NCJ Number
128850
Journal
Psychology of Women Quarterly Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1989) Pages: 41-57
Date Published
1989
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Policewomen are seen to face many disadvantages in the workplace, whereas male nurses enjoy advantages from being one of the few among female colleagues.
Abstract
This study involved 50 police teams and 49 nursing teams of approximately 15 members each. Comparisons were made only within each occupation, between skewed and tilted settings. Data were gathered by means of semi-structured interviews. The results contradict the theory of numerical imbalance and the concept of critical mass apply both to men and women in minority positions. They show that although proportion is an important factor, it is not a sex-neutral factor. On the contrary, the influence of this factor is determined by the sex of those involved. Although the attitude toward the minority of both male and female majorities changes once the minority exceeds a certain percentage, the starting point for these changes is different. The attitude of the male majority changes from neutral to resistant, whereas the attitude of the female majority changes from favorable to neutral. In other words, men increasingly want to keep their domain for themselves, while women remain willing to share their domain with men. 5 notes and 19 references (Author abstract modified)