16 Sep Gender Stereotypical Job Roles Affect Recruitment

‘Not a woman’s job’. To most of you, those words will make your skin shudder and your eyes wince with embarrassment. Still, gender stereotypes in jobs are still a predominant issue within recruitment. Out of the CEOS of the Fortune 500 companies (described as ‘The Fortune 500 is an annual list compiled and published by Fortune magazine that ranks 500 of the largest United States corporations by total revenue for their respective fiscal years.’), only 24 are female. Moreover, 52% of female STEM workers are reported to be leaving their occupations as a result of ‘macho workplace issues’.

Men Also Subjected To Stereotypes

It is not just women, however, that are feeling the brunt of gender stereotypes in the workplace. Less than 10% of nurses are male. Additionally, it is informed that over a third of men, and roughly half of women do not feel that they can voice their worries relating to gender equality with their employers. Another report suggests that equal amounts of both men and women have experienced some type of gender inequality at work. The top 3 types of gender inequality are said to be: wage inequality, verbal harassment, and unfair promotion.

Stereotypes Formed At Early Age

Many gender stereotypes are subconsciously learned at a young age. Worryingly, a study in which children were asked to draw various job roles, showed that children mostly conformed to the idea of gender stereotypes. Children were more likely to draw nurses as female, and builders and bankers as male. Lawyers were the most gender balanced of the 4 job roles that the children were asked to draw. The children were also asked their dream career choice. Girls were more likely to say that they wanted to be a teacher, vet, dancer etc. Boys were more likely to say that they wanted to grow up to be a footballer, policeman, or scientist, among other careers.

Interventions

Interventions in school classrooms can prevent work-related gender stereotypes from being formed. Teachers are being urged to acknowledge gender stereotypes, as well as the consequences they may have on young and impressionable individuals. It is not just classrooms, though, in which these stereotypes are created. The genders roles in films and fairy tales can also influence a child’s view of what a ‘male job’ or ‘female job’ is. Considering this, parents and teachers alike could monitor the viewing material of children. Doing this could minimise the likelihood of gender stereotypical job roles being formed.

Like us on Facebook here

More news here