Publication Date
1992
Abstract
The principle purpose of this paper is to determine the prospects of reducing occupational segregation between now and 2005. This will be accomplished by exploring the barriers to occupational integration and the rate at which non-traditional job opportunities for women will become available in the future.
The continuation of occupational segregation depends upon two things: whether or not these barriers are present and to what extent, and also upon the speed with which new jobs open up in traditionally male occupations and female occupations. If opportunities in male-dominated fields expand rapidly and/or jobs in female-dominated fields expand slowly, the prospects for more rapid integration are favorable. This assumes that women will move into these new jobs (because there are now more jobs available) and in doing so, will decrease segregation among occupations.
After presenting evidence regarding the extent of segregation (Section 2), a theoretical model called the "crowding model," which explains the economics of occupational segregation is presented (Section 3). In section 4, an extensive review of the literature is conducted to uncover barriers to occupational integration section 5 provides the development of an empirical model to measure the growth of different male-dominated and female-dominated occupations. A summary and evaluation of the growth rates of these occupations is contained in section 6. Finally, conclusions are drawn and policy proposals are suggested in Sections 7 and 8.
Disciplines
Economics
Recommended Citation
Weil '92, Brenda, "Occupational Segregation by Gender: A Look at the Future" (1992). Honors Projects. 91.
https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/econ_honproj/91