Book Reviews
| Date | 01 March 1992 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8551.1992.tb00035.x |
| Published date | 01 March 1992 |
British
Journal
of
Management,
Vol.
3,53-59 (1992)
Book
Reviews
ROSEMARY CROMPTON AND
KAY
ANDERSON
Gendered
Jobs
and Social Change
Unwin
Hyman Ltd., London, 1990
This
book provides a readable yet thoughtful insight into
the
issue of gender and its impact on the career structure
of
women. It combines a useful overview of some of
the
theoretical issues which impinge on the area as well
as
case studies in four occupational settings. It will
provide an accessible introduction to both the under-
graduate studying the area, as well as to a wider
audience of interested women or men, academics or
managers.
The first three chapters of the book are concerned with
building a theoretical background and framework. These
chapters are necessarily brief, providing sufficient detail
to
engage the issues yet not overburdening the reader.
Chapter one explains the theoretical position of the auth-
ors, relating it to the other main theories which are avail-
able. They base their analysis on the notion of the duality
of
structure (Giddens, 1984) and argue for the validity
of
a case study approach. This first chapter, therefore,
examines the debate around the issue of gender and class.
It
is argued that the construction of theoretical schemes
which section the division of labour into classes is coun-
ter-productive to the understanding of gender (p. 2). The
importance of economic interest is acknowledged, but
the
social and cultural factors are seen to have equal
significance in understanding the position of women.
Thus, the authors choose to examine the division of
labour of men and women in the occupational structure,
looking, also, at the manner in which these structures
are reproduced. The aim is to move away from the dicho-
tomy of structure and action.
The debate as to the extent to which patriarchy is
materially or ideologically based is also considered in
this chapter. Patriarchy is used by the authors as a par-
ticular aspect of gender relations, they, rather than
patriarchy, being universal. Again then the emphasis is
on the formation of gender relations and the way in which
these develop and change through time.
The absence of a single theory of gender relations (p.
20) is argued to lead to variations in particular industries
and occupations and, thus, a case study approach is
necessary. Methodologically the case study is argued to
be analytical rather than illustrative, provided it is
embedded in an appropriate theoretical framework.
Chapter two examines occupational segregation in
more depth, examining its reproduction through past
conventions as well as its transformation by, for example,
the ‘qualifications lever’, whereby women achieve the
qualifications which provide a means of entry into an
occupation. A model
of
occupational segregation is deve-
loped. This distinguishes between occupational and
organizational labour markets, as well as between those
who enter the labour market with high and low creden-
tials or qualifications. Five diverse situations are located
in respect of the different relationships of the two vari-
ables, and this forms the basis of the choice of case stu-
dies.
Chapter three turns to an historical analysis of women
in post-war Britain, focusing on the social elements which
have affected the occupational structure, and emphasiz-
ing the role of part-time employment and education. The
contraction of the teaching profession, a traditional out-
let for better educated women, is seen as a particular
impetus for women to look to different areas for employ-
ment.
Chapters four to seven provide the case studies of four
different occupations: Pharmacy, Accountancy, Building
Society employment, and employment in the Hospitality
industry. The case studies are overviews of the industries,
providing information about the type of employment
available, the qualifications needed and the relative
employment of women and men within them. There are
also some short histories of particular women’s careers,
and some quotations from women who had been inter-
viewed in the course of the project. Many references to
more detailed work in all the occupations are provided.
The final chapter provides the customary conclusions
as well as some cross-national comparisons. The differen-
tial impact of male exclusionary practices, employer stra-
tegies and the normative expectations engendered in our
society, in the occupations considered in the case studies,
is highlighted. The causal primacy of economic, political
or ideological factors is not seen as useful on a general
level, but the case studies do lead to the possibility of
suggesting some causal primacy at the occupational level.
It is therefore contended that the case studies have been
1045-3 172/92/010053-07-$05.00
0
1992 by John Wiley
&
Sons, Ltd.
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