Men in Non-Traditional Occupations: Career Entry, Career Orientation and Experience of Role Strain

Abstract

This article explores the experiences of men in non-traditional occupations. In particular it focuses on the dynamics of career entry, career orientation (namely, a preference for intrinsic or extrinsic rewards) and the possible existence, nature and consequences of role strain. Four occupational groups are examined: nurses, cabin crew, librarians and primary school teachers. The results suggest that men fall into three main categories: seekers (who actively chose the 'female' occupation), 'finders' (who did not actively seek a non-traditional career but who found the occupation in the process of making general career decisions) and settlers (who actively chose the occupation, often as a result of dissatisfaction with a more 'masculine' job, and who then settled in their non-traditional career). Settlers, in particular, are associated with a more intrinsic career orientation and express a desire to remain close to occupational and professional practice. Role strain is prevalent in men's experiences in their nontraditional career. The potential sources of such role strain and the implications for career aspirations and career choices are explored.

Men and women in childcare: a study of caregiver–child interactions

“…This can possibly be explained by the similar sex roles of male and female caregivers. For most jobs a specific professional profile is required, which can result in a relatively homogeneous pattern of personality characteristics within members of the same occupation (Simpson 2005). Also, men and women who work in childcare likely share important pedagogical-oriented traits that made them choose to become professional caregivers, even before they entered vocational training.…”

Men in nursing: Re-evaluating masculinities, re-evaluating gender

“…For example it becomes possible to concentrate on the effort men must expend to negotiate the gender assumptions inherent in the work as they face a range of challenges to their 'masculinity' (Lupton, 2000). They may undergo role strain, which has implications for their career aspirations (Simpson, 2005) and which may explain why men in nursing are more likely to have leadership aspirations.…”

“…As well as the putative challenges to their masculinity, Simpson (2005) claims that men in nursing experience the loss of both pay and status. This, then, says Evans (1997) relates to the way that male nurses organize their work roles so as to exhibit more 'masculinity' by downgrading people-oriented activities and focusing instead on task-oriented aspects of the role.…”

Crossing the Gendered Divide: Male Students' Choice of Non-Traditional College Major

“…The first topical area explored the dynamics of male students entering the apparel major. Based on Simpson's (2005) typology, 18 participants (82%) were "settlers": they transferred to the apparel program from various 'masculine' majors such as business, engineering, and architecture. Only four participants were "seekers", who entered the college as apparel majors.…”