Intraoccupational sex segregation

Date and country of first publication^[1]

2002
United Kingdom

Definition

Intraoccupational sex segregation refers to the phenomenon of men and women being unevenly distributed across different occupations within the same field or industry. It refers to the concentration of individuals of one gender in certain occupations while the other gender is concentrated in different occupations, leading to a gender-based division of labor within a particular profession or sector.

This type of segregation is typically seen in traditionally male-dominated or female-dominated fields. For example, nursing and teaching are fields traditionally associated with women, while engineering and computer science are fields traditionally associated with men. In such cases, women may be underrepresented in male-dominated professions, and men may be underrepresented in female-dominated professions.

There are several factors that contribute to intra-occupational sex segregation. These include societal norms and gender stereotypes that influence career choices, differences in educational and training opportunities, biased hiring and promotion practices, workplace cultures that favor one gender over the other, and the persistence of gender-related barriers and discrimination.

Intra-occupational sex segregation has implications for gender equality and equity in the workplace. It can perpetuate gender inequalities by limiting career opportunities, advancement, and earning potential for individuals of a particular gender. It can also reinforce stereotypes and gender roles, making it difficult for individuals to break free from traditional gender expectations.

Efforts to address intra-occupational sex segregation involve promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, challenging gender stereotypes and biases, providing equal access to education and training in all occupations, implementing inclusive hiring and promotion practices, and fostering supportive and inclusive work cultures. These measures aim to create a more equitable and inclusive workforce where individuals can pursue their chosen profession without being limited by their gender.

References

Notes

↑ Date and country of first publication as informed by the Scopus database (December 2023).

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