New British research shows that men who do "women's work" get more respect than their female counterparts. Male nurses, teachers and child care providers say they're taken more seriously, have better relationships with their supervisors and are given more kudos than women.
Ruth Simpson, who carried out in-depth interviews with 30 men about their jobs, said: "Women are definitely losing the gender war in the caring professions. While the caring performed by a woman is often devalued as a 'natural' part of femininity, the emotional labour performed by men is often seen as an asset."
Men in these professions did encounter pockets of resistance from female colleagues, but were generally made welcome. Dr Simpson commented: "Women are more accepting of men moving into non-traditional jobs than men. Women in male-dominated jobs have to encounter a huge amount of sexism and barriers."
The research was culled from a pretty tiny sample, but I think it rings true. Women who make their living caring for children and the sick are seen as doing their nurturing duty. Men who do the same are heroes.
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I totally agree with your last statement. You should see stay at home moms fawn over stay at home dads in playgroups. Though I do think these men have trouble with other men and face extra barriers when they return to work.
And, I noticed that male day-care workers seems to climb the heirarchy faster to become supervisors etc.
Male day care workers can also get away with being irresponsible fucktards who let kids chase down moles with sticks and crawl around in creeks. Not that I'm speaking from personal experience.
Supervisors and parents alike always drool over a man who is willing to be paid to let kids crawl around on him while the women have diaper changing and cleaning up vomit duty. It is so obnoxious.
I'm guilty of making this problem worse. I've definitely gone overboard praising men for doing domestic work in order to get them to do it again. Damn that behavioralist psych!
The good news is that as more men join in as caregivers,it will be difficult to raise their pay without raising everyone's pay.
I expect that's why they get promoted so fast, the boss can't standing paying them women's wages for such extraordinary work. Gag.
Funny, I always assume male teachers and nurses are out of the loop and don't know what the heck is going on. A different brand of sexism I guess.