Online survey finds 72% of voters do not let gender divide in the workplace hold them back

Historically there have been positions that have been dominated by specific genders. Although women and men can now work alongside one another within the workplace, one must still question whether individuals are more likely to apply for stereotypical gender-specific jobs, or are more interested in applying for jobs that are dominated by members of the opposite sex? When presented with the question of whether or not Tellwutter’s have shied away from a certain job as it was dominated by the opposite sex, results showed that the majority of panel members 72% did not let the underrepresentation of their gender prevent them from a working in a particular industry/field. In contrast, 18% of panel members indicated that they often shied away from working in industries that are overrepresented by members of the opposite sex. The remaining panel members 10% remained undecided regarding the topic. In order to find out which gender-dominated jobs, panel members have shown an interest in, voters were presented with a variety of gender-dominated jobs to select from. When asked which stereotypically female dominated jobs that men have applied to or were interested in applying to survey results revealed the following: 5% for cashier positions, 4% customer service reps and 4% voted an office clerk position. More results can be viewed here. Similarly, when asked which stereotypically male dominated jobs that men hold have women applied to or were interested in apply to survey results revealed the following: 7% chef position, 6% law enforcement, 5% construction worker and 5% a truck driver. The remaining jobs that both men and female voters selected can be found here. Interestingly, from survey results it is apparent that women are more likely to take on or show an interest in working in stereotypically male dominated jobs, whereas men are less likely to show an interest in stereotypically female dominated jobs. One may assume this may be due to the fact that historically female dominated jobs have been considered less desirable, incur lower wages and are viewed as requiring less skill than stereotypical male jobs. Therefore, men are not as likely to want to hold a position dominated by women, as it is viewed as inferior and less desirable. When asked whether panel members think that there will always be gender-dominated industries, survey results revealed that 71% of panel members think that gender-dominated positions will prevail in society, while 13% of panel members do not think gender dominated positions will persist in society and the reaming 16% of panel members are undecided. From these results it is apparent that gender roles and division are still believed to reign within the workplace. However, it is important that we try not to let gender roles determine the careers we choose to pursue in life. In fact, gender divisions within society, may never end unless we as a society stop viewing people as a ‘sex,’ but rather begin to value them for the skills and talents that they can attribute to their workplace. Only then can great equality within the workplace take prevail.