Final answer:
The 'sticky floor' refers to the phenomenon where individuals, often women, are trapped in low-level, low-wage jobs with limited upward mobility, which is a consequence of systemic gender stratification patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term “sticky floor” is defined as a situation where certain individuals are stuck in low-paying, low-mobility jobs at the bottom of the career ladder. This concept is related to gender stratification, suggesting that stable, predictable, and self-perpetuating economic roles are determined by gender and family. For instance, in many cases, children can end up having the same roles or jobs as their parents. The sticky floor concept contributes to and is a part of the broader discussion of wage stickiness, particularly in relation to how it impacts women and contributes to the feminization of poverty.
While the “glass ceiling” represents an invisible barrier at the highest levels that prevent women from rising to executive roles due to discrimination, the sticky floor keeps individuals from even beginning the ascent. It reflects systemic inequalities and social patterns of discrimination, including those regarding child-rearing roles, which can significantly hinder women's career development and economic mobility.