The Decline Of Gendered Jobs And Its General Impact

The Decline Of Gendered Jobs only started getting on the rise when people took notice of the term “Gendered work” or “Gendered jobs”.

As we grow as a society, we keep looking for ways to evolve and exist better, the ideas that some people may have for this to happen can bring forth mixed reactions but the intention to better remain.

What does the term “Gendered Job” mean?

“Gendered jobs” means that “work” is defined in a way that reflects the relational patterns (including those characterized by strengths and weaknesses) that exist between men and women (and between groups). It also means women and men who are differentiated by class, race, nationality, age, sexual orientation, etc. are categorized into “masculinity” and “femininity” in a particular socio-economic context at a particular time. 

Although the term “gender work” is relatively new, the subject is not. As Benoit (2000) points out, the division of labour between women and men has been documented in historical studies of pre-capitalist societies, to name just one important example. However, since the 1970s, a resurgence of interest in feminism and the rise of women’s studies have led to a more systematic treatment of the relationship between gender and work. 

Is the credibility of a job based on gender? If so, why?

It’s no casual observation that women are often not taken seriously in the workplace. To be sure this is not just casual conversation,

Scientific studies have been carried out and it has been revealed this trend is indeed a fact.

A 2017 study published in the American Sociological Review found that jobs considered “men’s jobs” were perceived as more trustworthy than “women’s jobs.” The authors reached this conclusion by studying corporate credit managers, a relatively gender-neutral occupation in Central American banks.

Research shows that borrowers are more likely to make payments when partnered with male loan managers, while clients who are partnered with female managers are more likely to default on payments.

Even when employees who first partnered with a female manager during the study switched to another manager, the non-compliance rate remained the same regardless of the gender of the second manager. Apparently, knowing a person by their occupation was enough to assign him a gender, and if that gender was female, the occupation was not taken too seriously. 

There is no need to explain why this is harmful to women, but it discourages men from crossing gender lines.

“Both have made progress over the last few decades, but women in male-dominated industries may have made greater progress than men in female-dominated industries,” Smith said. Men’s jobs are traditionally more respected, with higher wages and more benefits. On the other hand, men are stigmatized in female-dominated jobs with no financial incentives.

How does it work?

There are two ways to solve this gender problem in the workplace.

One is to stop viewing female-dominated professions as unreliable. Another is to eliminate arbitrary gender designations. Fortunately, progress is being made on the latter.

In a 2017 study, the recruitment agency CareerBuilder tracked the percentage of new gender-specific jobs filled by members of the opposite sex. The results were encouraging, as many areas dominated by men and women were more balanced.

“Women and men are bypassing stereotypes and moving into roles historically occupied by the opposite sex,” said Rosemary Hafner, CareerBuilder’s chief human resources officer at the time of the study, in a statement. . Studies show that between 2009 and 2017, women held nearly a quarter of the typically male-dominated jobs, including CEOs, lawyers, surgeons, web developers, chemists, and producers. rice field. A total of 23% of all jobs traditionally done by men were done by workers.

In 2021, Catalyst released research showing similar trends. The study details the share of women in the workforce in specific sectors. The researchers found that between 2016 and 2018, the number of women employed in an industry where there is two-thirds male increased by five percent.

Here is a list of male-dominated industries and occupations that women are beginning to find their way into.

1. Animation specialist

Percentage of women hired in 2019: 52.2 percent

Average salary: $43,900 per year

2. Web designer

Percentage of women hired in 2019: 53.4 percent

Average salary: $52,000 per year

3. UX designer

Percentage of women hired in 2019: 53.6 percent

Average salary: $80,000 per year

4. Public Policy Specialist

Percentage of women hired in 2019: 54.0 percent

Average salary: $57,800 per year

5. Dental Technician

Percentage of women hired in 2019: 54.1 percent

Average salary: $22 per hour

6. Medical officer

Percentage of women hired in 2019: 54.7 percent

Average salary: $105,000 per year

7. Graphic production manager

Percentage of women hired in 2019: 54.9 percent  

Average salary: $62,400 per year

To be factual, these are good statistics for these industries and for women. However, these numbers represent the percentage of women hired, not the percentage of women that exist in the industry. This is because them being in male-dominated industries or occupations. 

Why are male-dominated industries exactly what they are?

Simple, Male-dominated industries and occupations tend to reinforce harmful stereotypes that create a hostile environment that makes it even more difficult for women to flourish.

In the United States in 2020, only 6.5% of women worked full-time in male-dominated jobs.

Some of the female employment growth is driven by employment in male-dominated sectors.

Between 2016 and 2018, female employment in the industry increased by 5.0%, or two-thirds that of men.

In Australia, women’s employment in civil engineering and software programming has increased steadily over the past decade, outstripping men’s employment.

But challenges remain…

Women working in male-dominated industries face a range of challenges, including:

Society’s Expectations and Beliefs for Women’s Leadership Skills of Clichés like “caring mother” and “office housekeeper” are everywhere.

higher levels of stress and anxiety than women working in other fields. Lack of mentoring and career development opportunities for sexual harassment.

Unfortunately, reports of sexual harassment are more common in male-dominated industries. In a 2017 survey, 28% of women working in male-dominated industries said they had personally experienced sexual harassment, compared to 20% in female-dominated industries.

This increase in harassment has been a problem even before women entered the labour market. A study found that a woman studying at a male-dominated college faced more harassment than a woman who graduated from a gender-equal major (60% of her single-gender peers).

With these impacts, it’s no surprise why the percentage of women in these industries or occupations remains lower than their male counterparts at work. 

The general outlook of Men in female-dominated occupations and industries 

From finance to IT, most industries are male-dominated, and women working in these industries are often made to feel like they don’t belong. Sexism and prejudice against male workers are widespread against women.

However, it makes us wonder, what men go through in female-dominated industries. 

Compared with the increasing participation of women in male-dominated jobs, the presence of men in female-dominated occupations remains low. Statistically, even when these men move to female-dominated industries, a good number of them move back to their male-dominated jobs. Yet some people, do not believe that they are gendered jobs.

Based on this research by Christine Williams, taking jobs dominated by women, such as stepping on “glass escalators,” may have future benefits. First, these men easily fast-track to managerial positions. Second, the high-heeled rate of men working in female-dominated industries offers the chance to fill the gender pay gap. 

The Double-Edged Sword of Gendered Jobs: Advantages for Men in Female-Dominated Industries

However, this is also a double-edged sword, as the first benefit has been proven to mean the few men who are in the industry are given a better chance to advance than the women, and the chance to kill the gender pay gap only happens for the men in these female-dominated positions. Experts have said, it is evidence that gendered jobs only exist, as a way to deter women from working any job considered as “serious”

So invariably, the men in the fashion industry, makeup industry, clerical posts, and so on, have the chance to enjoy the benefits of the female-dominated industry, and the women just don’t seem to fully experience that. 

In a general survey, men in female-dominated industries have spoken about their experiences in the industry and the conclusion of the survey let us understand. Although men are grateful for the generally upbeat and more positive attitude of having them in their organizations. They feel they are easily given the “male-assigned job.” Jobs like lifting things around and being expected to stay in longer. Some also expressed their dislike of being objectified and a good number said they enjoyed the attention and mostly used it to their advantage. Ironic isn’t it?

Writing a new future

Despite what may seem like a lot of negative impacts on the Decline Of Gendered Jobs. Society keeps looking for ways to work through it, and we can. By educating ourselves and bringing consequences for those who choose to sabotage the change. 

The truth is we are still a long way from having more gender-balanced jobs with equal rights and opportunities. However, that should not deter anyone from following their dreams. Keep going, the world will adjust. 

Do you think gendered jobs are soon to be a thing of the past? Let us know

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