A Survey to Assess the Impact of Gender on Vocation selection among Urban Women

 

Dr. Kushal De¹, Shruti Sinha²

¹Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Dhruba Chand Halder College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

²Independent Researcher.

 

ABSTRACT:

The paper is based on an empirical survey made by the authors to assess the impact of gender on vocation selection among urban women. For the purpose of the study, a representative sample of 100 working women were interviewed using a self-designed questionnaire. The analysed results show that gender has a significant impact on career choices of women and a patriarchal concept on gender role is observed. The respondents though financially independent, abide by their so called primary gendered responsibility. Their personal, social and marital obligations too are deeply influenced by gender. Women surveyed have problems adjusting to their dual roles and misbalance between them sometimes leads to situation where women may have to sacrifice one (work) for the sake of other (family). Desire of working in flexible hours, not enough time for family after work, thought of quitting the job for domestic obligations, etc. prove beyond doubt that the respondents are not very comfortable in role adjustments. Career is secondary in life of most working women surveyed as they would not relocate to another place for a better position and they would not even get their family support in such a scenario. It can be clearly seen from the study that gender becomes the biggest impediment in vocation selection even among educated urban women.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Vocation choice implies selection of occupation by a person according to efficiency, education, training or expertise. Proper selection of vocation leads to happy, successful and joyous life, whereas, wrong selection of vocation leads to boredom, tension, anxiety, stresses, depression and frustration. There are numerous factors that affects choice of vocation, primary among them being society, family background, parent’s occupation, education, training, interest, aptitude, risk bearing capacity, perceived social prestige of the job, gender role modeling, etc. It is also accepted that gender of an individual influences their behavior, attitude and even career related choices.

 

From an early age, toys are provided to children keeping gender in mind. Boys are given cars, trucks or toy guns on the one hand conditioning their role expectations, and on the other hand, girls are given dolls and kitchen set to play thereby turning them sociable and sensitive. The images in the textbook, shows doctors to be males and nurses to be female. When they grow up as adolescents, they try to fit in the image built up so far and anything which is not at par with their gender role expectation is considered as negative to do or difficult to be achieved. Gender stereotypes have deeply rooted itself in the Indian society. Sometimes this stereotyping by society limits and restricts the options available to women. There are certain roles which women themselves feel that they are unsuitable to fit in. Men are encouraged to pursue career in science, engineering, mathematics etc. whereas women are encouraged into social and artistic/creative areas. Knowingly or unknowingly, this puts a backlog in the minds of women and they prefer not to choose male dominated careers. The gender role and performance which they observe in families and society also influences their career selection. Under this backdrop, the present paper tries to analyse the impact of gender on vocation selection among urban women from a representative sample of 100 working women employed in and around Kolkata. 

 

REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

Study by Michie and Nelson¹ (2006) determined the perceptions that men and women have towards IT careers. Their sample included students pursuing MBA or IT management degree. The results showed males had greater self-efficacy for IT occupations and greater passion for computers as compared to females.

 

Hadjar and Aeschlimann² (2015) shows that girls often choose ‘female’ related services/professions and boys choose careers related to science, technology engineering or mathematics. The data was collected from students aged 14-15 belonging from two-parent families. Structural equation models using analysis of two dependent dichotomous variables were used. The study revealed ‘there are links between gender stereotypes and vocational aspirations.’

 

In the study by Mendez and Crawford³ (2002), the sample had 227 students (95 boys and 132 girls reading in grades 6-8 and aged 11-14). The data was collected by means of simple questionnaire. It was concluded that boys aspire to careers that are male dominated, high in education and carrying high prestige. On the other hand, girls aspire to careers which including both male and female and options of dominance were less.

 

The study of Sikora and Pokropek⁴ (2011) is based on survey data provided by PISA 2006, containing an extended module devoted to science performance, students attitudes towards science as well as their perceptions of the value of science, including its desirability as ones future career. The results reveal that for girls socio-cultural professions are much appealing and ‘expect to work in higher status jobs than boys’. Boys are not attracted by careers in health services.

 

Study by Ji et al.⁵ (2004) collected data from 334 students on factors like level of self-efficacy, career interest and occupational sex-typing. The result showed that males generally prefer realistic occupations which are taken as masculine in nature. On the other hand, females prefer artistic and social professions which are taken as feminine.

 

In the last few decades, the women employment rate has increased in Bangladesh and Tofa⁶ (2017) conducted a survey on women aging between 23-30 years. Exploratory research method was used by the researcher to find out major factors behind choosing of career among women. It was concluded that very few women were career oriented while majority were confused to prioritize between family and career. Many families do not accept a working daughter in law and discourage them from being independent. In few last decades, the women employment rate has increased in Bangladesh but is very less when compared at the global scale.

 

Study by Kapur⁷ (1947) shows that there are some problems experienced by working women. These problems can be segregated as environmental problems, social problems and psychological problems. It arises mainly due to pressure at work place and home.

 

According to Bowman⁸ (1954), a working woman has to perform different roles as per the demand. When the roles start competing between themselves and the woman is unable to switch freely from one role to another, there arises conflict. The role expectations are not in harmony. This adds to her trouble and increases exhaustion, thereby becoming a source for role conflict.

 

Bhadury and Mukherjee⁹ (2015) reveals that even though women have started entering fields like IT, marketing and banking sectors apart from teaching and nursing services, their traditional roles remain indifferent. They have the capability of becoming a homemaker and professional worker, by taking responsibility of family and organization respectively. Besides these, there are numerous challenges faced by them. Obstacles like pressure from family, societal resistances, gender discrimination at work place and harassment etc. puts a break on her growth and lowers the enthusiasm to work.

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

Based on the review of literature, it is found that no empirical study has been carried out in the City of Kolkata, targeting specifically women, to analyse the impact of gender on vocation selection. The primary objectives of the study are the following:

a)   To find effect of gender on career decisions of women,

b)   To survey the perception of women on gender roles stereotypes,

c)   To analyse if dual role of working women has any impact on their careers.

 

DATA AND METHODOLOGY:

For the purpose of the study, 100 working women were selected in and around the city of Kolkata, who belonged to different vocational areas. The survey was conducted during March-April 2020. The survey instrument was a closed ended questionnaire containing questions relevant to the issue of study. Due to COVID-19, lockdown of the nation was announced by the Honorable Prime Minister of India. Thus, face to face interview was not possible and survey was conducted by the researcher over phone and the data was obtained. The sample was such drawn that women of different age group and vocations come under the purview of the study. Confidentiality of the data was ensured to the respondents. The collected data was tabulated in MS-Excel, analysed and meaningful inferences were drawn.

 

Findings from the survey:

Demographic Profile and Details of Sample (N= 100)

 

Major Observations:

Statement on Vocation Selection due to Influence of Gender or Family:

 

Statement on Gender Role Perception:

 

Gender Role Stereotype as observed-

 

Gendered Perceptions about Different Vocations-

 

 

DISCUSSION:

The observations are discussed under the primary heads chosen for the purpose of this study. The major results and their interpretation are as follows:

 

1. Vocation selection due to influence of gender or family:

It is found from the survey that gender becomes an impediment in vocation selection among women even in the 21^st century. Most respondents (79%) choose a career that is easily performable by women. Gender was the primary barrier in carrier choice (25%) and many (19%) did not even receive any support from their families while making such choice. This resulted in adverse choices and such is admitted by 25% of the respondents. This result confers to study made by Hadjar and Aeschlimann (2015). 37% of the sample had to change their preferred career option due to their parent’s influence and most (67%) themselves never thought of getting into a male dominated vocational area. This result is similar to findings of Sikora and Pokropek (2011) and Tofa (2017). Many (43%) know that the society does not have a positive approach towards their career choice and 27% even said that their jobs would not offer them growth in future but they are compelled to continue with their jobs.

 

2. Vocation selection due to perception about Gender Role:

The selected sample had 76% married respondents and 68% of the total respondents, at some point of time, got into a situation where they thought of quitting their job in order to manage family obligations. More than half the sample (54%) admits that they do not get enough time to balance their family and work. Similar observations are made by Bowman (1954) and Kapur (1947). This issue can be perfectly managed if the husband stays at home to look after the family affairs while the wife earns but 63% do not find the concept of house husbands correct. Almost the entire sample (92%) looks for mandatory flexible working hours which till date are a distant dream. Only 30% of the sample can relocate to fulfill their professional commitments and 69% of the respondent’s family would not agree to relocate with them. Thus, to save the family, career takes a backseat. Similar results are found by De¹⁰ (2012).

 

3.  Gender role stereotype as observed:

Perception of gender role stereotype is vividly found from the survey as most of the respondents feel that it is the responsibility of women to fulfill domestic obligations like cooking, washing clothes/utensils and house dusting. She must look after the development and nutritional requirement of an infant. According to the majority, it is husband’s responsibility to purchase household articles and to perform banking or other official work.

 

Jobs are gendered in the minds of respondents as few vocations are deemed to be exclusively for males and few women would themselves not choose them. Instances found as dominantly male profession from the survey are army officer posted in Kashmir (92%), bus driver (86%), miners working in coal mines (93%), security personnel (90%), agriculture and forestry (79%), delivery services (82%). Instances found as dominantly female profession from the survey are pre-primary teacher (92%), personal secretary of a CEO (76%), front-desk services (89%), babysitting services (92%) and designing and creative work (83%). When further enquired regarding the paucity of women in some male dominated vocations, the main causes behind this, as narrated by the respondents, is that women are physically not so strong, not good with machines and do not understand mechanical work so well; they are sensitive, vulnerable and also easy to be influenced.

 

CONCLUDING REMARKS:

Patriarchal concept on gender role is observed from the survey. The respondents though financially independent, abide by their so called primary gendered responsibility. This study detected the gender role stereotyping while making career choices. While choosing career/jobs for themselves, gender has a significant impact on women. Some had to adjust according to their parent’s decision, continue with non-growth providing job while some had to deliberately choose a job that could be easily performed by women.

 

Women surveyed have problems adjusting to their dual roles and misbalance between them can lead to situation where women may have to sacrifice one (work) for the sake of other (family). Desire of working in flexible hours, not enough time for family after work, thought of quitting the job for domestic obligations, etc prove beyond doubt that the respondents are not very comfortable in role adjustments. Root cause of this is their perception about gender roles. Women themselves feel that the responsibility of managing family is solely upon them and men should not involve themselves in the household chores. Career is secondary in their life as most would not relocate to another place for a better position and they would not even get their family support in such scenario. Thus, from the survey it can be concluded that gender becomes the biggest impediment in vocation selection even among educated urban women.

 

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:

·       The study was restricted in and around the city of Kolkata (urban centre) only. A larger survey area might give a different picture.

·       The sample selected was only 100 females which is small and negligible when compared to the total population.

·       The survey was carried out in March ending and Mid-April 2020, during the lockdown period. The economy was facing financial crises. A different period might had given different results.

·       Interview was done through telephonic conversations. Face to face interviews might have brought minor changes.

·       Many other issues related vocation selection among women was not reflected in the questionnaire used in the survey.

 

In spite of the above limitations, the study makes an honest justice to the research carried out.

 

REFERENCES:

1.     Michie, S. and Nelson, D.L. Barriers women face in information technology careers: Self- efficacy, passion and gender biases. Women in Management Review. 2006; 21(1): 10-27.

2.     Hadjar A. and Aeschlimann, B. Gender stereotypes and gendered vocational aspirations among Swiss secondary school students. Educational Research. 2015; 57(1): 22-42.

3.     Mendez, Linda M.R., Kelly M. Crawford. Gender-role stereotyping and Career Aspirations: A Comparison of Gifted Early Adolescent Boys and Girls. Journal of Secondary Gifted Education. 2002; 13 (1): 96-107.

4.     Sikora, J. and Pokropek, A. Gendered career expectations of students: Perspectives from PISA 2006. OECD Education Working Papers. 2011; 57.

5.     Ji et al. Vocational interests and career efficacy expectations in relation to occupational sex-typing beliefs for eighth grade students. Journal of Career Development. 2004; 31(2): 143-154.

6.     Tofa, A. M. Factors influencing women’s decision to choose their career. Dissertation submitted to Department of Economics and Social Sciences, BRAC University, Accessed on 11/04/2020, http://dspace.bracu.ac.bd/xmlui/handle/10361/ 9356

7.     Kapur, P. The changing status of working women in India. Vikas Publisher. New Delhi. 1947.

8.     Bowman, H. A. Marriage for moderns. McGraw Hill Book, Company, Inc., New York. 1954.

9.     Bhadury, A. and Mukherjee, A.K. The status of Indian workingwomen in present era. International Journal of Science, Technology and Management. 2015; 4(1).

10.  De, K. An Analysis of Patriarchal Control in Kolkata’s Formal Employment Sector. Time’s Journey. 2012; 1(1).

 

 

Accepted on 04.06.2020           ©AandV Publications All right reserved