[LUM#14] Milo, age 7: Why do we see so few women building buildings or repainting houses?
Good question! Are certain professions off-limits to women? No, at least not in France. However, some professions are still rarely chosen by women, particularly, as you saw, Milo, in construction, where 90% of employees are men.
However, some of them would like to see more diversity (the presence of both genders). Others, on the contrary, believe that these are "male" professions. This is called a gender stereotype, which is like images in our heads, or preconceived ideas we have about people that are linked to their gender.
For example, Emile, a construction worker, says: "There are still a lot of heavy objects to carry! For me, that's a barrier to women doing this job." For Martin, a site manager: "Apart from lifting very heavy weights, a woman can do the same tasks as a man."
They forget that there are women who are stronger than some men, such as female wrestlers! And technological advances have led to the development of tools, such as forklifts, to make physical work easier for everyone, including women.
There are also positive stereotypes, as Eric says: "They arrive on time for meetings and are much more rigorous than men." Sometimes it is women themselves who perpetuate prejudices against their own gender!
Their friends and family sometimes try to discourage them from pursuing certain careers, as they themselves are victims of prejudice. Fortunately, in construction and elsewhere, attitudes are changing and we are starting to see more diversity.
So how can we prevent stereotypes from stopping girls and boys from achieving their dreams? By reminding them that they should choose the career they want. That everyone will benefit from working together and that differences between people can be a strength, regardless of gender.
Caroline Debray, Associate Professor of Management Sciences at Montpellier Research in Management.
An article in partnership with The Conversation website.
Find UM podcasts now available on your favorite platform (Spotify, Deezer, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, etc.).