Stereotypes are in us — although they can be hurtful, they sometimes help to simplify the world, organize it and divide it according to clear criteria. One of the most vivid examples is the division into gender and everything that is associated with it. Culturally, we have become accustomed to what is “masculine” and what is “feminine”, often approaching these distinctions thoughtlessly, automatically, and even categorically. However, in the face of cultural and cultural changes, we have begun to notice that this binary order can be problematic and does not quite make sense. Today, we are increasingly seeing women in male-dominated occupations and men working in professions traditionally considered feminized.
Division of occupational categories by gender
What are the characteristics of “male” and “female” professions? Since we have already made this division, it is worth looking at the characteristics attributed to both groups. “Male” professions are usually better paid, performed in better conditions and perceived as more prestigious. On the other hand, “female” professions are characterized by lower wages, poorer working conditions and less social recognition. We also attribute to them characteristics identified with gender and competencies recognized as innate or acquired in the process of socialization.
In both cases, we often generalize, arguing that for some jobs you have to be more “masculine” and for others more “feminine”. Sometimes this has a biological basis (e.g. physical force), but in the age of dynamic technological development, these differences are blurred, because regardless of gender, we are increasingly assisted by mechanical solutions. Although there are differences in physical stamina and predisposition, numerous exceptions show that women are on par with men in tasks considered “masculine” and men excel in “feminine” fields.
“Feminine” is usually considered to be that which is related to emotions and sensitivity, which is reflected in reality - the so-called caring professions are most often performed by women. In contrast, “masculine” qualities refer to physical strength, rational thinking and logical action, which is associated with professions such as pilot or driver.
Sociology of work in terms of gender
Those who decide to pursue a career in an “uncomfortable” occupational group remain in the minority, often feeling that they do not meet social expectations. The themes of work and gender have been studied for years by sociologist Dr. Olga Czeranowska, who touched on them both in her study “Professional gender minorities. Analysis of the situation of women in masculinized professions and men in feminized professions” published in Qualitative Sociology Review, as well as in the SWPS University podcast “Male and female professions and professional success”.
Dr. Czeranowska draws attention to several key aspects related to the division of labor in terms of gender: the coefficient of occupational activity (GUS data on a macro scale), gender pay gap (salary differences), different work-life balance (work-life balance) and vertical and horizontal segregation. Segregation vertical refers to a situation in which women only advance to a certain level, which prevents them from occupying the highest positions, usually reserved for men - this phenomenon is called glass ceiling. Segregation horizontal refers to the division of professions into “male” and “female”, which is associated with gender and occupational stereotypes. Dr. Czeranowska emphasizes that although feminization and masculinization of professions are statistical facts, our ideas about occupational groups play an equally important role. An example is an exercise in which students were supposed to draw a professional group of hairdressers and firefighters - the predominance of women in the first and men in the second was obvious, which shows the power of stereotypes.
Perspectives; masculine, feminine.
From the Z studyavod gender minorities. Analysis of the situation of women in masculinized professions and men in feminized professions (2024) found that men were more likely than women to feel unique and stand out in the workplace, which they attributed to their physical appearance. They also noted that their position brings benefits, such as better treatment by colleagues or easier establishment of professional relationships. At the same time, there were no clear examples of the “glass escalator”, that is, the accelerated path of advancement of men in feminized work environments. Noteworthy is the phenomenon of the feeling of being the so-called “raisin” in the group, which more often defines men against the background of the female group. People in the study also felt that by being a “raisin” they were spared some of the less pleasant aspects of their work. In the case of women in IT, these were, for example, conflict situations (especially in the case of negatively minded clients). In turn, one of the kindergarten teachers said that he was encouraged to ask the cleaning lady for help if he had any problems in the “hygienic and orderly” elements of caring for the children.
The problem of assigned tasks
Professional minorities, in addition to social roles, often carry out tasks related to gender stereotypes. A man working as a teacher can perform roles related to teaching specific skills (and not, for example, developing empathy - which is associated with a slightly different, more complex learning system), he is also more likely to deal with older children and teach subjects of a measurable nature. In the study, men in these positions pointed out how their presence in schools or other educational institutions defies aggressive traditional parenting models based on more aggressive and violent attitudes.
Interviews with women working in IT industries indicated a focus on social and communication skills; women working in this field were often given tasks related to customer contact and less often focused on the technical aspects of the work. A new trend is the feminization of testing positions, which provide an entry path into the industry for people without technical education. Women in the study did not attribute gender-related elements to their work, unlike men who emphasized, for example, the role of a male role model. Instead, they focused on professional identity and did not address physical differences.
Report Women in men's competitions
In 2019, a study was conducted by the DeLab UW research center for Women Entrepreneurial Networks on a sample of 1000 Poles, which aimed to show whether occupational stereotypes are still strongly maintained in society and whether they are reflected in the labor market.
A brief overview of part of the results of the study allows you to understand what we face on a daily basis when choosing a professional career path.
Professions such as:
- Technical and new technology-related professions and driver (66%),
- roboticist (65%),
- programmer (59%).
Female professions are associated with interpersonal relationships, for example:
- interior designer(53%),
- pharmacist (52%).
Traditional divisions were especially often maintained by the youngest respondents (up to 29 years), considering managerial positions, except for exceptions (HR director — 22%), to be the domain of men. Although cultural changes are progressing, the “male world” of the profession remains clearly delineated, while the boundaries of the “female” are less clear.
The report underlines the need to further break down these stereotypes that still shape the young generation's perceptions of the roles of women and men at work.
summary
Occupational stereotypes continue to strongly shape the division of the labour market, attributing gender characteristics to occupations, leading to inequalities in wages, working conditions and prestige, particularly in the technical and care sectors. People working in “unequal” occupational groups often feel special and face social pressure, although more and more women choose to work in masculinized industries and men find themselves in feminized professions such as education or care. Despite the gradual blurring of traditional divides by cultural and technological change, research indicates that the younger generation continues to perpetuate stereotypes, which shows how important it is to continue to break down gender biases in the labor market.
Sources
- https://czasopisma.uni.lodz.pl/socjak/issue/view/1879/881
- https://web.swps.pl/strefa-zarzadzania/artykuly/25248-zawody-meskie-i-kobiece-a-sukces-zawodowy-podcast
- https://kadry.infor.pl/wiadomosci/6703598,zawody-meskie-i-kobiece-jak-kobiety-i-mezczyzni-odnajduja-sie-w-niety.html
- https://siecprzedsiebiorczychkobiet.pl/kobiety-w-meskich-zawodach-raport/
- https://www.delab.uw.edu.pl/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kobiety-w-meskich-zawodach_raport-1.pdf
