I remember a situation, I think it was at the Gould battery company here in the US, and women were barred from working around the lead that goes into the batteries, because the company said lead posed a hazard to pregnant and lactating women, and since the company had no way to determine who was pregnant or nursing, women could not have those certain jobs.
The women countered that they were denied equal opportunity, and that the jobs in lead paid more than the jobs women were relegated to, so therefore it was a clear case of sexual discrimination.
I can see justification for both sides in the argument.
I don't know how the situation was ever resolved.
I think it is sad that people want to view, for whatever reason, men and women as "equal", when it is clearly a case, not of "inequality", but of "different" -- it's apples and oranges, each is special and valuable in their own way, but I DO think consideration and allowances should be made for mothers, and with a diligent awareness that there are those who would exploit, for selfish gain, such considerations.
Leonard
