Women's Socialization into Nontraditional Heavy Work

Issue title: Women at Work

Subtitle: A Case Study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Atwood Sanders, Martha

Affiliations: Quinnipiac College, Hamden, Connecticut

Abstract: An increasing number of opportunities are available for women in nontraditional, blue-collar work. However, for many women the lack of job skills, poor work conditions, differential treatment, shift work, and heavy physical labor deter them from entering or remaining in such jobs. This case study attempted to uncover workplace issues, the socialization process, and adaptive strategies for a female steel worker. Her strategies for survival included hard work, high work standards, “courteous but cool” relationships with coworkers, “standing up” for herself, and good friends or support systems.

Keywords: Case study, Nontraditional work, Adaptive strategies, Sex roles, Return-to-Work, Socialization

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1994-4204

Journal: Work, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 93-102, 1994