Women in Male-Dominated Health Professions

Abstract

Analysis of survey data on six health professions in Michigan suggests the extent to which sex-role stereotypes are reflected in the distribution of women within and among those professions which typically function as independent practitioners. The particular emphasis of the analysis is the structural or organizational aspects of the professions which facilitate or hinder the recruitment and participation of women. Distribution of women among professions is associated with relative levels of sex-segregation and with the relative availability of career opportunities in nonentrepreneurial settings. Implications of these findings for future trends in the sex structure of the health professions are discussed and a research agenda on women health professionals is proposed.

The practice of dentistry by male and female dentists

“…WEAVER & GARRET (30) on female physicians stated: "More than half again as many male as female physicians are engaged in office-based, self-employed practice; women on the other hand, are twice as likely to be found in hospitals and public health departments." CAR-PENTER (31) hypothesized that this is because entering private practice involves risk-taking and competition, which are traits that women are taught to avoid. Whether female dentists have markedly different personality traits from their male colleagues remains conjecture.…”