Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Esmaeel Balali ¹
• Mones Sayyah ²
• Seyyedeh Fatemeh Mohebbi ³

¹ Associate Professor of Sociology at Bu Ali Sina University

² Assistant Professor at Sharif University

³ PhD Student of Social Problems of Iran at Tehran Markaz Azad University

Abstract

Gender as one of the social and cultural determinant factors, affects many dimensions of women including their occupation and can affect  the types of male and female jobs. Nowadays, gender segregation of jobs in Iran is gradually being removed. Nevertheless, social policy making in this subject needs scientific studies. It seems necessary to take advantage of qualitative methods. In this qualitative study using focus group discussions, views of  19 women and family experts  about the phenomenon of women presence in occupations and its reasons were questioned and discussed. The findings and thematic analysis showed three types of views including: supporters,  opponents and intermediate. Individual and communicative capability elevation, economic and social justice realization are mensioned as positive implications of women entering  male jobs. In some experts’ views, seperation of women jobs prevents their talent development, strengthens gender beliefs in society and economic-gender imbalance. But opponents of women entering  male jobs see this entrance as equivalent to women distancing from women world, identity and personality imbalance, physical and mental exhaustion, reduction of marriage opportunity, sexual and ethical insecurity and male social reactions.   

Keywords

• male jobs
• female jobs
• gender division of labour
• Qualitative study

Main Subjects

• Sociology