I

BLEEDING PINK:
WOMEN IN MEN-DOMINATED FIELD

A Research Paper Presented

to the High School Faculty of
Negros Occidental High School

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for

Practical Research I

CHIVA MARIE AMOLO

SHANNA DALE DELA TORRE
KENNAH JIMENEZ
KITH T. LABIGA
TREXIE FAITH C. MELLIZA
ALIYAH WAYNE A. SUN

June, 2023
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APPROVAL SHEET

The qualitative research entitled “BLEEDING PINK: WOMEN IN MEN-DOMINATED

FIELD” presented by CHIVA AMOLO, SHANNA DALE DELA TORRE, KENNAH

JIMENEZ, KITH T. LABIGA, TREXIE FAITH C. MELLIZA, ALIYAH WAYNE A.

SUN , in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Practical Research 1 of Negros Occidental

High School has been evaluated and approved by the panel of evaluators.

PANEL OF EVALUATORS

Chair

Member Member

JANICE G. DAVID

Research Adviser
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, the researchers would like to offer their sincerest gratitude to the

Sovereign God who guide and blessed the researchers with wisdom, patience and sustaining

grace throughout the course of the study.

The researchers would like to convey their profound appreciation and gratitude to

their families and friends for their unwavering support and faith in the researchers skills.

Their persistent support, assistance, and sacrifices have been invaluable in the academic and

research endeavors. Their unshakable faith in the researchers has served as a constant source

of motivation, and the researchers are really grateful for their constant presence their in life.

The researchers will be eternally grateful to them for their love, support, and the numerous

chances they have afforded the researchers. This study would not have been accomplished

without their unshakable faith in the researchers abilities. With deep gratitude and affection,

the researchers dedicate this work to their wonderful parents, siblings and friends.

Moreover, the researchers would like to extend their sincerest appreciation and

warmest gratitude to Ms. Janice G. David for her invaluable contributions to the research

project. Her expertise, guidance, and support through insightful feedback, encouragement,

and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the direction and outcomes of this study.

The researchers express our heartfelt thanks to Ms. Janice G. David for her invaluable

contributions and support throughout this research journey.

The researcher would also like to extend their sincere gratitude to the validators of the

interview guide for their invaluable contribution to this study. Their expertise and meticulous

review played a critical role in refining the study design and ensuring the accuracy and

validity of the interview guide. The researchers are immensely grateful for their rigorous
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assessment and insightful feedback, which allowed the researchers to proceed with

confidence in their research.

Furthermore, the researchers would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the

respondents who willingly participated in this study. Their time, effort, and willingness to

share their insights and experiences have been invaluable to our research. They deeply

appreciate their contribution, which has allowed the researchers to gather meaningful data

and draw meaningful conclusions. Without their participation, this study would not have been

possible. The researchers are grateful for their trust, openness, and commitment to advancing

knowledge in this field. Each participant's contribution has made a significant impact, and the

researchers extend their sincere thanks to each and every one of them.

Additionally, the researchers express their sincere thanks to each member for their

commitment, insightful feedback, and unwavering support. Their collective efforts have been

instrumental in shaping the research design, data analysis, and overall quality of this study.

The researchers are truly grateful for their contributions and the opportunity to work with

such a remarkable group of individuals.

The researchers extend their sincerest gratitude to every individuals who supported

and help in making this study. Without them this research study would not have been

possible.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

TITLE PAGE i
APPROVAL SHEET ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
LIST OF TABLES vii
LIST OF FIGURES viii
ABSTRACT ix
CHAPTER I (INTRODUCTION) 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the problem 3
Scope and Delimitation 3
Significance of the Study 4
Definition of terms 5
Theoretical Framework 6

CHAPTER II (REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 8

CHAPTER III (METHODOLOGY) 14

Research Design 14
Locale of the study 14
Informants of the study 15
Criteria in choosing the Informants 16
Data Gathering Instruments 16
Data Gathering Procedure 17
Rigors of the Findings 18
Procedure for Data Explication 19

CHAPTERIV :ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 21

Profile Matrix 21
Conceptual Framework 23
Research Findings 24
Discussion of Data 25
CHAPTER V (SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION) 40
Summary 40
Conclusion 4 1
Recommendation 42
REFERENCE 44
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APPENDICES 46

Appendix A: Letter to the Conversation Participants 46

Appendix B: Good and Scates Validation Form 52

Appendix C: Interview Guide Questions 64

Appendix D: Documentation of Data Gathering 66

CURRICULUM VITAE 68
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LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1. Profile of the Participants 21

2. Matrix 1: TIME MANAGEMENT 25
3. Matrix 2: DIFFERENT OF PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES 27

BETWEEN GENDERS

4. Matrix 3: BUILDING RELATIONSHIP 30

5. Matrix 4: LOVE AND PASSION FOR THEIR JOB 31
6. Matrix 5: RESILIENCE 33
7. Matrix 6: WHEN A CHALLENGE BECAME AN ADVANTAGE 35
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LIST OF FIGURES

Figures Page

1. Schematic Diagram of the Conceptual Framework of the study 23

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ABSTRACT

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Women in Men-Dominated Fields. The

researchers conducted a study with four (4) Females in male-Dominated workplaces as

conversation participants in the study through an interview with the use of interview guide

questions. This study utilized phenomenological qualitative research, where the purposive

sampling technique was used. The result shows that love for their job play an essential role to

motivate them to do their work efficiently. It is also reveled that women encounter various

challenges in the field that related to stereotypes and biases compared to their male

counterparts. Furthermore the results shows that women found ways to cope with the

challenges they face by showing commitment and resilience amidst thorny

challenges.Women realized that staying optimistic will help them stay focused on getting

through any obstacles.

Keywords: Women in Men-dominated Field , Conversation Participants, Interview Guide

Questions, Phenomenological, Purposive Sampling, Love for their Job, Stereotypes & Biases
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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

In most societies, women were traditionally confined to the home as daughters, wives

and mothers, and we are often only aware of women in history because of their relation to

famous men. Many women throughout history did in fact play an important role in cultural

and political life, but they tend to be invisible (Council of Europe, 2019).

Women have struggled for gender equality and against oppression for centuries and

although battles against antifeminism have been partly won, giving women the right to vote

and equal access to education, they continue to be disproportionately affected by all sorts of

violence and discrimination in all facets of life (Council of Europe, 2019).

Finding a job is much tougher for women than it is for men. When women are

employed, they tend to work in low-quality jobs in vulnerable conditions, and there is little

improvement forecast in the near future. Gender inequality in the workplace and school takes

many forms, unequal pay, disparity in promotions, incident of sexual harassment, and racism

(Wooll, 2021).

Compared to men, women are significantly underrepresented in science, technology,

engineering, and math (STEM) areas, despite having a remarkable track record of progressing

toward higher education. The elements that account for gendered participation patterns in

STEM in nations with different national characteristics and educational systems are less well

understood (Kwak and Ramirez, 2019).

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Male-dominated careers such as engineering, maritime, police force and automotive

are industries that is particularly vulnerable to reinforcing harmful stereotypes and creating

unfavorable environments that make it even more difficult for women to excel (Campuzano,

2019).

Women and men remain concentrated in different jobs and fields, a trend known as

occupational segregations. However, male-dominated industries aren’t the only sectors with a

pay gap. Whether an industry is predominantly male or female, or more of an even mix,

women still earn less than men in almost all occupations (Catalyst, nd).

Given the premises above, a gender gap in men-dominated field persists around the

world. Thus, this study aims to explore and understand the live experience of women in men-

dominated field. The purpose of this study is to ensure students particularly women about

workplace patriarchal norms with the study anchored with this aspect. This study will be

conducted to increase the knowledge on this topic and contribute to the youth in pursuing a

career in men-dominated field.

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STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to explore the lives of women in the fields that are traditionally male-

dominated.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are the experiences of women in the men-dominated field?

2. What are the challenges of women in the men-dominated field?

3. What are the coping mechanisms of women in the men-dominated field with the

experience?

4. What do female professionals say about being a woman in the field?

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

The main focus of this study is to explore the life of women in men-dominated field

of work. The researchers will be limiting the study on female professionals in police,

engineering, and maritime industries. The research will be conducted through interviews with

3-5 females and data collection. The study will be conducted within Negros Occidental,

Philippines only.

This study considers every aspect of women’s insights and perceptions on men-

dominated fields. Specifically, their experiences, challenges, and coping mechanisms on the

experience. It will consider the participants availability due to the possibility of absence on

the day of the interview with reasons out of human control. Moreover, all the information

given by the participants must be kept with utmost confidentiality and maintained unbiased

judgement.
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SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings of the study may provide deeper insights on women’s predicament in the

fields that is traditionally male-dominated. Data produced in this study will be used to

address the issues regarding gender gaps in Men-dominated Fields. Although several similar

studies have been conducted, discrimination and unfair treatment of women continue to be

problems in the modern day and age. Actions are required to attain equality and women's

empowerment to overcome the problems that women experience in fields that are

traditionally male-dominated.

To the Government, the results may serve as a basis for the need of improvement in

career fields, in order to promote women’s rights to be treated equally with respect and

without prejudice against the gender.

To the Women, the results may serve as an enlightenment for the position of females

in the fields that are traditionally male-dominated, to spread awareness, and provide insights

and appreciation to the Women Warriors of our society.

To the Students, the results of the exploratory study may serve as a basis for

choosing a career of choice and to provide data on the conundrum and opportunities in the

organization.

To the future researchers, the results of the study would serve as their reference in

their research study which could be beneficial and similar to this.

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DEFINITION OF TERMS

Terminology may be applied to different meanings in different fields. There is a need

for the researchers to define the terms to ensure that readers understand the precise meaning

of each term used in this study. A list of terms in definitions used in this study delineated

below.

Bleeding, conceptually, it means loss of blood from the circulatory system.

Operationally, it represents the struggles of women.

Men-dominated field, conceptually, it means an organization or area of activity in which

men have most have the power and influence.

Operationally, it refers to the police, engineering, and maritime industries that are

traditionally dominated by men.

Pink, conceptually, it means a color intermediate between red and white, as of coral or

salmon.

Operationally, it represents feminism and women.

Women, conceptually, it means a female individual.

Operationally, it is our subjects in the study that are involved in men-dominated

fields.
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THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The “Social Cognitive Theory” of self efficacy

This study looks at the experiences and coping mechanism of women in accordance to

the challenges they face in a men-dominated field. The research paradigms seen as pertinent

for this study therefore is the social cognitive theory and its subset self efficacy that first put

forth by Albert Bandura around the year 1986. Using social cognitive theory, the study views

people as active agents that can influenced and can be influenced by its surroundings, thus,

people acquire knowledge and grow through combination of their activities, environment,

and personal beliefs. People wants to acquire the ability to choose what action to take, to have

control over the significant events in their lives.

The theory shows that, people the way in which women deal with adversities depends

greatly on their individual self-belief in their own potential and their drive to succeed.

According to Celestine (2019), one of the most important characteristics of people who have

high self-efficacy is the ability to look past short-term losses and not allow them shatter their

self-trust. The harsh situations individuals face create opportunity for them to learn and grow,

acquiring new skills, perspectives, and coping mechanisms. As individuals overcome these

hurdles, their self-efficacy (belief in one's own skills) grows, giving them even more

confidence to confront future challenges. Social and cultural elements, such as gender-based

societal norms influence people’s views and behavior.

Moreover, according to Schunk (2012), social cognitive theory argues that people

actively impact their learning by interpreting the outcomes of their actions, which influences

their settings and personal factors, informing and changing subsequent behavior. This study

let people comprehend the particular qualities and advantages earned by women encountering
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problems under the social cognitive theory, which highlights the connection between personal

beliefs, the environment, and behaviors in molding their experiences and outcomes.
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CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This segment presents the reviewed recent related literature, studies, theories and

synthesis of the art to support the study of exploring the experiences of a woman in men

dominated field. The applicable literature for this study included key terms such as women in

male-dominated

Related Literature

Around the world, finding a job is much tougher for woman than it is to man.

According to the study of Pinto and Patanakul et al., 2018, evidence of gender bias was found

in relation to perceived technical competence; in situations where the perceived technical

competence of the job candidate was low the female candidate was less likely to be hired

over a male counterpart. Discrimination against woman is particularly apparent regarding

hiring (Pinto, Patanakul et al., 2017)

Women in Men-dominated field often put in office work instead of the actual work.

Sexist expectation that a woman is naturally for domestic chores is what set women in charge

for “office housework” (Rackshit, 2021). A “man’s” career is seen as having a higher

credibility than a “woman’s” job (Doering & Thebaud, 2017).

According to the study of Veldman, Meeussen & Van Lar et. al (2017), among 657

employees working in 85 teams in the police force showed that, the police force as a male-

dominated field, gender-dissimilarity in the team was related to perceived gender-work

identity conflict for women, and not for men.

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“Although I generally feel good within our team, the feeling that as a woman you

have to prove yourself even more to get the same appreciation as a police detective prevails.”

The above-mentioned response from a female police participant shows that this is

sometimes the case for women working in the police force, an agency with a relatively recent

history of hiring women and where women are still notably underrepresented globally

(Bureau of Justice Statistics, nd).

Out of the 41 territories for which data are available, only ten countries, including

Cyprus, England, Wales, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway,

Serbia, Scotland, and Sweden, reach or exceed 25% female representation. Additionally,

many law enforcement agencies have a relatively small percentage of female applicants and

few female employees. Furthermore, there are only eighteen percent (18%) policewomen of

the PNP's strength compared to men, who comprise eighty-two percent, revealing

policewomen are continuing to be outnumbered by male counterparts across all ranks

according to PNP data from 2021. Therefore, in response to the male dominance of

mainstream criminology, feminist criminology grew out of the Women's Movement of the

1970s (TEAMSTERS LOCAL 987).

The study above, shows that if you are a woman working in a field where men

predominate, you understand what it's like to be the minority. Industries with a male

preponderance are more likely to reinforce preconceptions and foster unfavorable working

conditions for women. They are paid less for performing the same work than men, they have

a lower chance of getting promoted, and they are more likely to experience prejudice.

(TEAMSTERS LOCAL 987)

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For centuries it was stereotyped that women were the inferior sex. Only capable of

being emphatic and gentle while men, on the other hand, continue to be described as

excelling at tasks that required logic, spatial, reasoning, and motor skills (Saini, 2017).

Workplaces were imbedded with stereotypes that it produces a toxic environment (Leonard,

2018). Women continue to break away forms standardized patriarchal norms as they were

still treated underrepresented (Dutta, 2022).

When it comes to the world of science, women are in the minority. Less than 30% of

the world’s researchers are women and this under-representation occurs in every region in

the world. (World Economic Forum, 2020).

Global female enrollment is particularly low in certain fields. Women make up just

3% of students worldwide enrolling in information and communication technology (ICT)

courses. For courses in mathematics and statistics, that rises slightly to 5%. Additionally, it

rises to 8% for courses in engineering, manufacturing, and construction. Although, in some

parts of the world, women are more likely to enroll in STEM programs than in others,

however gender gaps continue to exist (World Economic Forum, 2020).

Girls and women are becoming less interested in pursuing jobs in science-related

fields as a result of entrenched gender stereotypes and gender bias.

“Even today, in the 21st century, women and girls are being sidelined in science-

related fields due to their gender. Women need to know that they have a place in science,

technology, engineering and mathematics, and that they have a right to share in scientific

progress (Azoulay, 2021).

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The Gender Bias Without Borders study, which reveals how gender preconceptions

are reinforced by the way women are portrayed in movies, exposes gender inequities in the

US film industry (World Economic Forum, 2020).

In addition, preexisting biases contribute to the disparity in the representation of men

and women in the engineering field. Men and women are equally capable of working in the

industry; yet, "most of us carry prejudices of which we are unaware but that nonetheless play

a large role in our evaluations of people and their work" (Weber, 2018). This contributes to

the main point since, in the end, employers could be less likely to choose a woman over a

man with the same qualifications because of this. Whether they are aware of them or not,

everybody have prejudices that they hold.

Less than one-third of speaking roles in major motion pictures are filled by women,

according to the survey. Men typically portray engineers, physicists, and mathematicians on

cinema; there are seven times more male STEM roles than female STEM ones. In actuality,

only 12% of on-screen characters with recognizable STEM vocations were female. It's a

circumstance that affects how gender roles are seen in society on a daily basis (World

Economic Forum, 2020).

According to the forthcoming UNESCO Science Report, despite a shortage of skills in

most of the technological fields driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution, women still account

for only 28% of engineering graduates and 40% of graduates in computer science and

informatics.

Despite the great improvement of women in the society, still some continues to

experience iniquity in workplaces. “About four-in-ten working women (42%) in the United
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States say they have faced discrimination on the job because of their gender” (Parker & Funk,

2017).

In contrast, according to the Trait theory of leadership, people tend to perceive that

someone is a leader when he/she exhibits traits associated with intelligence, masculinity, and

dominance (Dabbs, 2019). Thus, the gender does not matter in leadership roles as long as

someone embody the traits of a leader. In addition, female leaders are viewed as having an

advantage over their male counterparts. Roughly six-in-ten adults (61%) say female political

leaders do a better job at being compassionate and empathetic, and a similar share (59%) say

the same about female business leaders. By contrast, only 5% say male political leaders are

stronger on this dimension, and 4% say the same about men who lead in the corporate realm

(Horowitz & Parker et al., 2018).

The present research of National Academy of Sciences suggests that appointing

women to the top tiers of management can mitigate these deep-rooted stereotypes that are

expressed in language (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2022). Similarly,

according to the survey of Pew Research Center, about half of women (48%) say that female

leaders do a better job creating a safe and respectful workplace. Women tend to be viewed as

stronger than men on most qualities where it applies to politics and business where women

viewed as honest and ethical and standing up for what they believe in. Roughly three-in-ten

adults say female leaders do a better job than men at being honest and ethical (31% in politics

and 30% in business), while relatively few say men do a better job than women (4% in

politics, 3% in business). Similarly, about three-in-ten adults say women are better at

standing up for what they believe in (30% for politics, 32% for business), while roughly one-

in-ten say men are better (11% for politics, 10% of business).
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Despite the discrimination against women in the workplaces dominated by men, they

continue to excel and adapt with the challenges. Making women more resilient, tough and

unaffected by gender prejudice and stereotypes.

As women are underrepresented in the male-dominated industry, evidence of gender

bias against females is evident. It includes, sexist expectations where women are envisioned

only for domestic chores, paid less with a low chance of getting promoted and viewed as the

inferior sex not only in the police forces, but also on the working industry. Thus, the small

percentage of female applicants and employees in law enforcement agencies, only means that

women are a minority in men-dominated field. Despite the working industry being embedded

with stereotypes and iniquity in workplaces, women strive, continue to excel and manage to

get out of the invisibility cloak that men-dominated field creates. Making women more

resilient, tough and unaffected by gender prejudice and stereotypes.

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CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

The research methodology covers the research design, study locale, sources of data,

gatekeeper, data collection procedure, ethical considerations, rigors of findings, and the data

explication.

Research Design

The design proposed for this study will be a phenomenological approach. Creswell

(2015) describes phenomenology as a research design that requires a profound understanding

of the human experiences common to certain groups of people.

Further, this approach is deemed to be the most appropriate in describing the

experiences, challenges and coping mechanisms of women in men-dominated field.

The goal and subject matter of this method are to understand the position of women in

industries that are traditionally male-dominated and in doing so phenomenology seeks to

freshly clarify the gaps and shed light only for the truth behind every female joining in the

industry. Such human existence, which emphasize the world, have been considered preferable

given some contexts, aims, and findings of these investigations.

Locale of the Study

This study will be conducted in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. It is a highly

urbanized capital located on the northwestern coast of the large Island of Negros. The

participants of the study will be coming from different parts or schools of the city as it is

composed of 19 universities that assess various courses. It also consists 61 Barangays with an
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estimated population of 613 437 as of 2019 (NSO, 2020). Being a highly urbanized area, the

city is the seat of commerce and industry in the whole of the Negros Island.

A lot of businesses are located in the capital employing thousands of individuals

catering to various services. Individuals such as accountants, engineers, marines, police or

lawyers are active in the city, hence, the researchers chose this as the locale of the study. The

researchers will be able to acquire plenty of significant knowledge from the real-life

experience of female professionals or students in a men-dominated field.

Informants of the Study

The current study aims to develop an in-depth narration of the lived experience of

women in men – dominated fields. In order to avoid generalizing this study, it is thought

appropriate to select a small number of participants for the interview. In affirmation, Miles,

Huberman and Saldaña (2014) present that qualitative research is more focused on the depth

and detail and does not have any concrete rules on the number of participants for a study. In

consideration of the study purpose, a purposive homogeneous sampling method was adopted

in the selection of the informants. Purposive sampling is also known as judgmental or

selective sampling, where the researcher purposely chooses subjects who, in their opinion,

are relevant to the research topic (Sarantakos, 2013). Moving further, a homogeneous sample

is often chosen when the research question being addressed is specific to the characteristics of

the particular group of interest (Laerd, 2018). Homogenous sampling refers to selecting

participants with similar characteristics so that the researcher can understand an experience

shared by these participants while comparing and contrasting those experiences (Glesne,

2014).
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In this study, the research questions will be confined in a specific setting that can only

be addressed by the participants who are personally immersed in the experience. It is more

directed towards getting a comprehensive and meaningful data that would recount and

delineate the life and work experience of the subjects. A homogenous sampling allowed the

researcher to look at a particular subgroup in an in-depth manner (Patton, 2015).

Criteria in Choosing the Informants

The proper selection of inclusion criteria will optimize the external and internal

validity of the study, improve its feasibility, lower its costs, and minimize ethical concerns. In

particular, good selection criteria will guarantee sample population homogeneity, minimize

confounding, and raise the possibility of identifying a real link between exposure/intervention

and outcomes (Salkind, 2018). As such, the informants in this study will be females in Police,

Maritime, and Engineering industry. The researcher proposes three to five (3-5) conversation

partners, female, 25-40 years old, currently employed in the given industry.

Data Gathering Instrument

In this study, open-ended questions about the topic at hand will be developed by the

researchers. Personal, experience, and challenge questions were included in the guiding

questions that the researchers created. The data source will be the information gathered from

the interviews. Interviews are one of the most popular ways to collect data from people. The

process of gathering data is a useful technique to discover people's beliefs, actions, and life

experiences.
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Data Gathering Procedure

This study will make use of storytelling as a creative social activity through an

individual in-depth interview, focused group discussion and written essays with the

participants.

The researcher will create a questionnaire containing general, personal, or specific

questions that will be distributed to participants in order for them to contribute their

experiences and knowledge. Individual interviews will be conducted with the aforementioned

participants at their most convenient and available times. There will also be follow-up

questions for further information needed in this study. Contacting the discussion partners is

the first step in using a field note. Everything will be recorded, from the beginning of the

observation through the end of the interview. The behavior of the conversational partners

while being interviewed will be documented in the field notes.

Two audio recorders will be utilized to capture the responses of the participants. This

ensures that data transcription is accurate.

For this qualitative study, an in-depth interview is appropriate for data gathering. An

interview is a conversation between a researcher and another individual to obtain information

about a subject of interest. Individuals responding to the researcher's questions, also known as

study participants or conversation partners, may be asked to share their experiences, ideas,

interpretations, perceptions, and suggestions, known as data, to help answer the research

questions guiding the study. The following entry discusses how to prepare for, conduct, and

follow up on an interview (Sarantakos, 2013).

According to Brinkmann and Kvale (2018), an interview is a conversation whose

purpose is to gather descriptions of the “life-world” of the interviewee with respect to the

interpretation of the meanings of the 'described phenomena'. Similar to this, Mann (2016)
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adds that an interview is an ongoing conversation between two people that aims to learn "in-

depth information" about a particular topic or subject and allows for the interpretation of a

phenomenon based on the meanings that interviewees assign to it. Acquiring such meanings

can be accomplished in a variety of ways, the most common of which are one-on-one

interviews.

Rigors of Findings – Trusthworthiness of Qualitative Data

In qualitative research, the degree of confidence in the data, interpretation, and

methods employed to ensure the quality of a study is referred to as a study's trustworthiness

or rigor (Polit & Beck, 2014). The protocols and procedures required for a study to be taken

into account by readers should be established by researchers in each study (Amankwaa,

2016). Experts agree, trustworthiness is a prerequisite (Leung, 2015), and by far, the most

accepted criteria to ensure quality of the findings are the ones originally established by

Lincoln and Guba in 1985. Trustworthiness proceeds through the use of the following

constructs: confirmability, transferability, dependability and credibility (Guba & Lincoln,

1994).

Confirmability. According to Korstjens and Moser (2018, citing Baxter & Eyles 1997), is the

degree to which the findings of an investigation can be independently checked by other

researchers. Additionally, Anney (2015, citing Tobin & Begley 2004, p. 279) clarifies that it is

"concerned with establishing that data and interpretations of the findings are not productions

of the agent's imagination but are apparently derived from the data". The researcher will

employ a check-and-recheck technique to build the confirmability of the findings in this

investigation. To identify any potential bias or distortion, the researcher will examine the

data gathering and processing processes.

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Transferability. It is the degree to which the findings of qualitative research may be applied

to other conditions with other respondents and it is the interpretive equivalent of

generalizability. (Anney, 2015., citing Bitsch, 2005; and Tobin & Begley, 2004).

Procedure for data explication

In doing the data explication, the researcher proceeds through the most common

method, thematic analysis, it is a method for evaluating qualitative data that entails going

through a collection of data and searching for themes by looking for patterns in the meaning

of the data (Villegas, 2023). This analysis is a good approach to research in terms of finding

out something about people's views, opinions, knowledge, experiences, or values from a set

of qualitative data which is for example, interview transcripts, social media profiles, or

survey responses (Caulfield, 2019). Given the emergent nature of the data and the importance

of letting participant voices be heard, the researcher will use a data-driven inductive analysis,

allowing themes to develop directly from the data in the absence of any pre-existing model or

framework (Estrade, Dick & McNeill, 2014). Data analysis in qualitative research is a

creative process and for this study, the researcher will then utilize a six-step thematic analysis

established by Clarke and Braun (2013, in Willig & Stainton, 2017). Conceptualized in 2006,

this analytical scheme includes the following steps:

Familiarization with Data. The researcher will read and re-read the data to familiarize

themselves with the statements of the conversation partners, then will look at each statement

in order to obtain a general sense of the whole content. Significant statements that pertain to

the phenomenon under study will be extracted, following the formulation of meanings from

the significant statements.

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Generation of initial codes. After the researcher has become familiar with the data, coding

will proceed with each statement be assigned with ‘’units of meaning’’ and then will be

converted into codes.

Analyze the coding for any themes. Once the transcripts have been coded, the formulated

meanings will be sorted into categories, clusters of themes, and themes. The researchers will

use the spreadsheet and text analytics software to identify the cluster of meanings and initial

themes and begins to cluster codes together that have similar meanings or have a relationship

to one another. The researchers shall keep on the conversation partner’s sentences if these are

aligned with the code and initial themes.

Reviewing themes. The researcher will take the themes and begins to review them against

the data, the researchers will define and further refine the themes and sub-themes identified in

the analysis and makes sure the themes capture the meaningful aspects of the data without

missing any important details. The findings of the study will be integrated into an exhaustive

description of the phenomenon under study.

Defining and naming themes. The researcher will start telling the complicated story of the

data in a way which convinces the reader of the merit and validity of the analysis. She will

make sure sufficient evidence of the themes within the data are provided – i.e., enough data

extracts to demonstrate the prevalence of the theme. Validation of the findings will be sought

from the research participants to compare the researcher's descriptive results with their

experiences.

Producing the report. After the themes are defined and named, the researcher will begin to

write up the final report.

 21

CHAPTER IV

ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

In this section of the study, prominent themes are presented in matrices where

clustered responses from the participants are analyzed, interpreted, and discussed, offering

valuable insights into the research questions and contributing to the broader knowledge in the

field.

PROFILE MATRIX

Respondent Occupation

Female 1 Police officer

Female 2 Software Engineer

Female 3 Mechanical Engineer Graduate

Female 4 Software Engineer

The matrix above illustrates the profile of the conversation participants. It provides a

comprehensive overview of the demographic and professional characteristics of the

individuals involved in the study. By examining this matrix, we can gain insights into the

composition of the sample and understand the potential implications of these factors on the

research finding.

Occupation, it is a crucial factor depicted in the matrix as it is a section that is

particularly relevant in the study. It exhibits the fields where the dominance of men prevail,

offering perception of women in accordance with the field. This information help analyze
 22

how certain occupation impact the participants employment experiences that could influence

the research outcomes or bring unique viewpoints.

Overall the matrix illustrated above serves as a valuable tool for the researchers as it

is considered as a basis to grasp the insights and experiences of women in the particular

occupation. Analyzing these elements in accordance to the research objectives and variables

can improve the study's depth and accuracy, providing a more comprehensive understanding

of the current subject.

 23

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Despite the dominance of men in

certain fields, women display
unwavering strength, capacity, and
versatility, fueled by their love and
passion for what they do.

The passion and love Balancing time Gender bias is evidently

that women have for
their job empower them
to overcome the
obstacles that comes
along with it.
becomes a challenge
for women when it
comes to both work
and family
responsibilities.
seen in the workplace
especially with the
differences in physical
capabilities between men
and women.

All participants share a

common coping
mechanism, which
involves acknowledging
the existence of gender Women encounter
biases against women difficulties in establishing
and maintaining relationships within male-
resilience in the face of dominated social
adversity. activities.

The challenges that are

faced by women brought
a diverse and
advantageous qualities
in personal and
professional pursuits,
enabling them to
navigate obstacles, take
risks, and push beyond
limitations.
 24

Research Findings

The purpose of the qualitative, phenomenological study presented was to explore the

lived experiences of Women in Men-dominated field, regarding their challenges and how

they cope to drive teamwork in their workplace. The data were gathered using a semi-

structured interview with each participant of the study. The data gathered from the four (4)

women in the men-dominated field were then transcribed and analyzed using Braun and

Clarke method of data analysis.

After analyzing the data, the researchers were able to come up with the following findings:

1. Balancing time becomes a challenge for women when it comes to both work and

family responsibilities.

2. Gender bias is evidently seen in the workplace especially with the differences in

physical capabilities between men and women.

3. Women encounter difficulties in establishing relationships within male-dominated

social activities.

4. The passion and love that women have for their job empower them to overcome the

obstacles that comes along with it.

5. All participants share a common coping mechanism, which involves acknowledging

the existence of gender biases against women and maintaining resilience in the face of

adversity.

6. The challenges that are faced by women brought a diverse and advantageous qualities

in personal and professional pursuits, enabling them to navigate obstacles, take risks,

and push beyond limitations.

 25

Discussion of Data

In this section of the study, prominent themes are presented in matrices where

clustered responses from the participants are interpreted.

Matrix 1: TIME MANAGEMENT

Theme Results of the Interview Generalization

Balancing time It is clear from the

becomes a challenge “uhm, medyo struggle, especially sa time respondents' answers that
for women when it and also as a mother because ano, so my, time management is one
comes to both work may 3 year old son ko so,there are times of their greatest struggles
and family nga medyo busy sa work and medyo less in handling their work
responsibilities. na ang time mo sa imo family" and family.

“Amo lang na siguro ng na mention kona

kagina, uhmm being a mother and as a
police officer, kay sa tuod lang ng kung
mother kana lain ya ang feeling kung
single kapa kag mother kana as during
being apolice officer, kay kung police ka
kay kung mother kana bala ga tapos ga
ano kapa.”

“The skills needed that you must possess

to be an effective student, uhhh are is
that uhh, you must have an effective time
management. By managing your time
well, you can avoid procrastination, stay
organized and maintain a healthy work
life balance.”

“Uhmm siling ko gani kagina time

management lang, ahh importante gid na
sa amon. Kag siling ko liwat dapat
palangga mo imo nga ubra kay kung
baga for example ara kasa family mo
tapos hambal mo gina pa report ka, ti
kung ikaw kung ikaw nga normal nga
tawo, kita bilang nga normal nga tawo ti
syempre daw ma disappoint ka diba?
(“ahay a family time na namon pero need
 26

pa namon mag report”) pero ti part of the

job part of our work, so amo lang gid
na.”

The matrix shown above illustrates information about the importance of time

management in the industry as it actively affects the women’s work-life balance.

The result of the study shows that time is significant at the workplace as the working

condition requires a full attention, where women struggle to balance their work and personal

life. It was prominent that the participant gave the struggles of being a woman in the industry.

The participant stated their response according to their own experience and understanding of

their own struggles. In general, they said that managing their time between work and personal

life is a struggle because their workplace demands require their full focus. The respondents

then elaborated how time management became a struggle in her life as they are unable to

have and uninterrupted dedicated time for personal activities, family commitments, and rest.

A study conducted by Indeed (2023) states that time-management problems are the

challenges people encounter when trying to maximize their effectiveness in their career and

personal life. Many people commonly feel as if the time available for certain personal and

professional tasks is somewhat limited or that the demands on that time exceed what is

available.

Another study conducted by Kashyap (2023) has shown relevance in the study

conducted by the researchers. It implies that people may boost their performance and

accomplish their intended goals with less effort and more efficient methods by improving

their time management at work. However, poor time management abilities at work can lead

to strained working relationships and discord between work and personal life.
 27

Matrix 2: DIFFERENCE OF PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES BETWEEN GENDERS

Theme Results of the Interview Generalization

Gender bias is “pero kung as an electrical engineer, Men and women possess
evidently seen in challenges kasi may mga times na distinct physical capabilities,
the workplace hindi mo maobra ang mga gusto mo and the participants' responses
especially with the obrahon, like wla ka uhh lakas na, highlight this disparity by
differences in strength like ng lalaki katulad nang last acknowledging certain
physical job ko sa construction. So, indi ko activities that men can perform
capabilities kataklas, taklas sobra parehos ng mga while women cannot.
between men and lalaki. Daw like, kinanglan ko pa mag
women. kuha manpower, engineer ko siempre
kinanglan ko tan awon ang obra. So,
amo na, siguro more on strength sa
physical. Tapos amo lang mn na.”

“Pero siempre indi ta malikawan na

may mga bagay na maobra ang boy
nga indi maobra sng girl, kg may mga
bagay man na maobra sang girl nga
indi maobra sang boy, nature nana sang
tawo eh.”
“So, sa police service during sang
recruit days pag apply ko, uhm…20%
sang quota is for women so, sokung
meaning 80% sang amon nga daw,
sang batch sang recruit is for men na
siya and 20% is for women so amo na
siya. So ang buot silingon silingon sina
mostly ang women is designed for
office personel, sa diri sa WCPD kay
syempre ang WCPD ya nga office na
design gid ya for women, so amo na
siya.”
Well... Definitely gender bias and
stereotype
Women may experience discrimination
or harassment in the workplace which
can create an unwelcoming or hostile
environment.
“As a woman software engineer in a
male-dominated industry, self-
assessment involves evaluating my
technical expertise, problem-solving
 28

abilities, and industry knowledge. It

also entails reflecting on my
professional growth, accomplishments,
and continuous learning efforts.
Additionally, I consider my resilience
in navigating challenges, overcoming
biases, and adapting to the
environment. I assess my involvement
in mentorship or leadership roles, the
strength of my professional network,
and the impact I've made. Confidence
in my abilities and a positive self-
perception are essential aspects of self-
assessment. Moreover, I recognize the
importance of challenging gender
biases, breaking barriers, and serving
as a role model to inspire and empower
other women in the field.”

The information presented in the matrix above highlights the contrasting physical

capabilities between men and women. It acknowledges that there are tasks or activities that

men are able to perform which women cannot, and vice versa. Furthermore, the matrix

suggests that gender biases in the workplace persist to this day, as women continue to

encounter preconceived misconceptions and unfair treatment. It underscores the fact that

women can face certain harsh actions or negative perceptions due to their gender.

Based on the results of the data gathered by the researchers, it indicates that these

disparities in physical abilities have a noticeable impact in the workplace, as certain jobs have

specific requirements that only one gender can fulfill. Consequently, this distinction limits the

ability of individuals from one gender to fully showcase their capabilities. Broadly speaking,

the respondents stated that there exists a disparity in physical capabilities between genders,

with certain tasks being feasible for one gender but not for the other.

According to Tharwani (2022), In society, it is generally accepted that men are better

suited for a variety of tasks. Fun fact: People tend to believe that men are better at the jobs
 29

that pay the most. Incomes decline as a result of this discrimination. Women put in greater

hours at work yet are paid less.

Another study conducted in St. Catherine University (2022) has shown relevance in

the result of the study conducted by the researchers. It emphasizes the biases towards women

in the workplace stating that another result of this “woman’s work” stereotype is that women

who pursue careers as skilled workers frequently have to meet higher educational standards

than their male counterparts. In a survey of over 30,000 workers published in Yale Insights,

women had a 14% lower annual chance of promotion than men.

According to Leary (2020), Male and female biological makeup is different. True.

They also have fundamentally different physical and mental traits as a result of their varied

biologist. True? Not at all. Women are more sensitive, less aggressive, and physically weaker

than men. They also perform math more poorly. Despite the widespread belief, all of these

facts have been significantly exaggerated despite being scientifically validated.

 30

Matrix 3: BUILDING RELATIONSHIP

Theme Results of the Interview Generalization

Women encounter “Women may face various when It is clear in the response of the
difficulties in it comes to building professional participant that building a
establishing relationships networks. relationship and connecting in
within male-dominated a male-dominated field is hard.
social activities. “Male dominated social activities
or exclusive gatherings can make
it harder for women to connect
and build relationships.”

“By managing your time well,

you can avoid procrastination,
stay organized and maintain a
healthy work life balance.”

The depicted matrix above highlights the challenges faced by women in male-dominated

fields, particularly emphasizing the significance of building relationships to connect with

others. Within a workplace where men hold the majority, women encounter difficulties in

establishing connections and forging relationships.

The research data gathered by the researchers notably emphasizes the struggles

experienced by female participants in the industry, specifically regarding their ability to

connect with others in social settings within male-dominated fields. The participants'

responses reflect their personal experiences and understanding of the obstacles they face. In

general, they expressed that, social gatherings centered around work, which are

predominantly attended by men, present a formidable environment for women to connect and

cultivate relationships within the industry.

According to Roebuck (2022), Building relationships at work can help you feel liberated,

motivated, and at ease. Your staff will be more confident and driven if they feel at ease

around you and with one another. It takes more than just being best friends with your

coworkers or colleagues to develop relationships at work. In order to ensure that you respect

and value one another, it is important to establish social and personal connections.
 31

Matrix 4: LOVE AND PASSION FOR THEIR JOB

Theme Results of the Interview Generalization

The passion and “Ari naman ya as a PCR PNCO, the feeling In Men-dominated fields love
love that women nga ara balang connected ka sa community and passion for their job
have for their kay more pa PCR mas more ka nga ga deal prevails among women,
job empower sa community kag sa tawo. So, dapat whatever might be their job or
them to kabalo ka makibagay and kabalo ka bala even if it meant entering the
overcome the uhm... ang mga ginahambal na bala nila men-dominated field.
obstacles that nga kabalo ka mag public speaking,
comes along magtubang sa tawo, so amo na siya. Sa
with it. una, medyo may fear, kumbaga hambal
kuno nila stage fright. Pero as time passes
by nga nasanay kana, daw wala naman
lang, daw masanay kana mag tubang sa
mga tawo.”

“Uhm effective, kung sakon lang, siguro

patriotism. Love mo ang country, love mo
ang people, and also you love your job.”

“ So dapat if uhmm mag decide man gid

kamo mag join sa amon nga organization
uhmm my advice is... that you should love
your job ok. Not because amo nisya ang
aton amo ni ga hatag saton kwarta,
finances,maka bayad sa aton mga bills or
ano. Pero aside from that, the most
important is dapat palangga mo imo ubra,
regardless man kung indi sa PNP or sa
other nga profession ha, dapat palanggaon
naton aton ubra kay kung indi matak-an ta
sa aton ubra.”

“Enjoyable, siempre hard, uhh nag start gid

man tanan sa hard, pero, pero nag e-enjoy
naman. Usually with your workmates,
parang ano lang eh, ma eenjoy mo nalang
ang work as long as you love your job.
That’s it.”

“Moreover, I had a strong desire to explore

new horizons and develop versatility in my
career, even if it meant entering a male-
dominated industry”

“This job aligns directly with my

aspirations, offering the necessary
 32

knowledge, experience and skill

development to advance in my career.”

“By passion and interest. I’ve always had a

keen interest in the Mechanical
Engineering field. The subject matter and
work involved truly excite me. I am
genuinely passionate about renewable
energy and sustainable”

“The experience was not only

professionally rewarding but also a
testament to the hard work and dedication
our team put into the project. It was a
defining moment that highlighted the
impact of our efforts and the value we
provided to our clients.”

The matrix above presents information asserting that love and passion to women is a

way of coping to stride in their workplaces as biases is reigning till now.

Based on the findings shown in the matrix above, it was prominent in the responses of

participants how love and passion motivates them to work even more stating that love your

job and be passionate about it whatever the reason is and even if it meant for them to enter

the men-dominated field and come across difficulties in differences for the reason that their

love is the one that prevails. For these individuals, their love for their work acts as a driving

force. The participant stated their response according to their own experience while working

in a certain workplace such as men-dominated. In general, they said that love your job even if

it’s hard, because the more you love your job the less you get irritated and the more you have

fun.

According to McGinley (2022), When you enjoy your work, you don't see it as a burden

on your time; rather, you see it as something you choose to do. You actually choose to do it,

and it makes you feel quite satisfied.


Another study conducted in the University of California (2023) indicates that passion not
only drives people to enjoy their work, but helps in overcoming obstacles in the workplace as
well. Anytime people hit a bump in the road or begin to doubt their abilities, remember the
positive effects of their work.
Matrix 5: RESILIENCE
Theme
All participants share a
common coping mechanism,
which involves
acknowledging the existence
of gender biases against
women and maintaining
resilience in the face of
adversity.
33
Results of the Interview Generalization
“May mga times na feeling Although women may face
mo discriminated ka pero difficulties as their
ano, uhh, be strong lang workplace display negative
gid.” work environment, their
resilience continue to prevail
“By taking a step back and
enabling them to stride.
reflecting, I prevent my
emotions from controlling
me in situations where I
have control.”
“Additionally, I consider my
resilience in navigating
challenges, overcoming
biases, and adapting to the
environment.”
“Never allow fear to hinder
you from pursuing your
dreams. Break free from the
confines that society may
impose based on your
gender, and instead embrace
the boundless opportunities
available to you.”
“Believe in your abilities
and talents, and never let
anyone undermine your
worth or potential. Be
relentless in your pursuit of
knowledge, unafraid to
challenge societal norms and
limitations.”
“As Eleanor Roosevelt once
said, "No one can make you
 34

feel inferior without your

consent."

The information presented in the matrix above is to give a thorough examination of

woman’s dedication in their work at a men-dominated field.

Based on the result of the data gathered, although experiencing unfavorable events

like discrimination, inferiority, and societal norms, they stayed strong and persevered,

enabling them to survive in a volatile workplace environment. As one of the respondents said,

despite how she felt discriminated by the bias perception of their workplace, nonetheless she

stayed strong and kept on moving forward even in the face of adversity as their dedication to

their job reign in them allowing them to be resilient and stride in their workplace.

In a study conducted by Spell-Hansson (2023), the data of the study states that to

survive and succeed in the complex, rapidly changing local and global environments, rapidly

changing job configurations and downsizing, and external shocks like the pandemic that

uprooted millions of workers and made millions more work from home, resilience has

become an increasingly crucial skill for employees. Resilience is a crucial skill for workers to

withstand unfavorable workplace interactions, particularly those brought on by racial, gender,

and other forms of discrimination. Although the majority of experts concur that resilience is

the capacity to learn and advance in the face of adversity, the fundamental mechanism by

which resilience is formed is still unclear.

 35

MATRIX 6: WHEN A CHALLENGE BECAME AN ADVANTAGE

Theme Results of the Interview Generalization

The challenges that are “.…. I think this is the right The challenges faced by
faced by women brought a job for me, kay teh, uhh women in male-dominated
diverse and advantageous medyo layo sya sa course ko work environments can
qualities in personal and gid ya subong pero para sometimes turn into
professional pursuits, sakon right job sya kay it is advantages or strengths,
enabling allowing them to where i am comfortable gd depending on how they are
navigate obstacles, take and daw diri na ko naglearn navigated and harnessed.
risks, and push beyond how to grow with myself”
limitations.
“may mga bagay na maobra
ang boy nga indi maobra sng
girl, kg may mga bagay man
na maobra sang girl nga indi
maobra sang boy, nature
nana sang tawo eh”
“Overcoming challenges in
a male dominated field has
provided women in Mec-
Mechanical Engineering
with the sense of personal
fulfillment in a drive to
break barriers.”
“Whenever I encounter
challenges, I have developed
a coping mechanism that
involves taking some time
for myself. I find it essential
to engage in self-reflection,
allowing me to gather my
thoughts and focus on
finding ways to improve and
make informed decisions.
By taking a step back and
reflecting, I prevent my
emotions from controlling
me in situations where I
have control.”
“Uhmmm advantage hahaha
(laughing) oo so kay sa ano
lang yaha for example lang
sa bi patrol namon. Kita nyo
na ang mga police officer
 36

nga ara sa dalan? pero may

mga nakita man ko nga
female, pero mostly ang
mga ga bit partol or gapainit
or ara dala is uhmm male, so
amo na so daw medyo
advantage sa amon nga as
female kay ara lang kami sa
office gapa aircon. Indi man
nga wala kami ga gwa, ga
gwa man kami a, pero ari
lang kami sa office, male
mostly gina butang sasa
gwa.”
“ano gah, accepted naman
ang challenges. Na, ok
naman lang siya, na accept
mo naman sa ulihi pero,
siempre learn to accept
nalang kung ano man ang
challenges. That's the nature
of man vs. woman.”
“uhhh, cope ano, be strong
lang permi. May mga times
na feeling mo discriminated
ka pero ano, uhh, be strong
lang gid. Kay wla na, tapos
ano wala kanaman control sa
mga bagay na hindi mo
hawak bala haw, so go with
the flow naman lang.”

“By taking a step back and

reflecting, I prevent my
emotions from controlling
me in situations where I
have control.”

The information presented in the matrix above is to provide a comprehensive

understanding of the challenges faced by women, which in turn have nurtured diverse and

advantageous qualities, empowering them in both personal and professional pursuits. These
 37

women have exemplified exceptional resilience and adaptability, allowing them to navigate

through numerous obstacles with grace and determination. Their ability to take risks and

embrace change allowed them to go beyond what society expects of them. They have broken

through barriers and created new opportunities for success.

Based on the data gathered by the researchers, it emphasizes the experiences and

perspectives of individuals in different contexts, emphasizing the impact of challenges on

women's personal and professional growth. The first statement illustrates how a woman

recognizes the importance of finding the right job that aligns with her comfort and personal

growth, even if it deviates from her academic background. The second statement

acknowledges the inherent differences between genders but emphasizes that certain tasks may

be better suited for either gender, highlighting the diverse qualities each gender brings to

various situations. The third statement specifically focuses on women in the male-dominated

field of Mechanical Engineering, highlighting how overcoming challenges in this context

provides them with a sense of personal fulfillment and motivates them to break barriers. The

fourth statement highlights the coping mechanism developed by an individual woman,

emphasizing the significance of self-reflection and emotional control in dealing with

challenges. Lastly, the fifth statement sheds light on the disadvantages faced by women in

certain professions, such as law enforcement, where they may be limited to office-based roles

while male counterparts are assigned field duties. These statements collectively depict how

women face unique challenges but possess qualities that enable them to navigate and excel in

diverse settings.

According to De Lyz (2022), encountering adversity is not only unavoidable but also

essential if we strive to reach our fullest potential. That being said, as women experiences

challenges in their workplace, they develop qualities that makes them resilient. By striving

and moving forward allows them to be a better worker and also a person. Although, their job
 38

may make unfavorable environment for them, the hurdles is what makes them stronger,

braver and better.

The study conducted by Shaista Khilji and Kelly Pumroy (2018) aligns with the

current findings that women who face challenges in various aspects of their lives develop

unique qualities and perspectives that provide them with an advantage in navigating

obstacles, taking risks, and surpassing limitations. The study specifically focused on how

women navigate gendered social and organizational norms to develop their careers. The

findings of the study revealed that women employ three distinct coping strategies in order to

overcome these challenges. These are conforming to play by the rules, negotiating to play

around the rules, and defying to establish their own rules.

By conforming to play by the rules, women adapt to and navigate the gendered social

and organizational norms that exist in their environments. This strategy allows them to work

within the existing framework and find ways to advance their careers while adhering to

societal expectations. Negotiating to play around the rules involves finding creative ways to

navigate the gendered norms and expectations. Women who employ this strategy seek

alternative paths and approaches to overcome obstacles and advance in their careers. They

challenge traditional expectations and find innovative solutions to reach their goals. Defying

to establish their own rules is a strategy where women consciously challenge and push

against the existing norms and expectations. They assert their agency and carve out their own

paths, redefining what success means to them and creating their own rules for career

advancement.

The researchers emphasize that the ways in which the participants arrived at and

enacted these coping strategies reflect their strength, forethought, and self-directedness. The

study highlights the participants' high self-concept and their ability to learn and adapt,
 39

showcasing their resilience and determination. Overall, the study of Shaista Khilji and Kelly

Pumroy provides valuable insights into the ways women navigate their careers and overcome

challenges. It reinforces the idea that women's experiences and resilience can contribute to

their success in navigating obstacles, taking risks, and surpassing limitations in various

aspects of their lives.

 40

Chapter V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATION

This chapter presents an overview of the previous chapters. Additionally, it

includes the conclusions that the research study's findings led to. It also includes

recommendations based from the result of the findings of the study conducted.

Summary

This phenomenological study particularly scrutinize the life of Women in a Male-

dominated Field regarding their experiences and challenges in relation to their job. The data

was gathered through a semi-structured interview with (4) female participant, focusing on

their viewpoints, experiences, and difficulties in regards to their job. The data acquired was

examined and summarized in (5) themes, tables were used to enable precise comprehension

and data analysis.The findings are summarized as follows:

The first theme, Balancing time becomes a challenge for women when it comes to

both work and family responsibilities.

The second theme, Gender bias is evidently seen in the workplace especially with the

differences in physical capabilities between men and women.

The third theme, Women encounter difficulties in establishing relationships within

male-dominated social activities.

The fourth theme, The passion and love that women have for their job empower them

to overcome the obstacles that comes along with it.

The fifth theme, The foundation of women's perseverance in their workplace lies in

their resilience and acceptance.

 41

Lastly, the sixth theme, The challenges that are faced by women brought a diverse

and advantageous qualities in personal and professional pursuits, enabling allowing them to

navigate obstacles, take risks, and push beyond limitations.

Conclusion

This section concentrated on establishing conclusions from the research questions by

examining the participants' live experiences, as they pertained to our study titled "Bleeding

Pink; Women in Men-dominated".

The goal of this study's conclusion was to create a connection between the answers to

the key research questions and the viewpoints, experiences, perspectives, challenges, and

coping mechanisms of Women working in male-dominated fields that are relevant to our

study.

The study's key conclusions focused on the lived experiences of women working in

fields with a predominance of men. The study's participants' importance as contributors was

greatly influenced by the difficulties they faced and how they overcame them to promote

teamwork in their workplace.

The following are the conclusions based on the findings of the study:

On the Statement of the Problem (SOP) 1, working in man's work is not easy. Women

have a very tough time building relationships and partnerships in industries where men

prevail. By emphasizing how difficult it is to establish a network in fields where males

predominate, it is noteworthy that it draws attention to the difficulties experienced by women

in the industry.

On the Statement of the Problem (SOP) 2, It is evidently seen that women faces

various struggles in the men dominated field. It's crucial to see that These difficulties develop

as a result of gender disparities and societal norms. Women in these workplaces face various
 42

problems, including limited prospects for promotion and leadership roles, as well as gender

bias and discrimination. Not only do women face difficulties in the workplace, but they also

face challenges in managing their time for work and for their personal lives because their

work demands require full focus. Despite these challenges, women keep on moving forward

even in the face of adversity as their dedication to their job reigns in them, allowing them to

be resilient and stride in their workplace.

On the Statement of the problem (SOP) 3, It was clearly , how love and enthusiasm

inspire women working in male-dominated fields to work harder as a way to cope with the

difficulty that comes along with it. With the advice to "love your job and be passionate about

it regardless of any reason."Their passion is a result of their intense commitment to their

work or place of employment, as well as their personal investment in and motivation by its

mission.

On the Statement of the problem (SOP) 4,Although women in men dominated fields

experience certain obstacles in the workplace, it is commendable to witness how females stay

strong in the face of gender biases and discrimination. The foundation of women’s

perseverance in the workplace lies within their resilience and acceptance. Work becomes

more than just a career; it becomes a passion that women wholeheartedly embrace. It

provides women motivation and opportunities to continue whilst there are still preconceived

notions and unfair treatment in the workplace.

Recommendation

In accordance with the findings of the study, we have identified several

recommendations aiming to potentially benefit society.

The researchers suggest that the Department of Labor and Employment should

provide equal opportunities for men and women. Particularly for women to expand and
 43

enhance their capabilities. Thus, women should be allowed to receive comprehensive training

on par with men’s.

The researchers highly recommend women to participate in organizations and social

groups such as The Philippines Commission on women (PCW) that foster a culture of

diversity and gender equality, ensuring that women's perspectives are respected and heard, to

address the difficulties women faced in establishing relationships within male dominated

social activities.

Furthermore, to build a strong foundation in their chosen work field, women should

stimulate passion and work commitment.

To empower students by building resilience and self-confidence, the researchers

suggest that they should reflect on their own interest, considering their passions, strengths,

and long term goals.

To the future researchers, this study would serve as a guide for identifying areas for

further exploration, such as impacts of gender bias and strategies to enhance work-life

balance, better support women in men dominated fields.

 44

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APPENDIX A:

LETTER TO THE CONVERSATION PARTNERS

 46

Conversation Participant B:
 47

Conversation Participant C:
48
49
 50

APPENDIX B:

GOOD AND SCATES VALIDATION FORM

VALIDATOR A
51
 52

VALIDATOR B
53
54
 55

VALIDATOR C
56
57
58
 59

APPENDIX C:
 60

INTERVIEW GUIDE
61
 62

APPENDIX D:

DOCUMENTATION OF DATA GATHERING

63
 64

CURRICULUM VITAE

Chiva Catubig
Amolo

Date of Birth: 20th of March 2006

Contact Number: 09398290611
Email Address: amolo.chivamarie@gmail.com

Research interests:
Intersectional Feminism
Global Feminism
Justice and Social Change
Gender Equality

Education:
E. J. Garcia Elementary School (S.Y. 2012-2018)
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2018-2022)
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2022- Present)

Academic Achievements:
With Honors Awardee
E.J. Garcia Elementary School (S.Y. 2012-2018)
With Honors Awardee
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2018-2022)
With Honors Awardee
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2022- Present)
 65

Shanna Dale
Dela Torre

Date of Birth: 29th of August 2005

Contact Number: 09197426403
Email Address: shannadaled@gmail.com

Research interests:
Social Issues
Social Sciences and Psychology
Genetic Engineering

Education:
Education and Training Center School 1 (S.Y. 2012-2018)
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2018-2022)
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2022-Present)

Academic Achievements:
With Honors Awardee
Education and Training Center School 1 (S.Y. 2012-2018)
With High Honors Awardee
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2018-2022)
With Honors Awardee
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2022-Present)
 66

Kennah Garde
Jimenez

Date of Birth: 3rd of January 2006

Contact Number: 09851399866
Email Address: jimenezkennah@gmail.com

Research interests:
Social Issues
Feminism
Experimental Psychology
Medical Research

Education:
Banago Elementary School I (S.Y. 2012-2018)
Domingo Lacson High School (S.Y. 2018-2022)
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2022-Present)

Academic Achievements:
With High Honors Awardee
Banago Elementary School I (S.Y. 2012-2018)
With High Honors Awardee
Domingo Lacson High School (S.Y. 2018-2022)
With High Honors Awardee
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2022-Present)
 67

Kith Tubis Labiga

Date of Birth: 4th of January 2005

Contact Number: 09055674822
Email Address: kithlabiga@gmail.com

Research interests:
Social Issues
Social Sciences and Psychology
Medical Research
Genetic Engineering

Education:
Moises Padilla Elementary School (S. Y 2012-2018)
Guinpanaan National High School Pob. Ext. (S. Y 2018-2022)
Negros Occidental High School ( S. Y 2022- Present)

Academic Achievements:
With Honors Awardee
Moises Padilla Elementary School (S. Y 2012-2018)
With High Honors Awardee
Guinpanaan National High School Pob. Ext. (S. Y 2018-2022)
With Honors Awardee
Negros Occidental High School ( S. Y 2022- Present)
 68

Trexie Faith
Cabugnason Melliza

Date of Birth: 27th of February 2006

Contact Number: 09167476547
Email Address: mellizatrexie@gmail.com

Research interests:
Biotechnology
Psychology
Genetic Engineering
Quantum Mechanics

Education:
Andres Bonifacio Elementary School II (S.Y. 2012-2018)
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2018-2022)
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2022-Present)

Academic Achievements:
With Honors Awardee
Andres Bonifacio Elementary School II (S.Y. 2012-2018)
With Honors Awardee
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2018-2022)
With Honors Awardee
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2022-Present)
 69

Aliyah Wayne
Sun

Date of Birth: 27th of June 2006

Contact Number: 09466433370
Email Address: aliyahwaynesun@gmail.com

Research interests:
Medical
Biology
Personal experience
Implementations

Education:
Rizal Elementary School (S.Y. 2012-2018)
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2018-2022)
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2022-Present)

Academic Achievements:
With Honors Awardee
Rizal Elementary School (S.Y. 2012-2018)
With High Honors Awardee
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2018-2022)
With Honors Awardee
Negros Occidental High School (S.Y. 2022-Present)
 70

The INQUIRERS
11 STEM-HOPE

June, 2023