AIAS Lunch Seminar 9 February - Stephanie Steinmetz - AIAS and Department of Sociology UvA
The contextual challenges of occupational sex segregation – From a European towards a worldwide perspective
| Day: | Thursday 9 February |
| Time: | 12.15 – 13.15 hrs. |
| Location: | AIAS, 3rd floor, M building, Plantage Muidergracht 12, Amsterdam |
| Registration: | Please send an email to register. A sandwich will then be provided. |
Abstract
In a globalized world, rapidly changing industries and labour markets have created various job opportunities for women. However, women still face gender inequalities. They remain in specific occupations, and reach lower hierarchical levels. This phenomenon – occupational sex segregation – is often regarded as a serious labor market imperfection. Due to its tight link with gender differences in income, it indicates sex discrimination and inequality.
The presentation is based on the recently published book “The Contextual Challenges of Occupational Sex Segregation – Deciphering Cross-National Differences in Europe” which untangles the complex interplay of individual and contextual factors shaping cross-national differences in horizontal and vertical occupational sex segregation. By relating individual-level factors affecting occupational decisions to the broader social and economic societal context the study shows that institutional factors, such as the organization of educational systems, post-industrial developments, social policies, and the national “gender culture”, play a crucial role in shaping sex segregation processes.
At the end of the presentation, the still open question will be addressed whether the findings on occupational sex segregation can also be applied to developing countries. So far, it is only known that levels of occupational sex segregation vary more widely across the different regions of the world (it is highest in Latin America and the Caribbean and lowest in East Asia). However, due to a lack of detailed micro-level data, no further attempts have been done to explore from a macro and micro perspective which factors drive occupational sex segregation in less developed countries.
The presenter
dr. S.M. (Stephanie) Steinmetz
Click here for an overview of all lunch seminars from January – July 2012
