grammar question: usage of the expression "level playing-field"?

Question

Hello,
Am I using the expression "level playing-field" correctly in the following sentnences and are they gramatically correct?
1. Women don't have a level playing-field in China.
2. There isn't a level playing-field for women in China.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question.

Answer 1

I would not say women don't have 'equal opportunities' in China. It's a dated phrase and I'll bet that they do - in theory.



I think the sentence would be much stronger if you used specifics. For example: "Women in China find it difficult to achieve the same pay and conditions as men".

Answer 2

The sentence jars a bit because the playing field analogy always applies to both sides, so in this case, to both men and women in China. This then explains the unfair advantage one side has over the other.



I'd go for a hybrid of "women are often disadvantaged in China because the playing field isn't level. Their educational opportunities are limited etc."

Answer 3

Neither, because level playing-field is management-speak slang for all conditions being equal. In this context it would much clearer to say something like "women do not enjoy equality of opportunity in China".

Answer 4

I'd say it misses, but not by much. "Have" is too vague. Women don't find one, maybe. And if you are writing for Americans, it's "playing field" (no hyphen).

Answer 5

They are both fine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Level_playing_field

I do like the other fellows suggestion of using equal opportunity.