The thesis Is Intended to make a contribution towards the development of a new theoretical framework for understanding gender and occupational choice as It relates to both traditional and non-traditional choices. The research arose out of a need to develop more effective Interventionist strategies around gender. work and equal opportunities In the context of the recent. largely unsuccessful. attempts to encourage more women Into the fields of science. technology and engineering. Existing theoretical frameworks for understanding both occupational choice. and women in engineering and non-traditional fields. rely heavi lyon the individual-society dualism: emphasising either individual choice or structural determination. Neither are able to offer adequate explanations either for the paucity of women In non-traditional fields or for women who do make nontraditional choices. Based In a college of technology. the research focuses on two courses which. In terms of numbers at least. could be said to be 'gendered'- the Diploma for Personal Assistants and the HND In Software Engineering. Using ethnographic research techniques Including participant observation and In-depth Interviewing of key actors In the col lege. a range of perspectives and practices concerning gender. work and equal opportunities. are Identified. The analysis of the data suggests that occupational choice Is neither a static event nor a clear-cut process but one Involving change over time and in relation to experience. as wei I as considerable contradiction and conflict for the Individuals concerned. By drawing on theories of discourse and subjectivity In the poststructural 1st tradition. this thesis begins to develop a new theoretical framework that moves beyond the dualism found In existing theories of gender and occupation. In particular. It brings back Into view 'women's agency' In a way that does not rely on the notion of 'free choice' and which highlights the cultural nature of both femininity and masculinity. This is achieved by Identifying the ways In which both women's and men's subjectlvltles are constituted In discourse and are the outcome of their negotiations with conflicting discourses on Questions of gender. work and equal opportunities.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:358243 |
| Date | January 1991 |
| Creators | Henwood, Felicity Jane |
| Publisher | University of Sussex |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
Page generated in 0.0116 seconds