Job segregation

Date and country of first publication

1973
United States

Definition

Job segregation refers to the practice of separating individuals into certain types of jobs based on their gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. It is the result of discrimination and systemic biases in hiring practices and can contribute to unequal opportunities and treatment in the workplace.

Historically, women and minority groups have often been relegated to lower-paying and lower-status jobs, while men have dominated higher-paying and higher-status positions. The practice of job segregation can perpetuate stereotypes and reinforce inequalities, limiting the advancement and representation of certain groups in higher-level roles.

In many countries, laws and regulations have been established to combat job segregation and promote equal employment opportunities. These include laws like the Equal Pay Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and other antidiscrimination laws aimed at breaking down barriers and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workforce.

While progress has been made over the years, job segregation still persists in many industries and professions. Efforts to address this issue involve promoting diversity and inclusion in recruitment, providing equal opportunities for training and advancement, and challenging stereotypes and biases that contribute to job segregation.

Overall, job segregation is a detrimental practice that limits individual potential and hinders social progress. Creating inclusive workplaces where individuals of all backgrounds have equal opportunities for employment and advancement is crucial for creating a fair and equitable society.

Related segregation forms

Job segregation is frequently discussed in the literature with the following segregation forms:

occupational segregation, gender segregation, sex segregation, occupational gender segregation, racial segregation, social segregation, black residential segregation, black segregation, residential segregation, labor market segregation, horizontal segregation

This visualization is based on the study The Multidisciplinary Landscape of Segregation Research.

For the complete network of interrelated segregation forms, please refer to:

• First year of publication

• Louvain clusters

• Betweenness centrality

• Disciplines in which segregation forms first emerged (Scopus database).

Notes

At its current state, this definition has been generated by a Large Language Model (LLM) so far without review by an independent researcher or a member of the curating team of segregation experts that keep the Segregation Wiki online. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its reliability, completeness and timeliness. Please use this content with caution and verify information as needed. Also, feel free to improve on the definition as you see fit, including the use of references and other informational resources. We value your input in enhancing the quality and accuracy of the definitions of segregation forms collectively offered in the Segregation Wiki ©.

Job segregation appears in the following literature

Marshall R. (1963). Some factors influencing the upgrading of negroes in the southern petroleu \1 refining industry. Social Forces, 42(2), 186-195. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/42.2.186

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Stahura J.M. (1983). Determinants of Change in the Distribution of Blacks across Suburbs. Sociological Quarterly, 24(3), 421-433. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.1983.tb00711.x

Reskin B.F. (1988). Bringing the men back in: Sex Differentiation and the Devaluation of Women's Work. Gender & Society, 2(1), 58-81. https://doi.org/10.1177/089124388002001005

Hensman R. (1988). The gender divisions of labour in manufacturing industry a case study in india. South Asia Research, 8(2), 133-153. https://doi.org/10.1177/026272808800800203

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Hou J.W. (1991). Wage comparison by gender and the effect of job segregation: The case of Taiwan. China Economic Review, 2(2), 195-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/1043-951X(91)90004-R

Morgan G., Knights D. (1991). Gendering jobs: Corporate strategy, managerial control and the dynamics of job segregation. Work Employment & Society, 5(2), 181-200. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017091005002003

Grand C. (1991). Explaining the Male Female Wage Gap: Job Segregation and Solidarity Wage Bargaining in Sweden. Acta Sociologica, 34(4), 261-277. https://doi.org/10.1177/000169939103400402

Hakim C. (1991). Grateful slaves and self made women: Fact and fantasy in women's work orientations. European Sociological Review, 7(2), 101-121. Oxford University Press.https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.esr.a036590

Devine F. (1993). Gender segregation and labour supply: On ‘choosing’ gender atypical jobs. British Journal of Education & Work, 6(3), 61-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/0269000930060304

Tanski J.M. (1994). The impact of crisis, stabilization and structural adjustment on women in Lima, Peru. World Development, 22(11), 1627-1642. https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-750X(94)00073-5

Kenney S.J. (1994). Who Is Protected? What’s Wrong ith Exclusionary Policies. Women and Politics, 13(3-4), 153-173. https://doi.org/10.1300/J014v13n03_10

Core F. (1994). Women and the restructuring of employment. OECD Observer, 186(), 5-12. https://doi.org/

Hutton S. (1994). Men's and women's incomes: evidence from survey data. Journal of Social Policy, 23(1), 21-40. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0047279400021309

Kulis S.S., Shaw H.E. (1996). Racial segregation among postsecondary workers. Social Forces, 75(2), 575-591. University of North Carolina Press.https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/75.2.575

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Hull R.P., Umansky P.H. (1997). An examination of gender stereotyping as an explanation for vertical job segregation in public accounting. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 22(6), 507-528. Elsevier Ltd.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0361-3682(96)00028-1

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Jordan F. (1997). An occupational hazard? Sex segregation in tourism employment. Tourism Management, 18(8), 525-534. Elsevier Ltd.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(97)00074-5

Brown K. (1997). Evaluating equity outcomes in state public sectors: A comparison of three housing agencies. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 56(4), 57-66. Blackwell Publishing Ltd.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8500.1997.tb02489.x

Lee W.K.M. (1998). Gender inequality and discrimination in Singapore. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 28(4), 484-497. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472339880000261

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Marsh R.M. (1998). Gender and pay in Taiwan: Men's attitudes in 1963 and 1991. International Journal of Comparative Sociology, 39(1), 134-137. Brill Academic Publishers.https://doi.org/10.1177/002071529803900108

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Browne I., Hewitt C., Tigges L., Green G. (2001). Why does job segregation lead to wage inequality among African Americans? Person, place, sector, or skills?. Social Science Research, 30(3), 473-495. Academic Press Inc..https://doi.org/10.1006/ssre.2001.0708

Ngo H.-Y., Foley S., Wong A., Loi R. (2003). Who Gets More of the Pie? Predictors of Perceived Gender Inequity at Work. Journal of Business Ethics, 45(3), 227-241. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024179524538

Rudin J.P. (2003). U.S. pay equity legislation: Sheep in wolves' clothing. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 15(4), 183-190. Springer New York.https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ERRJ.0000004057.30278.4c

Guy M.E., Newman M.A. (2004). Women's jobs, men's jobs: Sex segregation and emotional labor. Public Administration Review, 64(3), 289-298. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6210.2004.00373.x

Huffman M.L., Cohen P.N. (2004). Racial Wage Inequality: Job Segregation and Devaluation Across U.S. Labor Markets. American Journal of Sociology, 109(4), 902-936. https://doi.org/10.1086/378928

Hewitt C.M. (2004). African American concentration in jobs: The political economy of job segregation and contestation in Atlanta. Urban Affairs Review, 39(3), 318-341. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078087403253416

Stone P., Kuperberg A. (2005). Anti discrimination vs. anti poverty? A comparison of pay equity and living wage reforms. Journal of Women, Politics and Policy, 27(3-4), 23-39. https://doi.org/10.1300/J501v27n03_03

Kesler C. (2006). Social policy and immigrant joblessness in Britain, Germany and Sweden. Social Forces, 85(2), 743-770. https://doi.org/10.1353/sof.2007.0013

Queneau H. (2006). Is the long term reduction in occupational sex segregation still continuing in the United States?. Social Science Journal, 43(4), 681-688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soscij.2006.08.019

Brynin M. (2006). Gender equality through computerisation. European Sociological Review, 22(2), 111-123. https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/jci046

DiTomaso N., Post C., Parks-Yancy R. (2007). Workforce diversity and inequality: Power, status, and numbers. Annual Review of Sociology, 33(), 473-501. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.33.040406.131805

Semyonov M., Herring C. (2007). Segregated jobs or ethnic niches?. The impact of racialized employment on earnings inequality. Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, 25(4), 245-257. JAI Press.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rssm.2007.08.006

Ashcraft K.L. (2007). Appreciating the ‘work’ of discourse: Occupational identity and difference as organizing mechanisms in the case of commercial airline pilots. Discourse & Communication, 1(1), 9-36. https://doi.org/10.1177/1750481307071982

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Kaas L. (2009). Does equal pay legislation reduce labour market inequality?. Scandinavian Journal of Economics, 111(1), 51-71. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9442.2008.01554.x

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