Men in Occupational Therapy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of male occupational therapists so that better strategies for recruiting men into the profession can be developed and the problem of retaining men in the field can be addressed. Male occupational therapists were surveyed at 3-year intervals, in 1978, 1982, and 1985. Our survey results were compared with results of the 1969 American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Member Data Survey reported by Jantzen (1973), the 1982 AOTA Member Data Survey, and an unpublished study by Watson (1983). The number of professional occupational therapists almost tripled from 1970 to 1985, whereas the increase in the proportion of men was only from 3.9% to 5%. The study showed that as a group, male occupational therapists today are younger, more likely to have advanced degrees, and less likely to be married than their 1969 counterparts. Additional data included employment data, educational data, and demographic information such as family position, education and occupation of parents, extracurricular activities in high school and college, factors influencing career choice, and goals for the future.

Male Occupational Therapists in Ontario: A Survey of Work-Related Issues

“…The economic perspective is supported by several studies in which salary levels for female-dominated professions are reported to be considerably lower than for predominantly male professions (Davis-Martin, 1984;Egeland & Brown, 1989;Kadushin, 1976;Posthuma, 1983;Rider & Brashear, 1988). In other studies, men have indicated salary levels as the primary source of job dissatisfaction and some have even suggested that the large proportion of females in their professions is the cause of low salaries (Butter et al, 1987;Rider & Brashear, 1988;Wharton & Baron, 1987).…”

“…While women are more commonly found in non-traditional occupational roles, this does not hold true for men (Davis-Martin, 1984;Egeland & Brown, 1989;Posthuma, 1983;Rider & Brashear, 1988). The literature agrees that males have some reluctance to enter female-dominated professions (Davis-Martin, 1984;Egeland & Brown, 1989;Rider & Brashear, 1988), and may even experience some role strain (Egeland & Brown, 1989). As a result of these conflicts, some males may decide to leave nontraditional professions or seek out specialized areas within the profession, known as "Islands of Masculinity" (Kadushin, 1976).…”

“…Men who do become occupational therapists tend to stay in the profession for short periods of time (Brown, 1991;Madill 1987;Posthuma, 1983), and may perceive the profession as a stepping stone to medicine or other health fields Uantzen 1973; Taylor et al, 1990). Nonetheless, the absolute numbers of males entering the profession is increasing (Dent- Brown, 1990;Madill, 1987;Parish, Carr, Suwinski, & Rees, 1990;Rider & Brashear, 1988).…”

“…725% (4.90/0 in 1990; 4.7% in 1991; 4.6% in 1992; and 4.70/0 in 1993) of the professional memberships in Canada (Edna Scott, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), personal communication, March 15, 1994). In the United States, the percentage of male occupational therapists did increase from 5% (Rider & Brashear, 1988) to 5.7% (American Occupational Therapists Association (AOTA) 1990 member data survey, personal communication, March 15, 1994). These percentages have remained relatively constant although attempts have been made to recruit more males (Madill, 1987;Readman, 1992;Taylor, Madill, & Macnab, 1990;Tysinger & Whiteside, 1987;Wyrick & Stern, 1987).…”

“…The reluctance of men to enter female-dominated professions is particularly evident in occupational therapy (Posthuma, 1983;Madill, 1987;Rider &Brashear, 1988). Over the last three years (1990)(1991)(1992)(1993), male occupational therapists have comprised an average of 4.…”