WOMEN IN STEREOTYPED MALE DOMINATED PROFESSIONS

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY

For decades women in the Indian society have been occupying an inferior position. They have been the often discriminated and the more stereotyped sex with respect to work outside of home. Things have now changed and gender stereotypes are less pronounced than ever before. Women are no longer held back by societal or familial constraints to tread the unchartered territory. They are actively in the workforce and are now entering professions which have for long been the stronghold of men. Our snapshot study documents this particular phenomena and its facets.

Objectives of the study

To throw light on the change in trends and document the abating of gender-stereotypes at play in the society. To ascertain factors that inspired women to enter professions stereotyped as dominated by men To gain insight into various socio-economic factors that prevail in the work environment, and acknowledge the social support systems for women To understand the challenges faced by women in these fields in order to facilitate the informed entry of young aspirants.

Research Design

Rationale of the Study

The findings of the research survey give a broad view of the prevailing trends of career choices of women, with respect to careers in male-dominated professions. The research gives, not just a study of the current trends, but also calls attention to the problems these women face in their professional lives. The revelations of the study would serve as an inspiration for young women who have the interest and passion to tread the unchartered territory, but as a result of societal expectations and gender stereotypes, lack the confidence walk to road less travelled. The study, apart from being a source of inspiration for young and passionate women, will also broaden the outlook of society and help them realize the importance of nurturing talent of the youth. Giving young women a chance to expose and develop their talents is a dominant factor in contributing to social change.

Methodology

A total of 35 samples were taken for the study. The non-probability methods of snowball sampling and heterogeneity sampling were adopted as the samples required were from varied professions and the samples were not easily available. Apart from snowball sampling, various other means were adopted for collection information from the respondents. Few respondents were approached through already existing acquaintances, while some others were collected with help from the press and media. Contacts were also established with several respondents with help of information provided on the World Wide Web. For formulating the questionnaire, discussions with different people from corporate organizations, educational institutions, research scholars and with other experts were carried out; and the inputs were incorporated and criticisms duly acknowledged.

Source of data
Secondary data collected from newspaper articles, magazines and internet articles serve as a fertile ground for formulating the objectives and scope of the study. This data also helps in applying concepts and theories developed in different research contexts to the concerned area of the study. Primary data collected from the respondents is necessary to meet the set objectives. Primary data for the qualitative phase is obtained by making use of an interview discussion guide and a questionnaire administered to the respondents.

Techniques of data collection

Data was collected primarily with the help of a closeended questionnaire and also with the help of an interview schedule/discussion guide. Questionnaire method was useful as it was cost effective, easy to administer and since it is a snapshot study a moderate response rate is considered satisfactory. Interview method was adopted as it served as a helped getting the respondents views regarding the issue. Interviews were conducted mainly to address the problems the respondents face and to get their perspectives about the drawbacks of the profession. The questionnaire contained primary, secondary, tertiary questions, and statements seeking their level of agreement with it.

Statistical Findings

Distribution of respondents by age

20 years or below 3% 21-25 years 26%

Above 40 years 23%

35-40 years 17%

31-35 years 14%

26-30 years 17%

Distribution of respondent's area of expertise

Arts 20% Sports 6% Technical 43%

Manegerial 31%

Distribution of respondents' designation

Middle Management 49% Lower Level Management 6%

Top Management 17%

Technical 28%

Distribution of respondents work experience

Less than 5 years 34%

More than 10 years 46%

5-10 years 20%

Distribution of respondents income per annum

Less than Rs 50,000 14% Rs 50,000Rs1,00,000 6%

More than Rs 3,00,000 52%

Rs2,00,000Rs3,00,000 14%

Rs 1,00,000Rs 2,00,000 14%

Di t i

ti t

f i t th f

t i

Circumstatia l 20%

cci ental % Intentional 74%

Source of inspiration to pursue t e c osen career

Mentor 6% Self 54% Others 11% Family 17%

Women Achievers 9%

Friends 3%

Period during w ic decision to enter t e field was made

During Previous Job 23% Chil hood 14% Middle School 3%

Graduation 23%

Secondary School 37%

Distribution of respondents educational status

Graduate 48%

Secondary Education 3%

Technically Trained 20%

Post Graduate 29%

I was esitant to enter into t is field as it is male-dominated

No 80%

Yes 20%

Formal education's aid to career

Sometimes 20%

No 20%

Yes 60%

Work experience in ot er jobs

Manegerial 9%

No 63%

Yes 37% Others 14% Technical 14%

I am t e first in your family to c oose suc a profession

No 17%

Yes 83%

Reacti

f Parent

Unfavourabl e 11%

Supportive 89%

Work ours

8-12 hours 60%

More than 12 hours 26% 4-8 hours 14%

Family's reaction to time spent at work

Supportive 86%

Uncooperativ e at times 14%

Job training

Basic Training only 97%

Special /Extra Training 3%

Special Consideration Being a Woman in a Male Dominated Field

Flexible Timings 29% Never 51% Sometimes 49% Others 11% Lesser Work Load 9%

Attitudes of t eir male colleagues

Friendly 83%

Unfriendly 3%

Others 17%

Ignorant 11%

As a threat to their work post 3%

Cases of Sexual Harassment of Women in t e field

Oft 12%

Never 54%

Seldom 34%

Views on t eir c ildren taking to male dominated professions

No 9%

Yes 91%

Would you take special efforts to encourage ot er women to follow your footsteps
Yes,if aspirants help see 23% No,I don't find it confortable 6%

Yes , Certain 71%

My c osen profession is a bastion of men

Agree 4 %

Disagree 5%

Others 13%

Strongly Agree 40%

Strongly Disagree 8%

I am provided sufficient support at work by my male counterparts

Agree 60%

Disagree 3%

Other 9%

Strongly Agree 31%

Strongly Disagree 6%

My job performance is on par wit t at of my male counterparts

Agree 23%

Strongly Agree 77%

I am discriminated from my male counterparts in terms of remuneration, appraisal, special benefits, perks, etc.
Disagree 29%

Agree 11% Strongl Agree 3%

Others 86%

Strongl Disagree 57%

I am able to easily balance career and family

Agree 57% Others 11% Disagree 11%

Strongly Agree 32%

Strongly Disagree 0%

List of Respondents

Geetha Vardhan Letika Saran Archana Ramasundaram Jennifer Arul Thamarai Manoramma Radhika Sharath Kumar Janaki Vishwanathan Priya V. Shyamala Alisha Abdullah Megha Kawale Priya Ravichandran

ISRO Director Director Gen. of Police, IPS Addl. Dir. Gen. of Police Managing Editor, NDTV-HINDU Lyricist, Tamil Film Industry Comedian-Actor Managing Director, RADAAN TV National Award Winning Director Director, Tamil Film Industry Passenger Welfare Off., Shipping First Women Racer DJ Divisional Officer, Fire Department

Sukhanya Ramgopal Gowri Soundararajan Babitha Kavitha Akansha Sharma Ranjitha Major Bhavna Diya Kumbera Captain Smitha Renisha Raoof Nidhi Gupta Megha Gupta Shyamala Tara Symond Anittita Celaya

Indias only female Ghattam Artist Photojournalist, NDTV-HINDU Deck Officer, Sailor Third Engineer, Sailor Input Editor, NDTV-HINDU Indian Army Cinematographer Indian Army Basketball Coach, Railways Production Engineer Industrial Relations CIO, Marketing Mechanical Engineer Manufacturing

 Karamjeet Selvi Valli Elamuthu J.

Kaur

Pilot

K. Priya Leema Rose Varsha Varadarajan Sivagami Thamarai

Trainer Auto Driver Bus Conductor Chef, Taj Coromandel Chef, Taj Coromandel Asst. Cameraperson Jayasurya Travels Mechanical Engineer

Recommendations and Suggestions

On the basis of analysis of points culled from the plethora of information collected during the course of the project from women pursuing male-dominated careers, from researchers and other experts, it was found that various issues need to be addressed to ensure that women and men are considered equals in all professions. These suggestions, upon suitable amplification could serve as policy inputs and accelerate growth of women in all fields.

The prime issue that needs to be looked at is to bring the truth about women in non-conventional professions to the common man. The problem lies in the societys perception and attitudes towards women pursuing nontraditional careers. Hence, awareness has to be created about the facts and misconceptions have to be erased from peoples minds A shift in bend of policies and amendments favouring women would encourage more women to pursue maledominated professions. On learning that women are both capable and confident of carrying out the jobs, organizations and other policy makers should provide incentives to encourage more young women to take to such professions

The next important issue of concern is provision of equal growth opportunities for men and women in these professions. Women artistes must be encouraged to be a part of the setting, alongside with men. Organizations that support such fine arts should take initiative to propel women artistes and increase presence of women in the field. Fear of abuse deters young women from taking to nontraditional jobs, resulting in an unbalanced ratio of men to women. Organizations have to thus take steps to enact laws and rules that punish sexual harassment and other forms of abuse.

Done by0712116 - Dhivya S 0712155 - Shushma Reddy P 0712157 - Smriti Nandakumar 0712163 - Sushma U.N 0712168 - Vinitha Sukumar