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Title: Doing "Women's Work": Men in Nontraditional Occupations (Research on Men and Masculinities, Vol 3) by Christine L. Williams ISBN: 0-8039-5304-6 Publisher: Sage Pubns Pub. Date: 01 July, 1993 Format: Hardcover List Price(USD): $61.50

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Average Customer Rating: 4 (1 review)

Rating: 4
Summary: men in "women's jobs" studied
Comment: This book examines the lives, salaries, promotions, barriers, and emotions of men in job categories that are highly female. It can be divided into two sections: the first is a statistical analysis of the phenomenon, the second is a more direct look at men in traditionally-female careers. The second part was easier to understand and more interesting; in some ways, it should have come first. This is a slim text, but an enjoyable read. At times the book gets repetitive, but it is also a great example of sociology and gender studies.

The statistical section shows that the inquiries can be operationalized, but often these chapters said little. In a different article (which this book cites), an author talked about the "glass elevator" that men in female professions receive. She says better in one chapter what half this book fails to articulate. The chapters on specific careers (elementary teaching, secretarial work, stripping) are diverse and rigorous. Each author has a different approach which is eye-opening and insightful.

The great thing about this book is how it neither ignores nor obsesses over gay men. Typically, men in predominately female workforces are suspected of being gay. The last chapter focuses on gay men and they are brought up often here. However, men in these jobs are accused of other things as well: being child abusers, being womanizers, not caring enough, etc. I applaud this book for its lack of homophobia. I do wish men of color were discussed more, however. In one section of one chapter, a statistician hints that this phenomenon may affect men of color differently, yet research here focused on whites in the US, Britain, Australia, and Scandinavia rather than on minority men or men in the developing world. Unfortunate.

The book raises many questions that I wish it had answered. For example, it said that men in traditionally male jobs feel less stressed than those in female-dominant jobs. Well, does that mean men are less suited for this work? This book also does little in asking how men's studies or men's consciousness groups may be affecting this scenario. Further, a book in the same series as this one has discussed how women don't devote as much time to their careers given the childcare and household demands they face. Important employment matters are never wrestled with in this anthology.

Still, I'm glad this book was published. The occurrence is something that needs to be pondered for those of us who want gender equality in the workplace.