Sometimes, it starts with the employer. I recall applying for a gas station cashier job, and the Manager looked me up and down and was definitely deciding I did not look like I had the balls for the job. Which in retrospect, was fateful because I don’t think I would have liked that job either.

Interestingly, I now work in a male-dominated profession: news video editor.

I have a friend who works as a mechanic at a large transportation-related firm. The sexism she described facing in the workplace shocked me, especially since this employer has won awards for being a good employer (using what metrics, I don’t know). I think most women decide they don’t want to be a part of the bullshit games that men are socialized to play with regards to power, posturing, knowledge, etc., and remove themselves as quickly as possible — for instance, my friend is getting training in a related but different field in order to leave).

The fact that those games are tolerated by management — or in some cases, they participate in it (and that’s just as true in unionized shops IIRC) — means the culture continues and the problem remains. I’ve really grappled with whether public shaming is the only way to combat it.

But sometimes change does happen. Just look at how many women there are in urban planning now

Long distance driving is an uncomfortable job with long hours and significant danger. If you look at the research on what different people look for in a job, women tend to prefer jobs that they consider to be personally fulfilling and comfortable. On the other hand men generally have income as the number one consideration when looking for a job. So jobs such as long distance driving typically attract men.

The other factors mentioned by other posters could definitely be contributing factors.

hey garth no offense but have you ever tried sitting at a desk all day typing? or bent over a sewing machine, do you think walking hundreds of miles a day waiting on tables or washing sick people and changing sheets on a bed with a person in it are comfortable tings to do?

we haven’t even started to discuss the women in social services being abused by people with mental illness for close to minimum wage. about money women support families too it is usually women who end up with that task.

it is these misconceptions about people of different genders that keeps everybody where they are. when women step out of their role and men for that matter there is a lot of abuse just think of what male nurses and flight attendants go through. a woman in trades is labeled also and sometimes put in dangerous situations all in the name of showing they can handle it.

a lot of people/ humans can not withstand these constant attacks and therefore do not do what they want to in life.

@mariegold: while I don’t necessarily agree with Garth’s presentation of his case I do agree that long distance bus driving is a difficult life.

One of my first jobs was working for a bus company and I saw the toll the lifestyle of long hours, days away from home, lack of regular social contact, etc took on drivers’ personal lives. The downsides of the job are not balanced by a corresponding sense of fulfillment, also passengers are often not very respectful or appreciative of drivers.

It is hard to imagine that *anyone* aspires to become a bus driver, it tends to be the sort of thing people fall into, or perhaps turn to as a step up from long-haul transport driving.

mariegold: We’re talking about generalities here. The original post wondered why there aren’t more women in some fields. I gave some facts about general preference differences betwen the sexes. You responded by cherry picking a few examples.

Of course there are women who work dangerous and uncomfortable jobs, and some women-dominated jobs are dangerous and uncomfortable. However, on the whole, most dangerous and uncomfortable jobs are sought out and held by men. This is why 90% of work fatalities are suffered by men.

And by the way, I sit at a desk all day typing, and it is pretty easy. Much easier than, say, working in a mine (male dominated) or working construction (male dominated).