Rationalizing the postfeminist paradox: The case of UK women veterinary professionals

Abstract

This article critically evaluates how highly qualified women veterinary surgeons make sense of their constrained professional career progression in a context of postfeminism. Postfeminism posits that agentic individualism, combined with professional accreditation, generates a meritocratic pathway for career attainment. A dilemma emerges in the form of a postfeminist paradox however, as this rhetoric of opportunity is not translated into a reality of achievement. To make sense of this dilemma, women can either assume blame for their lack of career progression or accept the presence of discriminatory bias, contrary to postfeminist assumptions of individual opportunities premised upon agency. To illustrate these arguments, we explore how these professional women rationalize their constrained career progression and in the process, illustrate the impact of postfeminism upon the psychic lives of individual women.

Veterinary professional identity: Conceptual analysis and location in a practice theory framework

“…Commentators and authors of opinion pieces have speculated about whether increasing numbers of women veterinary graduates represent challenges for the profession, linked with difficulties in recruitment outside metropolitan areas, with the relatively low level of remuneration for veterinarians, or with the economic impact of mental health problems ( 53 – 57 ). The ongoing position of women in the veterinary profession has recently been characterized as a post-feminist paradox, an experience of career limitation at odds with a rhetoric of unconstrained opportunity ( 58 ).…”

Gender, STEM women and entrepreneurship: a review and future research directions

“…This is appropriate for studies employing gender as a lens to analyse how gendered power relations, practices, stereotypes and structures shape the choices, experiences and outcomes of STEM women entrepreneurs facing a “double masculinity” penalty (Kuschel et al. , 2020) due to engaging in entrepreneurship, with an associated masculine construction (Ahl, 2006), in a normatively masculine sector (Treanor et al. , 2021a).…”

“…As expected, qualitative research drew upon smaller sample sizes (ranging from nine to forty) to facilitate deeper insights into the influences upon, experiences and outcomes of STEM women entrepreneurs. This is appropriate for studies employing gender as a lens to analyse how gendered power relations, practices, stereotypes and structures shape the choices, experiences and outcomes of STEM women entrepreneurs facing a "double masculinity" penalty (Kuschel et al, 2020) due to engaging in entrepreneurship, with an associated masculine construction (Ahl, 2006), in a normatively masculine sector (Treanor et al, 2021a). Such research advances knowledge and highlights potential interdependencies and relationships worthy of further exploration.…”

Perceived Gender Discrimination and Turnover Intention: The Mediating Role of Career Satisfaction

“…In a study by Bhatt (2013) female medical doctors who perceive patriarchal and sexist attitudes in their workplaces reported that they work harder to gain the respect of their supervisors and colleagues and are still directed to less prestigious career fields. These highly qualified professional females who are overwhelmed with psychological pressure, will have to either accept the barriers to their career progress or manifest every obstacle that they face but at any choice, there may be negative consequences for their mental health, life, and career satisfaction (Treanor et al, 2021).…”