to find employment that accommodates their needs, especially in industries that value physical labor or long hours, such as mining, factory work, or technology fields that have traditionally excluded women and minorities.
Friedrich Engels's exploration of gender roles in the household highlights that women's dependence on wages either from industrial jobs or from their spouses can lead to an imbalanced power dynamic akin to the owner-worker relationship.
Disability can exacerbate this issue, as it further limits women's employment opportunities and widens the gap in economic and social empowerment. Moreover, the societal view that women should be caregivers can have the effect of further disempowering them, especially when coupled with the hardships of living with a disability.
Mobilizing against these entrenched societal norms has been a historical struggle, with women challenging the perception that labor outside the home is unnatural and advocating for their rights in the workforce.
Importantly, excluding women with disabilities from equitable participation in the labor market not only affects individual lives but can be detrimental to economic growth as a whole. The ability for all members of society, including women living with disabilities, to contribute to their fullest potential is crucial not just for personal empowerment but also for the advancement of fields like science and technology, which can greatly benefit the economy.