What is the term for the invisible barrier that prevents women from attaining higher-level jobs?

The term that describes the invisible barrier preventing women from reaching higher-level positions in the workforce is the glass ceiling. This concept highlights the systemic barriers that limit women's advancement, despite their qualifications and abilities.

The glass ceiling illustrates the challenges faced in many professions where, although women may have the skills and education required, they still encounter hurdles that keep them from being promoted to top-tier leadership roles. This phenomenon can be attributed to various factors, including gender bias, stereotypes about women's capabilities, and organizational cultures that may favor male leadership styles.

In contrast to other terms such as the glass escalator, which refers to the advantage men may have in traditionally female-dominated professions, the glass ceiling specifically points to the limitations women face in climbing the career ladder within mixed-gender or male-dominated fields. Concepts like functionalism and feminism pertain to broader theories and movements in sociology but do not specifically identify the barriers women face in professional advancement.