glass ceiling

[keannu]

https://www.idiomsandslang.com/the-glass-ceiling/

Based on my work record, I should be a vice president by now. But the glass ceiling is difficult to break.

Is "glass ceiling" used only for women or for other types of groups as well?

[Tdol]

It can be used for minorities too.

[Tarheel]

Keannu is not a member of a minority group in Korea. Keannu, are you just asking about the phrase?

[emsr2d2]

Keannu is not a member of a minority group in Korea.

You don't know that. Keannu could be disabled, gay/transgender, of a minority religion or any other potential minority group.

[keannu]

Keannu is not a member of a minority group in Korea. Keannu, are you just asking about the phrase?

I'm sorry I should have added the source link in the first place, it's now added.
Don't get me wrong, I'm an ordinary person and the family leader of an ordinary family. Not disabled and totally straight.

[jutfrank]

Of the hundreds of times I've ever encountered the word glass ceiling, I think it has always been used to talk about limitations for women. Certainly so when preceded by the, which testifies to the idea of one specific glass ceiling, i.e. for women.

I'm not saying it cannot be used for other groups too, though.

[Tarheel]

Keannu, I would not say you are an ordinary person. You have traveled to several countries. And you have your own drum set.

[probus]

The factors that lead to corporate advancement (or not) can be extremely subtle and therefore quite invisible. Sometimes it is a matter simply of who you know, and even who your parents know or knew. That explains in part why people do things like joining expensive clubs, and perhaps why some people are considered "unclubbable".

[probus]

Of the hundreds of times I've ever encountered the word glass ceiling, I think it has always been used to talk about limitations for women. Certainly so when preceded by the, which testifies to the idea of one specific glass ceiling, i.e. for women.

I'm not saying it cannot be used for other groups too, though.

I'm with jutfrank on this point.

The original use of the phrase was in respect to women. My sister, an early and staunch feminist, managed to break through the glass ceiling and become editor-in-chief of a major newspaper. I think she would strongly prefer that glass ceiling be used only about women.

[Skrej]

I'll third this notion. While I agree I guess there's no reason it couldn't be used to refer to minorities, I think it's used exclusively to refer to women.