Covered by Equality: The Gender Subtext of Organizations

Abstract

This paper describes the results of an empirical study of the gender subtext in organizations. We examine the divergence of practice and impression of gender distinctions: gender inequality is still persistent in organizational practices while a dominant perception of equality occurs at the same time. Our analysis focuses on the processes (re)producing this divergence. We argue that both the persistency of gender inequality and the perception of equality emerge from a so-called gender subtext: the set of often concealed, power-based gendering processes, i.e. organizational and individual arrangements (objectives, measures, habits), systematically (re)producing gender distinctions. These gendering processes are examined in five departments in the Dutch banking sector. We explore the gender subtext in three organizational settings: show pieces (the token position of the few women in top functions), the mommy track (the side track many women with young children are shunted to) and the importance of being asked (the gendered practices of career making).

Discrimination of Second-Generation Professionals in Leadership Positions

“…They seem to serve as "tokens" by being highly visible in the organization as newcomers in positions of power, and having stereotypes attributed to them by the dominant group, as they are often seen as representatives of their (ethnic) group rather than as individuals (Kanter, 1977). This renders tokens vulnerable (Benschop & Doorewaard, 1998), allowing them no room for mistakes. Moreover, in cases where they represent a group with negative connotations, they have to work hard to reverse this image by presenting a good example.…”

Mulheres policiais, relações de poder e de gênero na polícia militar de Minas Gerais

“…nas formaturas, um rito de passagem, elas são sempre condecoradas e convidadas para representar a turma nos discursos. É como se fossem premiadas por serem as exceções (BensCHOP; DOOReWAARD, 1998).…”

The Trouble with the Glass Ceiling: Critical Reflections on a Famous Concept

“…These women have typically broken through that glass ceiling, but the tales of their encounters with the special effects of their otherness show that the problems do not stop after their breakthrough (Benschop & Doorewaard, 1998). Such an alternative conceptualization of space acknowledges that space is logical nor neutral, but filled with politics and ideology.…”

“…And even though FemPowerment is a much more extensive and qualitative oriented instrument, it could not avoid presenting its results in flat figures and using a measure rod to facilitate both the interpretation of results and comparison between organizations. By staying away from the glass ceiling and emphasizing the organizational contribution to the career development of its employees, however, FemPowerment's diagnosis of opportunities and barriers resonates the sophisticated feminist analyses that visualize the social pressures exercised by social structures and institutions, and at the same time, leave enough room for women's agency and their capacity to operate strategically in any situation (Acker, 1992;Benschop & Doorewaard, 1998) …”