The glass ceiling is glass because it is not seen yet people know it is there. They know it is there because few women are leaders, yet they have the abilities to be the leader. It is not seen because whatever keeps women from being leaders is not spoken words. It is in the mind and perceptions of these who chose leaders. If those who chose leaders would begin picking women, and seeing women as the best choices, the ceiling will be broken. Upwardly mobile is a term for a person (minority or not - I think) who has the ability to move from a poorer position to more wealth, through education and opportunities their parents did not have- and the individual is on their way in that journey towards a higher income bracket. One term about women, one about poor to wealth; they are similar in that way. One about rising in income, the other is about reaching the top of what you gender seems to allow. They are different in that way.

I chose the 'best answer' maybe because of its clear format. I surely did not mean to offend any of the respondents, for all of you contributed a portion of wisdom to make the answer complete. I will always remember all of you, and your insight cannot be enphasized more.

I really love you all. I really thought that those two words are about the same thing, Thank you for showing me. More importantly, I can really feel your sincere and warmth!

Upward mobility and glass ceilings potentially apply to everyone, not just women. For the most part, you will find that American minorities and women encounter it more than anyone else. Reasons for glass ceilings can be legitimate or illegal. The other people only mention women and babies. Other reasons could include: discrimination, racism, favoritism of one employee over another, opinions or beliefs that prevent certain people from moving up. Glass ceilings aren't always invisible, sometimes you know they are there and see it clearly and you see clearly what is on the other side. It just happens that there is no way to break it at the moment. Sometimes, to break it you have to risk your job, which would cause you to lose the mobility that your job gives you. If you win you might move up, if you lose you might spiral downward. So, a person would have to decide if breaking through a glass ceiling is worth the possible lost. In some ways, I suppose you could call a glass ceiling a deterrent to pacify people from speaking out against things that are unfair or questionable.

The reason for the situation is that women have babies and men don't. When a woman has a baby she is entitled and expected to stay with the baby and not work. In the United States an employee can take a leave of absence from work for an entire year and the position is held for the employee. Companies don't want women leaders because they know they will lose the boss and the better she is, the sooner she will start a family and leave. Even if the absence is only temporary a new person must be brought in and trained which can be lengthy and costly.