an article by Sarah Bridges (University of Nottingham, UK) and Samuel Mann (Swansea University, UK; Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods, UK) published in Work, Employment and Society Volume Issue 3 (December 2019)
Abstract
This article uses data from the Labour Force Survey to examine the effect sexual orientation has on wages in Britain. In doing so it provides the first empirical investigation of the effect being in a same-sex legal partnership has on wages.
The results show that gay cohabitees and lesbians face a wage premium compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Decomposition results show that for gay cohabitees this arises due to differences in observable characteristics, while lesbians not only earn significantly more due to differences in their observable characteristics, but they also receive a higher return for these characteristics.
In contrast, although no significant difference in earnings is observed for men in a legal partnership, decomposition results suggest that legally partnered gay males should earn more due to differences in their observable characteristics, while there is also evidence that they face barriers to advancement to senior positions, or a glass ceiling.
Showing posts with label gender. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gender. Show all posts
Tuesday, 17 December 2019
Friday, 15 November 2019
The gendered affordances of Craigslist “new-in-town girls wanted” ads
an article by Becca Schwartz and Gina Neff (Oxford Internet Institute, UK) published in New Media & Society Volume 21 Issue 11-12 (November 2019)
Abstract
Sex-for-rent schemes have emerged on online sites as rental options.
We analyzed 583 advertisements that were posted on Craigslist in London and Los Angeles and interviewed 34 women who were or had been in these arrangements.
This research yielded four key tensions:
Findings attest to the affordances online platforms offer by connecting geographically dispersed parties in a low risk, anonymous forum.
Furthermore, present research joins discourses on the commercialization of intimacy and forms of precarious, gendered labor while asserting Internet features are pivotal in facilitating these arrangements. We propose gendered affordances to conceptualize how individual aspirational labor efforts, combined with platform affordances, commodify intimacy for sale on the moral marketplace.
Full text (PDF 18pp)
Abstract
Sex-for-rent schemes have emerged on online sites as rental options.
We analyzed 583 advertisements that were posted on Craigslist in London and Los Angeles and interviewed 34 women who were or had been in these arrangements.
This research yielded four key tensions:
- navigating innuendo (mis)interpretation versus preserving arranged ambiguity,
- the guise of amateurism and romance versus persistent specificity,
- calculated sacrifice versus narrative of a better life, and
- consent versus consensual non-consent.
Findings attest to the affordances online platforms offer by connecting geographically dispersed parties in a low risk, anonymous forum.
Furthermore, present research joins discourses on the commercialization of intimacy and forms of precarious, gendered labor while asserting Internet features are pivotal in facilitating these arrangements. We propose gendered affordances to conceptualize how individual aspirational labor efforts, combined with platform affordances, commodify intimacy for sale on the moral marketplace.
Full text (PDF 18pp)
Monday, 14 October 2019
An empirical study of purchase behaviour on social platforms
an article by Vladlena Benson and Chris Hand (Kingston Business School, UK) and Jean-Noel Ezingeard (Manchester Metropolitan University, UK) published in Information Technology & People Volume 32 Issue 4 (2019)
Abstract
Purpose
Social media users’ purchasing behaviour is yet to be fully understood by research. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how purchase intention is affected by social media user traits, cognitive factors (such as perceived control and trust) and individual beliefs, such as risk propensity and trustworthiness.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors propose and empirically test a model of purchase intention on social platforms. The study of over 500 active social media users finds the links between risk propensity, trust, technical efficacy and perceived control and explores the moderating effect of age and gender.
Findings
Purchase intention on social platforms is influenced by demographic factors, cognitive factors and beliefs. Both age and gender moderate the effects of beliefs and cognitive factors: age is a determinant of purchase intention for men, while beliefs are significant for younger women and cognitive factors are significant for older women.
Research limitations/implications
This study involved a cross-sectional design via online survey of social networking users. Gender differences in purchase intentions are found which are, in turn, influenced by age. Further empirical testing of social purchase intention could include less experienced users or non-users.
Practical implications
The results of this study provide guidance for SNS providers and technology developers in social networking commerce in terms of the different drivers of purchase intention.
Originality/value
Social media users’ purchasing behaviour is yet to be fully understood. The study shows that purchase intention antecedents vary between genders and age groups of users. The identified connection between users’ perceptions of social networking sites (SNS) usage of personal information and purchase behaviour has an impact on the likelihood of user engagement in social transactions.
Abstract
Purpose
Social media users’ purchasing behaviour is yet to be fully understood by research. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how purchase intention is affected by social media user traits, cognitive factors (such as perceived control and trust) and individual beliefs, such as risk propensity and trustworthiness.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors propose and empirically test a model of purchase intention on social platforms. The study of over 500 active social media users finds the links between risk propensity, trust, technical efficacy and perceived control and explores the moderating effect of age and gender.
Findings
Purchase intention on social platforms is influenced by demographic factors, cognitive factors and beliefs. Both age and gender moderate the effects of beliefs and cognitive factors: age is a determinant of purchase intention for men, while beliefs are significant for younger women and cognitive factors are significant for older women.
Research limitations/implications
This study involved a cross-sectional design via online survey of social networking users. Gender differences in purchase intentions are found which are, in turn, influenced by age. Further empirical testing of social purchase intention could include less experienced users or non-users.
Practical implications
The results of this study provide guidance for SNS providers and technology developers in social networking commerce in terms of the different drivers of purchase intention.
Originality/value
Social media users’ purchasing behaviour is yet to be fully understood. The study shows that purchase intention antecedents vary between genders and age groups of users. The identified connection between users’ perceptions of social networking sites (SNS) usage of personal information and purchase behaviour has an impact on the likelihood of user engagement in social transactions.
Thursday, 10 October 2019
How an online women in technology group provides a locus of opposition
an arrticle by Wendy M. DuBow (University of Colorado, Boulder, USA) and Alexis Kaminsky (Kaminsky Consulting, USA) published in Computers in Human Behavior Volume 98 (September 2019)
Highlights
Abstract
This paper analyzes conversation threads from a closed Facebook group for women in computing.
The dataset contains more than 13,000 posts and spans five years during which time the group greatly expanded in membership. Drawing on research about online forums as well as the research on obstacles and supports for women in computing, the authors use qualitative analysis and take a feminist perspective to show the various ways in which the group provides a locus of oppositional discourse.
This discourse highlights the systemic nature of exclusionary practices in the computing field at the secondary and post-secondary levels, providing a way for group members to see past individual circumstances and, thereby, find ways to oppose the cultures in which they live, study and work.
Understanding how this oppositional discourse serves women, a group sorely underrepresented in the field of computing, can help identify promising levers for making the culture of computing more inclusive.
Highlights
- Qualitative analysis of big data shows how social support functions for marginalized persons in a virtual community.
- An online women in computing group provides belonging and an oppositional discourse to counter sexism and exclusion.
- Conversation analyses show social-emotional and practical support that develops and reinforces a counterpublic.
- The counterpublic allows participants to challenge their exclusion and confirm their “right to be” in computing.
Abstract
This paper analyzes conversation threads from a closed Facebook group for women in computing.
The dataset contains more than 13,000 posts and spans five years during which time the group greatly expanded in membership. Drawing on research about online forums as well as the research on obstacles and supports for women in computing, the authors use qualitative analysis and take a feminist perspective to show the various ways in which the group provides a locus of oppositional discourse.
This discourse highlights the systemic nature of exclusionary practices in the computing field at the secondary and post-secondary levels, providing a way for group members to see past individual circumstances and, thereby, find ways to oppose the cultures in which they live, study and work.
Understanding how this oppositional discourse serves women, a group sorely underrepresented in the field of computing, can help identify promising levers for making the culture of computing more inclusive.
Tuesday, 1 October 2019
Teaching older workers new tricks: workplace practices and gender training differences in nine European countries
an article by Jelle Lössbroek (Utrecht University, The Netherlands) and Jonas Radl (Carlos III University of Madrid, Getafe, Spain; WZB Berlin Social Science Center, Germany) published in Ageing & Society Volume 39 Issue 10 (October 2019)
Abstract
Despite its benefits for prolonging careers, participation in training is far lower among older employees (age 50+) than among younger employees.
This study analyses gender differences in older employees’ training participation.
To investigate the predictors of training intensity, we examine two forms of training: formal educational programmes and on-the-job training. The study draws on a novel data-set, the European Sustainable Workforce Survey, carried out in nine European countries in 2015 and 2016, analysing 2,517 older employees and their managers, spread over 228 organisations.
We concentrate on the interplay between employees’ gender, managers’ gender and managers’ ageism in shaping older employees’ training participation.
Our findings indicate comparable training participation of older men and women in both forms of training, yet older women more often pay for enrolment in educational programmes themselves. Also, predictors of training participation are different. In line with the tenet of ‘gendered ageism’, we find that managerial ageism primarily targets older women, excluding female employees from the training opportunities available to their comparable male colleagues.
Finally, female managers are associated with higher training participation rates for older employees, but only for older men. This result supports ‘queen bee’ arguments and runs counter to ‘homophily’ arguments.
Overall, the study demonstrates that workplace dynamics and managerial decisions contribute to the reproduction of traditional gender divides in the late career.
Full text (PDF 24pp)
Abstract
Despite its benefits for prolonging careers, participation in training is far lower among older employees (age 50+) than among younger employees.
This study analyses gender differences in older employees’ training participation.
To investigate the predictors of training intensity, we examine two forms of training: formal educational programmes and on-the-job training. The study draws on a novel data-set, the European Sustainable Workforce Survey, carried out in nine European countries in 2015 and 2016, analysing 2,517 older employees and their managers, spread over 228 organisations.
We concentrate on the interplay between employees’ gender, managers’ gender and managers’ ageism in shaping older employees’ training participation.
Our findings indicate comparable training participation of older men and women in both forms of training, yet older women more often pay for enrolment in educational programmes themselves. Also, predictors of training participation are different. In line with the tenet of ‘gendered ageism’, we find that managerial ageism primarily targets older women, excluding female employees from the training opportunities available to their comparable male colleagues.
Finally, female managers are associated with higher training participation rates for older employees, but only for older men. This result supports ‘queen bee’ arguments and runs counter to ‘homophily’ arguments.
Overall, the study demonstrates that workplace dynamics and managerial decisions contribute to the reproduction of traditional gender divides in the late career.
Full text (PDF 24pp)
Monday, 9 September 2019
Digital inclusion in later life: cohort changes in internet use over a ten-year period in England
an article by Katey Matthews and James Nazroo (University of Manchester, UK) and Alan Marshall (University of St Andrews, UK) published in Ageing & Society Volume 39 Issue 9 (September 2019)
Abstract
The ability to use the internet frequently is likely to provide a useful means of engaging with society and using services in later life, yet older people are the most likely to suffer digital exclusion, with those of the oldest ages at the greatest risk.
Using six waves (2002–2012) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, we model cohort-specific patterns of frequent internet use for people aged 50 and over. Multi-level growth models are used to observe trajectories of internet use over the ten-year period.
Firstly, analyses are stratified by gender and wealth, and secondly we additionally test for health effects.
The study finds cohort-specific differences in patterns of internet use. Rates of internet use increase faster among younger cohorts yet, despite initially increasing, begin to decline among older cohorts. Poor health is shown to be a key factor in shaping the trajectory of internet use over time. Rates of internet use are consistently lower for women than men and for those in poorer financial circumstances, independently of age cohort.
The findings demonstrate the importance of ensuring older people can remain digitally included throughout later life, including after the onset of poorer health, especially as some of these individuals might benefit the most from some of the services the internet can provide.
Abstract
The ability to use the internet frequently is likely to provide a useful means of engaging with society and using services in later life, yet older people are the most likely to suffer digital exclusion, with those of the oldest ages at the greatest risk.
Using six waves (2002–2012) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, we model cohort-specific patterns of frequent internet use for people aged 50 and over. Multi-level growth models are used to observe trajectories of internet use over the ten-year period.
Firstly, analyses are stratified by gender and wealth, and secondly we additionally test for health effects.
The study finds cohort-specific differences in patterns of internet use. Rates of internet use increase faster among younger cohorts yet, despite initially increasing, begin to decline among older cohorts. Poor health is shown to be a key factor in shaping the trajectory of internet use over time. Rates of internet use are consistently lower for women than men and for those in poorer financial circumstances, independently of age cohort.
The findings demonstrate the importance of ensuring older people can remain digitally included throughout later life, including after the onset of poorer health, especially as some of these individuals might benefit the most from some of the services the internet can provide.
Monday, 19 August 2019
Persistency in the NEET state: a longitudinal analysis
an article by Dalit Contini, Marianna Filandri and Lia Pacelli (University of Torino, Italy) published in Journal of Youth Studies Volume 22 Issue 7 (2019)
Abstract
This article addresses the NEET phenomenon in a longitudinal perspective, by examining the case of Italy, a country experiencing one of the highest and increasing NEET shares in the EU.
We exploit the longitudinal sample of the 2008-2011 EU-SILC data, providing self-declared information on individuals’ educational and occupational status on a monthly basis for 4 years.
Firstly, we propose a classification of individual histories in education, employment and the NEET states. According to our estimates, more than 40% of the Italian young people report being NEET for at least 13 months out of 48, and more than 10% for (almost) the entire period.
Secondly, we examine the composition of the NEET groups and draw a long-term NEET risk profile for individuals from different sociodemographic groups.
Thirdly, we examine the longitudinal histories by distinguishing between unemployment and inactivity spells.
Our findings show that the NEET phenomenon among Italian young adults is largely an issue of unemployment. The only exception is represented by Italian older females with children, the majority of which portrays themselves as inactive. Still, a sizable portion of these women define themselves as being mainly ‘unemployed’ instead of ‘performing domestic tasks’, indicating an unsatisfied wish or need to work.
Abstract
This article addresses the NEET phenomenon in a longitudinal perspective, by examining the case of Italy, a country experiencing one of the highest and increasing NEET shares in the EU.
We exploit the longitudinal sample of the 2008-2011 EU-SILC data, providing self-declared information on individuals’ educational and occupational status on a monthly basis for 4 years.
Firstly, we propose a classification of individual histories in education, employment and the NEET states. According to our estimates, more than 40% of the Italian young people report being NEET for at least 13 months out of 48, and more than 10% for (almost) the entire period.
Secondly, we examine the composition of the NEET groups and draw a long-term NEET risk profile for individuals from different sociodemographic groups.
Thirdly, we examine the longitudinal histories by distinguishing between unemployment and inactivity spells.
Our findings show that the NEET phenomenon among Italian young adults is largely an issue of unemployment. The only exception is represented by Italian older females with children, the majority of which portrays themselves as inactive. Still, a sizable portion of these women define themselves as being mainly ‘unemployed’ instead of ‘performing domestic tasks’, indicating an unsatisfied wish or need to work.
Monday, 12 August 2019
The Penalties For Self-Reporting Sexual Harassment
an article by Chloe Grace Hart (Stanford University, USA) published in Gender & Society Volume 33 Issue 4 (August 2019)
Abstract
Although sexual harassment in the workplace is illegal, it often goes unreported.
This study employs causal evidence to evaluate one deterrent to reporting: bias against women known to be sexual harassment targets.
I theorize about the form this bias takes and test the argument with a national survey experiment run in five waves from October 2017 to February 2018, where participants were asked to propose employment outcomes for an employee with one of four harassment experiences.
Participants were less likely to recommend a woman for promotion if she self-reported sexual harassment relative to otherwise identical women who experienced nonsexual harassment or whose sexual harassment was reported by a coworker. The woman who self-reported sexual harassment experienced normative discrimination: that is, the promotion bias was significantly mediated by perceptions that she was less moral, warm, and socially skilled than the woman whose coworker reported her sexual harassment.
These results indicate that women may hesitate to report sexual harassment because they rightly perceive that doing so could cause them to experience bias. Yet they also suggest that bias can be avoided if a bystander reports the harassment.
Finally, exploratory analyses suggest that in the wake of #MeToo this bias may be fading.
Abstract
Although sexual harassment in the workplace is illegal, it often goes unreported.
This study employs causal evidence to evaluate one deterrent to reporting: bias against women known to be sexual harassment targets.
I theorize about the form this bias takes and test the argument with a national survey experiment run in five waves from October 2017 to February 2018, where participants were asked to propose employment outcomes for an employee with one of four harassment experiences.
Participants were less likely to recommend a woman for promotion if she self-reported sexual harassment relative to otherwise identical women who experienced nonsexual harassment or whose sexual harassment was reported by a coworker. The woman who self-reported sexual harassment experienced normative discrimination: that is, the promotion bias was significantly mediated by perceptions that she was less moral, warm, and socially skilled than the woman whose coworker reported her sexual harassment.
These results indicate that women may hesitate to report sexual harassment because they rightly perceive that doing so could cause them to experience bias. Yet they also suggest that bias can be avoided if a bystander reports the harassment.
Finally, exploratory analyses suggest that in the wake of #MeToo this bias may be fading.
Internalised Ageism and Self-Exclusion: Does Feeling Old and Health Pessimism Make Individuals Want to Retire Early?
an article by Mariska van der Horst (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands) published in Social Inclusion Volume 7 Number 3 (2019)
Abstract
An important current policy goal in many Western countries is for individuals to extend their working lives. Ageism has been identified as a possible threat to achieving this; furthermore, the ways in which ageism may affect this policy goal may have been underestimated.
It has been claimed previously that ageism can be seen as discrimination against one’s future self and that a lifetime of internalising age stereotypes makes older people themselves believe the age stereotypes.
The current article uses the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing to assess the degree to which internalised ageism is related to one’s preferred retirement age.
For internalised ageism, assessments are made about the degree to which individuals consider themselves to be old; they agree that their age prevents them from undertaking activities; they are pessimistic about their own future health and that being old comes with deteriorating health more generally.
Results show that health pessimism especially affects one’s preferred retirement age negatively, even when controlling for current health and other factors, and mainly for middle-educated women. Implications are discussed.
Full text (PDF 17pp) download
Abstract
An important current policy goal in many Western countries is for individuals to extend their working lives. Ageism has been identified as a possible threat to achieving this; furthermore, the ways in which ageism may affect this policy goal may have been underestimated.
It has been claimed previously that ageism can be seen as discrimination against one’s future self and that a lifetime of internalising age stereotypes makes older people themselves believe the age stereotypes.
The current article uses the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing to assess the degree to which internalised ageism is related to one’s preferred retirement age.
For internalised ageism, assessments are made about the degree to which individuals consider themselves to be old; they agree that their age prevents them from undertaking activities; they are pessimistic about their own future health and that being old comes with deteriorating health more generally.
Results show that health pessimism especially affects one’s preferred retirement age negatively, even when controlling for current health and other factors, and mainly for middle-educated women. Implications are discussed.
Full text (PDF 17pp) download
The gender gap in work–life balance satisfaction across occupations
an article by Maryam Dilmaghani and Vurain Tabvuma (Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Canada) published in Gender in Management Volume 34 Issue 5 (2019)
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to compare the gender gaps in work–life balance satisfaction across occupations. Due to data limitations, the studies of work–life balance satisfaction have generally relied on researcher collected data. As a result, large-scale studies encompassing all occupations in the same social and policy context are rare. In several cycles of the Canadian General Social Survey, the respondents are directly asked about their work–life balance (WLB) satisfaction. The present paper takes advantage of this unique opportunity to compare the gender gap in WLB satisfaction across occupations in Canada.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper pools four cross-sectional datasets (N = 37,335). Multivariate regression analysis is used.
Findings
Women in management and education are found to have a lower WLB satisfaction than their male counterparts. Conversely, and rather surprisingly, a WLB satisfaction advantage is found for women in transport over males in this occupation. Further investigation shows that the female WLB advantage in transport is driven by the relatively low WLB satisfaction of males in this occupation, while the opposite is true for education.
Social implications
The findings are discussed in light of the WLB policies and their increasing gender-blindness.
Originality/value
This paper is the first large-scale study which compares the gender gap in WLB satisfaction across occupations, in a given policy context.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to compare the gender gaps in work–life balance satisfaction across occupations. Due to data limitations, the studies of work–life balance satisfaction have generally relied on researcher collected data. As a result, large-scale studies encompassing all occupations in the same social and policy context are rare. In several cycles of the Canadian General Social Survey, the respondents are directly asked about their work–life balance (WLB) satisfaction. The present paper takes advantage of this unique opportunity to compare the gender gap in WLB satisfaction across occupations in Canada.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper pools four cross-sectional datasets (N = 37,335). Multivariate regression analysis is used.
Findings
Women in management and education are found to have a lower WLB satisfaction than their male counterparts. Conversely, and rather surprisingly, a WLB satisfaction advantage is found for women in transport over males in this occupation. Further investigation shows that the female WLB advantage in transport is driven by the relatively low WLB satisfaction of males in this occupation, while the opposite is true for education.
Social implications
The findings are discussed in light of the WLB policies and their increasing gender-blindness.
Originality/value
This paper is the first large-scale study which compares the gender gap in WLB satisfaction across occupations, in a given policy context.
Tuesday, 6 August 2019
Women’s experience of perceived uncertainty: insights from emotional intelligence
an article by Masood Ul Hassan and Arslan Ayub (Department of Commerce, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan) published in Gender in Management Volume 34 Number 5 (July 2019)
Abstract
Purpose
Few organizational change studies identified the aspects of change that are salient to individuals and gender in specific and that influence their work outcomes. This paper aims to assess the potential mediating effect of emotional intelligence and the moderating effect of gender in the relationship of perceived change-related uncertainty and work outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The study analyzes the measurement model and the structural model using SmartPLS (v 3.2.7) on a sample of 413 employees working in the telecom sector collected through a non-experimental face-to-face method.
Findings
The findings support that emotional intelligence mediates the negative relationship between perceived change-related uncertainty and work outcomes. Moreover, emotional intelligence and gender have a significant interaction effect on work outcomes.
Research limitations/implications
The study uses the ability-based model of emotional intelligence to assess its impact on the proposed theoretical framework.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that organizations should hire more females at the workplace as they are less in number although they are more emotionally intelligent. As well as, females should be given equal opportunities to reach the top managerial positions by breaking the glass ceiling.
Originality/value
The study adds insights into existing knowledge; for instance, the study reveals that emotional intelligence competency is a sine qua non to personal control that delivers exceptional results in the context of perceived change-related uncertainty. The study also investigates the interaction effect of gender with emotional intelligence to scaffold the emotional intelligence competency over gender differences.
Abstract
Purpose
Few organizational change studies identified the aspects of change that are salient to individuals and gender in specific and that influence their work outcomes. This paper aims to assess the potential mediating effect of emotional intelligence and the moderating effect of gender in the relationship of perceived change-related uncertainty and work outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The study analyzes the measurement model and the structural model using SmartPLS (v 3.2.7) on a sample of 413 employees working in the telecom sector collected through a non-experimental face-to-face method.
Findings
The findings support that emotional intelligence mediates the negative relationship between perceived change-related uncertainty and work outcomes. Moreover, emotional intelligence and gender have a significant interaction effect on work outcomes.
Research limitations/implications
The study uses the ability-based model of emotional intelligence to assess its impact on the proposed theoretical framework.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that organizations should hire more females at the workplace as they are less in number although they are more emotionally intelligent. As well as, females should be given equal opportunities to reach the top managerial positions by breaking the glass ceiling.
Originality/value
The study adds insights into existing knowledge; for instance, the study reveals that emotional intelligence competency is a sine qua non to personal control that delivers exceptional results in the context of perceived change-related uncertainty. The study also investigates the interaction effect of gender with emotional intelligence to scaffold the emotional intelligence competency over gender differences.
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
We are strong and we are resilient: Career experiences of women engineers
an article by Shaista E. Khilji and Kelly Harper Pumroy (The George Washington University, USA) published in Gender, Work & Organization Volume 6 Issue 7 (July 2019)
Abstract
With the purpose of breaking down socially derived, implicit assumptions regarding women and highlighting their resilience and strength within organizations, this study focused upon career experiences of women engineers.
Findings indicated women constantly navigated gendered social and organizational norms to develop their careers. We found them to employ three distinct coping strategies, conforming to play by the rules, negotiating to play around the rules and defying to establish own rules. The ways in which participants arrived at and enacted on these coping strategies is illustrative of their strength, forethought and self‐directedness. All participants demonstrated high self‐concept and the ability to learn and adapt.
The study allowed us to acknowledge prevalence of gendered norms and expectations, while also highlighting women's strength in navigating their careers.
We hope that the study is able to illuminate persistence of male perspective in the literature and promote a perspective of women as strong and resilient professionals.
Abstract
With the purpose of breaking down socially derived, implicit assumptions regarding women and highlighting their resilience and strength within organizations, this study focused upon career experiences of women engineers.
Findings indicated women constantly navigated gendered social and organizational norms to develop their careers. We found them to employ three distinct coping strategies, conforming to play by the rules, negotiating to play around the rules and defying to establish own rules. The ways in which participants arrived at and enacted on these coping strategies is illustrative of their strength, forethought and self‐directedness. All participants demonstrated high self‐concept and the ability to learn and adapt.
The study allowed us to acknowledge prevalence of gendered norms and expectations, while also highlighting women's strength in navigating their careers.
We hope that the study is able to illuminate persistence of male perspective in the literature and promote a perspective of women as strong and resilient professionals.
Monday, 29 July 2019
Join the queue: Including women’s toilet needs in public space
an article by Clara Greed (University of West of England, UK) published in The Sociological Review Volume 67 Issue 4 (July 2019)
Abstract
The trend towards desegregated women’s and men’s toilets, including installing Gender Neutral Toilets (GNTs), and the implications of revisions to the Gender Recognition Act for women-only spaces, have brought into focus the pre-existing lack of female toilet provision in the UK.
Looking at the problem from a town planning perspective, I argue that austerity-driven cuts are coming together with GNT provision to reshape the public toilet landscape in ways that continue to be detrimental to women. Typically women are only provided with half as many facilities as men, resulting in queues for the Ladies, and GNT provision based on relabelling rather than redesigned or additional provision can, in fact, increase competition for the cubicles in the Ladies.
The historical, legislative and cultural reasons for this inequality are explored, along with the different types of public toilet and the different requirements of male and female users.
The article draws on previous research project findings, many of which foreshadow the problems currently coming to the fore as a result of toilet desegregation.
In conclusion, recommendations are made as to how to deal with the conundrum of providing adequate facilities for all women and men, whilst providing all sorts of individuals with choice and privacy to create inclusive, accessible cities for all.
Abstract
The trend towards desegregated women’s and men’s toilets, including installing Gender Neutral Toilets (GNTs), and the implications of revisions to the Gender Recognition Act for women-only spaces, have brought into focus the pre-existing lack of female toilet provision in the UK.
Looking at the problem from a town planning perspective, I argue that austerity-driven cuts are coming together with GNT provision to reshape the public toilet landscape in ways that continue to be detrimental to women. Typically women are only provided with half as many facilities as men, resulting in queues for the Ladies, and GNT provision based on relabelling rather than redesigned or additional provision can, in fact, increase competition for the cubicles in the Ladies.
The historical, legislative and cultural reasons for this inequality are explored, along with the different types of public toilet and the different requirements of male and female users.
The article draws on previous research project findings, many of which foreshadow the problems currently coming to the fore as a result of toilet desegregation.
In conclusion, recommendations are made as to how to deal with the conundrum of providing adequate facilities for all women and men, whilst providing all sorts of individuals with choice and privacy to create inclusive, accessible cities for all.
Monday, 22 July 2019
Religion, Gender, and Social Welfare: Considerations Regarding Inclusion
an article by Susan Crawford Sullivan (Department of Sociology and Anthropology, College of the Holy Cross, USA) published in Social Inclusion Volume 7 Issue 2 (2019)
Abstract
There is increased interest in faith-based social service provision in recent years, both in the United States and across Europe.
While faith-based organizations provide welcome and needed services, there are several potential problems of social inclusion which involve gender, including decreased availability of social services when faith-based organizations are expected to compensate for cuts in government spending, potential for religious discrimination in employment, and potential for religious discrimination against recipients.
Full text (PDF 4pp)
Abstract
There is increased interest in faith-based social service provision in recent years, both in the United States and across Europe.
While faith-based organizations provide welcome and needed services, there are several potential problems of social inclusion which involve gender, including decreased availability of social services when faith-based organizations are expected to compensate for cuts in government spending, potential for religious discrimination in employment, and potential for religious discrimination against recipients.
Full text (PDF 4pp)
Out of order’: The double burden of menstrual etiquette and the subtle exclusion of women from public space in Scotland
an article by Natalie Moffat and Lucy Pickering (University of Glasgow, UK) [ublished in The Sociological Review Volume 67 Issue 4 (July 2019)
Abstract
This article examines the double burden of ‘menstrual etiquette’ and the implications for women’s inclusion in public spaces in Scotland today.
Beginning from Laws’ work on ‘menstrual etiquette’, we explore how menstrual etiquette is characterised primarily by the burden of rendering menstruation invisible, both discursively and practically. However, women not only work to ensure that others remain unaware that they are menstruating; they depend on technologies, such as menstrual product dispensers and bins, to facilitate this process of rendering menstruation invisible.
When these technologies are absent or poorly maintained, women experience a double burden: not only must they maintain the social invisibility of menstruation but do so without social or infrastructural support or drawing attention to this absence (for fear of breaching the discursive silence demanded of menstrual etiquette).
We locate poor maintenance of facilities within the very same ‘civilising process’ that has pushed women’s bodily management to the furthest reaches of the private sphere. Socially invisible, these infrastructural supports are granted low status and poorly maintained. The pressure to maintain conceptual silence around menstruation limits women’s capacity to contest this neglect and, in turn, perpetuates their exclusion from public space.
This article, then, exposes the nature and the compounding temporal and affective burden of menstrual etiquette and advocates for breaking discursive silences to facilitate much needed social change.
Abstract
This article examines the double burden of ‘menstrual etiquette’ and the implications for women’s inclusion in public spaces in Scotland today.
Beginning from Laws’ work on ‘menstrual etiquette’, we explore how menstrual etiquette is characterised primarily by the burden of rendering menstruation invisible, both discursively and practically. However, women not only work to ensure that others remain unaware that they are menstruating; they depend on technologies, such as menstrual product dispensers and bins, to facilitate this process of rendering menstruation invisible.
When these technologies are absent or poorly maintained, women experience a double burden: not only must they maintain the social invisibility of menstruation but do so without social or infrastructural support or drawing attention to this absence (for fear of breaching the discursive silence demanded of menstrual etiquette).
We locate poor maintenance of facilities within the very same ‘civilising process’ that has pushed women’s bodily management to the furthest reaches of the private sphere. Socially invisible, these infrastructural supports are granted low status and poorly maintained. The pressure to maintain conceptual silence around menstruation limits women’s capacity to contest this neglect and, in turn, perpetuates their exclusion from public space.
This article, then, exposes the nature and the compounding temporal and affective burden of menstrual etiquette and advocates for breaking discursive silences to facilitate much needed social change.
Tuesday, 16 July 2019
Do Men Favor Men in Recruitment? A Field Experiment in the Swedish Labor Market
an artticle by Anni Erlandsson (Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University, Sweden) puvblished in Work and Occupations Volume 46 Issue 3 (August 2019)
Abstract
Utilizing a field experiment design, this article examines whether discrimination based on any combination of job applicant gender and recruiter gender occurs in the first stage of the recruitment process, that is, selecting applicants to be contacted. This study includes 1,643 job applications in the Swedish labor market.
Overall, based on the callbacks received, male recruiters, unlike female recruiters, are found to contact male applicants more often than female applicants.
The results show a pro-male bias by male recruiters in gender-mixed occupations, whereas no significant gender differences in callbacks by recruiter gender are found in male- and female-dominated occupations.
Abstract
Utilizing a field experiment design, this article examines whether discrimination based on any combination of job applicant gender and recruiter gender occurs in the first stage of the recruitment process, that is, selecting applicants to be contacted. This study includes 1,643 job applications in the Swedish labor market.
Overall, based on the callbacks received, male recruiters, unlike female recruiters, are found to contact male applicants more often than female applicants.
The results show a pro-male bias by male recruiters in gender-mixed occupations, whereas no significant gender differences in callbacks by recruiter gender are found in male- and female-dominated occupations.
Thursday, 27 June 2019
Feminising politics, politicising feminism? Women in post-conflict Northern Irish politics
an article by Jennifer Thomson (University of Bath, UK) published in British Politics Volume 14 Issue 2 (June 2019)
Abstract
2018 marks the twentieth anniversary of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement and the establishment of devolved governance in Northern Ireland. Yet, whilst devolution has largely been held to have positive effects in Scotland and Wales with regards to both women’s descriptive and substantive representation, this impact has been less discernible in Northern Ireland.
Of the four regions of the United Kingdom, politics in Northern Ireland is arguably the most unfeminised — women have routinely seen lower descriptive representation in the Northern Irish Assembly and policy-making in areas such as reproductive rights lies far behind the rest of the UK.
The article explores why politics is so unfeminised in the post-conflict context in Northern Ireland, by looking at efforts to feminise formal politics (especially the various peace/inter-party agreements and attempts to include women in formal politics) and efforts to politicise feminist activism (the work of the women’s sector to influence policy-making in the province). It then explores some of the academic explanations as to why the feminisation of politics remains so difficult in Northern Ireland.
Abstract
2018 marks the twentieth anniversary of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement and the establishment of devolved governance in Northern Ireland. Yet, whilst devolution has largely been held to have positive effects in Scotland and Wales with regards to both women’s descriptive and substantive representation, this impact has been less discernible in Northern Ireland.
Of the four regions of the United Kingdom, politics in Northern Ireland is arguably the most unfeminised — women have routinely seen lower descriptive representation in the Northern Irish Assembly and policy-making in areas such as reproductive rights lies far behind the rest of the UK.
The article explores why politics is so unfeminised in the post-conflict context in Northern Ireland, by looking at efforts to feminise formal politics (especially the various peace/inter-party agreements and attempts to include women in formal politics) and efforts to politicise feminist activism (the work of the women’s sector to influence policy-making in the province). It then explores some of the academic explanations as to why the feminisation of politics remains so difficult in Northern Ireland.
Monday, 24 June 2019
“A group that’s just women for women”: Feminist affordances of private Facebook groups for professionals
an article by Urszula Pruchniewska (Temple University, USA) published in New Media & Society Volume 21 Issue 6 (June 2019)
Abstract
Women across a range of industries are creating women-only private Facebook groups for professional support, networking opportunities, and career development.
Through interviews with 26 women, this research shows how private Facebook groups provide affordances for creating spaces reminiscent of second-wave consciousness-raising groups. Within these groups, separate from cisgender men, women discuss their work experiences and share advice, leading to changes for women beyond the groups’ borders. Thus, private Facebook groups for professional women support feminist practices despite not being labeled as explicitly feminist.
However, these activities are limited in their usefulness for the wider feminist project by the exclusion of some women across lines of difference such as race, class, and age. This study illustrates empirically how social media is used for everyday politics, contributing to understandings of the digital fourth wave of the women’s movement.
Abstract
Women across a range of industries are creating women-only private Facebook groups for professional support, networking opportunities, and career development.
Through interviews with 26 women, this research shows how private Facebook groups provide affordances for creating spaces reminiscent of second-wave consciousness-raising groups. Within these groups, separate from cisgender men, women discuss their work experiences and share advice, leading to changes for women beyond the groups’ borders. Thus, private Facebook groups for professional women support feminist practices despite not being labeled as explicitly feminist.
However, these activities are limited in their usefulness for the wider feminist project by the exclusion of some women across lines of difference such as race, class, and age. This study illustrates empirically how social media is used for everyday politics, contributing to understandings of the digital fourth wave of the women’s movement.
Monday, 10 June 2019
Discrimination in hiring based on potential and realised fertility: A field experiment
a column by Sascha O. Becker, Ana Fernandes and Doris Weichselbaumer for VOX: CEPR’s Policy Portal
The arrival of a child affects women and men differently in terms of labour market outcomes, but it is difficult to separate out the causal impact of discrimination from other factors.
This column uses empirical evidence from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria to show that women are most affected in part-time job applications if they signal a ‘risk’ of having young children soon.
Continue reading
Hazel’s comment
I would normally leave it to you to decide if you want to read the whole article but I do arge anyone with an interest in gendered employment issues to do so.
Yes, it does state the obvious (to me) but it also provides a wealth of statistical evidence.
The arrival of a child affects women and men differently in terms of labour market outcomes, but it is difficult to separate out the causal impact of discrimination from other factors.
This column uses empirical evidence from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria to show that women are most affected in part-time job applications if they signal a ‘risk’ of having young children soon.
Continue reading
Hazel’s comment
I would normally leave it to you to decide if you want to read the whole article but I do arge anyone with an interest in gendered employment issues to do so.
Yes, it does state the obvious (to me) but it also provides a wealth of statistical evidence.
Friday, 26 April 2019
It’s not just for boys! Understanding gender differences in STEM
a column by Judith Delaney and Paul Devereux for VOX: CEPR’s Policy Portal
Women are much less likely to study STEM degrees at university.
This column reveals that in the case of Ireland, the gender gap is concentrated in the areas of engineering, technology, and mathematics.
Subject choice in secondary school is the most important predictor of the portion of the gap that can be explained, with a small role for grades achieved in mathematics versus English. A gender gap of 9% remains even among students who studied the same subjects and achieved the same grades at secondary school.
Continue reading
Women are much less likely to study STEM degrees at university.
This column reveals that in the case of Ireland, the gender gap is concentrated in the areas of engineering, technology, and mathematics.
Subject choice in secondary school is the most important predictor of the portion of the gap that can be explained, with a small role for grades achieved in mathematics versus English. A gender gap of 9% remains even among students who studied the same subjects and achieved the same grades at secondary school.
Continue reading
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