Men obstructed from entering female-dominated occupations

Authored by liu.se and submitted by mvea
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Job applications from men are disfavoured when they apply for work in female-dominated occupations. Reaching the interview stage was most difficult for men applying for jobs as cleaners. These are the results of a study by researchers from Linköping University and the University of California, Irvine, recently published in the scientific journal PLOS One.

we find considerable discrimination against men in female-dominated occupations”, says Mark Granberg. PeopleImages

“We see that there are obstructions to men entering certain parts of the labour market. In the application process, we don’t see any discrimination against women who want to get into male-dominated occupations. But we find considerable discrimination against men in female-dominated occupations”, says Mark Granberg, doctoral student in economics at Linköping University. The researchers submitted approximately 3,200 fictitious applications to employers around Sweden. For every application the researchers noted whether the fictitious applicant received a response and if so, what the response was. The female-dominated occupations where discrimination against men was observed include nursing, childcare and preschool teaching – and the most disparate treatment was found in applications to house cleaning jobs. However, in male-dominated occupations such as auto mechanics, truck drivers, IT developers and warehouse workers, the researchers saw no discrimination against women.

That men’s applications – not women’s – are eliminated in the application process is interesting. We already know that women are disadvantaged in the labour market in terms of salary and promotions. So, the follow-up question is, what happens along the way?

Velihopea on February 26th, 2021 at 02:28 UTC »

I am a male bachelor of socialwork, specialized in pedagogy. I have worked in education, childcare and currently in childprotective services. From my experience, males are in high demand in my field and employers will hire men without much hesitation. There is a gaping need for male rolemodels and father figures when working with children and families. And I know I will never have to worry about finding a job.

The country and it's family structure and culture surrounding upbringing probably have influence over how men are percieved in context of childcare for example, but here in Finland, men and masculinity is definetly appriciated.

pmanie on February 26th, 2021 at 02:23 UTC »

It would be interesting to see a study like this in Canada or the US. I think it could be interesting to see if this also happens here in women dominant work environments. I have experienced this in my workplace so I am curious if I am an outlier or not.

Vitztlampaehecatl on February 26th, 2021 at 00:55 UTC »

In Sweden*

The researchers submitted approximately 3,200 fictitious applications to employers around Sweden.