Occupational segregation
The distribution of workers across and within occupations, based upon demographic characteristics, most often gender. Other types of occupational segregation include racial and ethnicity segregation, and sexual orientation segregation. These demographic characteristics often intersect.
Occupational segregation refers to the systematic separation of individuals into different occupations based on their sex, race, ethnicity, or other social characteristics. This phenomenon occurs when certain groups of people are disproportionately represented in certain types of occupations, while others are excluded from them.
One common form of occupational segregation is gender segregation, where men and women tend to work in different fields. For example, women are more likely to work in healthcare, education, and administrative roles, while men are more likely to work in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields and management. This gender segregation can be the result of societal norms and cultural expectations, as well as hiring and promotion practices that favor men or women in certain fields.
Another form of occupational segregation is racial segregation, where people of color may be underrepresented in certain fields or overrepresented in low-paying positions. For example, African Americans may be underrepresented in managerial positions and overrepresented in service roles.
The effects of occupational segregation can be detrimental, as it can limit job opportunities and career advancement for certain groups of people. Additionally, it can contribute to pay inequality, as occupations that are dominated by men tend to have higher wages than those that are dominated by women.
To reduce occupational segregation, it is important to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, challenge gender and race stereotypes, and implement policies that prevent discrimination and bias in hiring and promotion. Additionally, efforts should be made to increase access to training and education opportunities for groups that are underrepresented in certain fields.
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