‘Now you see me, now you don’t’: The Visibility Paradox for Women in a Male-Dominated Profession

摘要: Work has long been understood as central to male identity signifying personal/family responsibility and, more recently, commitment the duties of citizenship (Lewis, 2004). With rise in women’s labour market participation, however, work is now increasingly influencing sense self. Explanations for growing attachment paid include increasing economic needs or desires but also strengthening self esteem provided by and opportunities it offers engage meaningful relationships with others (Lewis et al, 2003). Women who undertake professional are still seen stepping outside traditional female stereotype those employed male-dominated professions remain tokens most sectors. As tokens, they often a position representing their ascribed category majority group so that ‘ordinary’ membership eludes them label ‘female-judge’, ‘female-plumber’, or, this case, ‘female-engineer’ firmly assigned. Because obvious difference relation dominant ‘tokens capture larger awareness share’ (Whittock, 2000: 177) which renders highly visible subject intense scrutiny others, experienced social exclusion. The choice accepting isolation taking active steps towards assimilation risk-laden complex dependent on occupational context.