Blog 14

Britton’s use of the theory of gendered organization in her research helps to shape the types of questions and thus her interactions with her interview subjects. In the ensuing chapters you can see how Britton encourages her interview subjects to answer questions focused on the topic of gendered organization in their field of work and thus reflect on the idea as well as how it impacts them.

Britton explains the theory of gendered organization using a three-fold approach that encompasses structure, agency, and culture all having a part in continuing the process of organization gendering. First there is the structure of organization that separates males and females in regards to their perceived private and public sectors. This division is based on women’s ability to reproduce and thus their responsibility to care for the children they produce which takes away from their ability to devote their whole being to a job which is what men are seen as being capable of increasing their production value for a company. The structure of companies place emphasis on the ability to be a constant producer with no interference from one’s private life which is seen as a male trait and not a women trait thus women are not favored which creates segregated occupations. The next aspect of gendered organization is the agency through which male and female inequalities are perpetuated. Due to men and women being inherently different, they form alliances based on being the same sex in order to advance their genders causes and interests since they are the same and it is very valuable to them. This creates greater inequality in the workplace as each gender interacts in a way to promote their genders causes and interests in order to be accepted by those of the same gender and even those of the opposite gender. The last aspect that comes together to promote organization gendering is the culture in which we grow up in that gives the meanings and thus justification to the differences between men and women. Through media, socialization, and language we are taught about the differences between the genders and what they are supposed to mean such as the fact that men are usually more muscular than women thus they are stronger physically and mentally. These different meanings given to the biological differences between men and women allow for us to justify our actions that promote inequality between the genders thus it allows us to continue organization gendering. These three aspects work together to promote the theory of gendered organization in the workplace subsequently continuing to promote gender inequality.