It is an uncomfortable, yet undeniable, fact that in the not-at-all-distant past, women who worked in manual labor jobs such as plumbers and electricians, faced ridicule and incredulity on a daily basis. There are certain professions where either men or women dominate, but there are few that display quite the same level of gender bias as the field of manual labor.
However, the situation has improved greatly for women who wish to pursue manual labor careers, and they continue to do so. This is a trend which we are seeing repeated across the Western World. In the UK for example, one survey found that women made up 6% of the skilled workers across 10,000 different trades. In the United States, the overall percentage of female workers in skilled trades is roughly the same.
Supply and Demand
The most fundamental rule of economics is usually at the heart of any shifts, immediate or gradual, in industrial conditions. While the broader issues of gender equality have clearly played a role in making the manual labor market more accessible for women, it is also true to say that women account for a much lower percentage of the overall applicants for manual labor jobs. For the women who have wanted to pursue manual labor careers, the changing political and social climate has made them feel empowered, but it is the overriding economic necessity that has accelerated the shift towards a more gender-neutral industry.
There has been a growing need for some time, partly fueled by population increases, for medium-skilled workers such as electricians. Because these skills are more in demand, they are being advertised more, meaning that more women see them. When women apply for these positions, or for the appropriate training, the hiring company will feel more inclined to give them a chance. This then leads to that particular woman telling three of her friends about her latest job, which in turn gives those women the confidence to pursue something similar if they desire.
More Pathways
Historically, many of those who made a career in manual labor were men who followed in their fathers’ footsteps, often learning by helping them as they grew up. There are still people who take this route into the industry, but there are also a number of other ways that you can go about landing a manual labor job. Apprenticeships are a popular way of entering into a pre-defined career, particularly one that requires certification and licensing.
Better Access to Resources
Not only this, but any woman today who wishes to learn how to do some DIY or other manual labor work can look online and find the information and instructions they need for most tasks online. Sites like Verellenhc can help you to find the right equipment for the job. It shouldn’t be underestimated how much difference this access makes. Because of prejudices, women in the past may have been reluctant to even express an interest in manual labor, but now that they can begin to gain confidence themselves, many feel empowered and independent.
More women are beginning to feel empowered to pursue careers in manual labor. This is undeniably a good thing! There is still some way to go, but no woman who wants to chase a manual labor career should feel unable to do so.