Plato once said “If women are expected to do the same work as men, we must teach them the same things” (Ferrari & Griffth, 2000). However, in today's world women are more educated than men, more risk-takers and more adaptable to our modern socioeconomic trends. Yet women in the workforce still face daily challenges in gaining acceptance. In this essay we will explore gender in the workforce, the changing nature of that workforce, gender inequalities, and the steps taken to redress and shape a new work environment. We will see that more often women are faced with the choice of maternal instinct over career options. We will also see that when faced with this choice and career path, women will face obstacles including prejudices and traditional roles. Increasingly, workplaces appear to be those where organizations have only a small core of permanent full-time employees, where most skills are hired on a contract basis, working from home or hired for specific projects (Cartwright & Cooper , 1997). Past work trends show us that women are more experienced in disjointed career models, entering and exiting the job market, with a variation of part-time and contract work. In the past these working models were considered non-challenging or second class, however, now women are being preferred for their compliance in the ever-changing work environment. Lifelong employment is no longer a realistic goal for many, traditionally desired by men as they stereotypically hope to provide for their family. Today's home environment focuses more on what is best for the family overall rather than the traditional view of a breadwinner. Men and women collectively take responsibility for care... at the center of the card... they are men; the female unemployment rate is 8.6%, compared to 11.2% for men. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that women make up more than two-thirds of employees in ten of the 15 job categories likely to grow fastest in the coming years (The Economist, 2012). Overall, women have an important role to play in the future workplace. Changing family roles means family responsibilities are shared more equally, allowing for a level playing field. This more evenly distributed workforce will allow men and women to bring out their different skills. This new perception of the dual role of work and family can only mean a better life experience for everyone. Women entrepreneurs are emerging offering more opportunities for women to break the mold of male-dominated management positions by allowing women to choose their level of participation in the workplace.