Abstract
Institutionalised discrimination continues to perpetuate deep rooted social divisions, with gender inequality persisting as a pervasive feature of labour markets across the world. Despite the depth and breadth of gender inequality, there is limited acknowledgement in career theory that the career support needs of women are distinctive. A qualitative international comparative study into the career trajectories of older women (aged 45–65) has been conducted across six countries (Australia, Argentina, Germany, Italy, England and South Africa). The results provide an international understanding of women’s careers and offer insight into career theory and practice for women that are culturally relevant.
Résumé
Un problème avec les femmes ? Défis posés par le genre dans la pratique du conseil en orientation. La discrimination institutionnalisée perpétue des divisions sociales profondément ancrées, comme l’inégalité des genres qui persiste en tant que caractéristique omniprésente des marchés du travail dans le monde. En dépit de l’ampleur de l’inégalité du genre, il y a peu de reconnaissance théorique des besoins distincts des femmes en ce qui concerne le soutien de carrière, dans le champ de l’orientation. Une étude internationale comparative et qualitative des trajectoires professionnelles de femmes âgées (de 45 à 65 ans) a été conduite au travers de six pays (Australie, Argentine, Allemagne, Italie, Angleterre et Afrique du Sud). Les résultats offrent une compréhension internationale des carrières féminines et offrent un aperçu de théories et pratiques de carrière culturellement pertinentes vis-à-vis de la culture.
Zusammenfassung
Ein Problem mit Frauen? Gender-Herausforderungen in der beruflichen Beratung. Institutionalisierte Diskriminierungen perpetuieren weiterhin die tief verwurzelten sozialen Unterschiede, und Geschlechter-Ungleichheit ist eine allgegenwärtige und fortdauernde Erscheinung auf dem Arbeitsmärkt überall in der Welt. Trotz der beträchtlichen Geschlechter-Ungleichheit gibt es in den Theorien zur beruflichen Entwicklung nur begrenzte Anerkennung für den ausgeprägten Unterstützungsbedarf von Frauen bei ihrer Berufsentwicklung. Hierzu wurde eine qualitative internationale Vergleichsstudie über die Karrierepfade älterer Frauen (45 bis 65 Jahre) in sechs Ländern durchgeführt (Australien, Argentinien, Deutschland, Italien, England und Süd Afrika). Die Ergebnisse liefern eine internationale Verständigung über das Wesen der Karrierewege von Frauen und bieten kulturell relevante Einblicke in Theorie und Praxis der beruflichen Beratung von Frauen.
Resumen
¿El problema con las mujeres? Retos planteados por la práctica de la orientación laboral de género. La discriminación institucionalizada continúa perpetuando divisiones sociales profundamente arraigadas, con la desigualdad de género persistiendo como una característica generalizada de los mercados de trabajo en todo el mundo. A pesar de la profundidad y amplitud de la desigualdad de género, existe un conocimiento limitado en la teoría de que las necesidades de apoyo en las carreras profesionales para las mujeres, son diferentes. Un estudio comparativo cualitativo e internacional sobre las trayectorias profesionales para mujeres mayores (de 45 a 65 años) se ha llevado a cabo en seis países (Australia, Argentina, Alemania, Italia, Inglaterra y Sudáfrica). Los resultados facilitan una comprensión internacional sobre las carreras de las mujeres y ofrece información sobre la teoría y la práctica profesional de las mujeres, que son relevantes desde el punto de vista cultural.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Astin, H. S. (1984). The meaning of work in women’s lives: A sociopsychological model of career choice and work behaviour. The Counseling Psychologist, 12, 117–126.
August, R. A. (2010). Women’s later life career development: Looking through the lens of the kaleidoscope career model. Journal of Career Development,. doi:10.1177/0894845310362221.
Bimrose, J. (2002). Girls and women: Challenges for careers guidance practice. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 29, 79–94. doi:10.1080/03069880020019392.
Bimrose, J. (2004). Sexual harassment in the workplace: An ethical dilemma for career guidance practice? British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 31, 109–121. doi:10.1080/03069880310001648049.
Bimrose, J. (2008). Guidance with women. In J. A. Athanasou & R. Van Esbroeck (Eds.), International handbook of career guidance (pp. 375–404). Dordrecht, Germany: Springer.
Bimrose, J., Watson, M., & McMahon, M. (2013). Career trajectories of older women: Implications for career guidance. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 41, 587–601. doi:101080/03069885.2013.779639.
Bimrose, J., McMahon, M., & Watson, M. (2014). Older women’s retrospective narratives of their work and learning pathways. In G. Arulmani, A. Bakshi, F. Leong, & T. Watts (Eds.), Handbook of career development: International perspectives. New York, NY: Springer.
Bryman, A., & Burgess, R. G. (Eds.). (1994). Analyzing qualitative data. London, UK: Routledge.
Charmaz, K. (2007). Grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis. London, UK: Sage.
Collin, A. (1986). Career development: The significance of the subjective career. Personnel Review, 15, 22–28. doi:10.1108/eb055535.
Cook, E. P., Heppner, M. J., & O’Brien, K. M. (2002). Career development of women of colour and white women: Assumptions, conceptualization, and interventions from an ecological perspective. The Career Development Quarterly, 50, 291–305. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.2002.tb00574.x.
Fassinger, R. E. (2005). Paradigms, praxis, problems, and promise: Grounded theory in counselling psychology research. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 156–166. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.52.2.156.
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Chicago, IL: Aldine De Gruyter.
Hakim, C. (1995). Five feminist myths about women’s employment. British Journal of Sociology, 46, 429–455.
Hakim, C. (1996). Key issues in women’s work. London, UK: Athlone Press.
Hakim, C. (2006). Women, careers and work-life preferences. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 34, 279–294. doi:10.1080/03069880600769118.
Holland, J. L. (1966). The psychology of vocational choice. Waltham, MA: Blaisdell.
ILO (International Labour Office). (2010). Women in labour markets: Measuring progress and identifying challenges. Geneva, Switzerland: Author.
King, N., & Horrocks, C. (2010). Interviews in qualitative research. London, UK: Sage.
Lapour, A. S., & Heppner, M. J. (2009). Social class privilege and adolescent women’s perceived career options. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56, 477–494. doi:10.1037/a0017268.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
McMahon, M., Watson, M., & Bimrose, J. (2012). Career adaptability: A qualitative understanding from the stories of older women. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80, 762–768. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2012.01.016.
McMahon, M., Watson, M. B., & Bimrose, J. (2013). Older women’s careers: Systemic perspectives. In W. Patton (Ed.), Conceptualising women’s working lives: Moving the boundaries of our discourse (pp. 119–133). Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense.
OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) (2012). Closing the gender gap: Act now. http://www.oecd.org/gender/closingthegap.htm.
Osipow, S. H. (1975). The relevance of theories of career development to special groups: Problems, needed data and implications. In J. S. Picou & R. E. Campbell (Eds.), Career behaviour of special groups (pp. 9–22). Westerville, OH: Merrill.
Patton, W. (1997). Women’s career development. In W. Patton & M. McMahon (Eds.), Career development in practice: A systems theory perspective (pp. 37–46). Sydney, Australia: New Hobsons Press.
Patton, W., & McMahon, M. (2006). Career development and systems theory: Connecting theory and practice (2nd ed.). Rotterdam: Sense.
Psathas, G. (1968). Toward a theory of occupational choice for women. Sociology and Social Research, 52, 253–268.
Savickas, M. (2008). Career adaptability project Meeting of the life-design International Research Group. Berlin, Germany: Humboldt University.
Sayer, L. C. (2005). Gender, time and inequality: Trends in women’s and men’s paid work, unpaid work and free time. Social Forces, 84, 285–303. doi:10.1353/sof2005.0126.
Schein, E. H. (1984). Culture as an environmental context for careers. Journal of Occupational Behavior, 5, 71–81. doi:10.1002/job.4030050107.
Super, D. E. (1957). The psychology of careers. New York, NY: Harper and Row.
Thomas, E., & Magilvy, J. K. (2011). Qualitative rigor or research validity in qualitative research. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 16, 151–155. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6155.2011.00283.x.
Tyler, L. (1967). The encounter with poverty: Its effect on vocational psychology. Rehabilitation Psychology Bulletin, 11, 61–70.
United Nations (2011). The millennium development goals report 2011. http://www.un.org/milleniumgoals/11-MDG%20Report_EN.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bimrose, J., Watson, M., McMahon, M. et al. The problem with women? Challenges posed by gender for career guidance practice. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 14, 77–88 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-013-9256-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-013-9256-9