Redoing Gender: How Women in the Funeral Industry Use Essentialism for Equality

Abstract

Although some research considers women's participation in traditionally male‐dominated jobs as an ‘undoing’ of the gender system, other scholars argue that women's participation in non‐traditional roles can actually maintain hegemonic masculinity. Because women have recently entered the funeral industry in unprecedented numbers, the profession offers a unique context to study how women negotiate a sense of belonging in male‐dominated fields. I draw on 22 interviews with women in the funeral industry to reveal how gender is done and undone in an occupational context. In what Hughey (. Social Problems, 57, 653–679) refers to as a ‘paradox of participation’, I argue that women in the funeral industry redefine the image of the ideal funeral director by using gender essentialist logic, which originally acted as a barrier to their entry to the field, to justify their participation. By showing how gender essentialism and egalitarianism can constitute reinforcing logics instead of an opposing binary, this research contributes to the literature concerning women in non‐traditional roles.

“It’s My Calling”: Gendered Pathways to Funeral Work

“…This study confirms previous research that demonstrates how gender beliefs are important in shaping men and women's occupational career choices (Crumb et al, 2016;Donley & Baird, 2017;Donley, 2018;McDonald, 2013;Pruitt, 2017;Simpson, 2005). Like previous research demonstrates, most individuals conform to gendered expectations when expressing career aspirations and choices, and this study is no different.…”

“…Sociological research on funeral directing has explored the necessary emotional capital funeral directors need to be successful (Cahill, 1999) and shifting gender beliefs used by funeral workers and in funerary publications (Donley & Baird, 2017; Donley, 2018; Pruitt, 2017). Although there is some congruence, the biggest contribution of this research is demonstrating the gendered pathways to funeral directing.…”

“…To date, there has been a number of sociological studies on the gendered nature of funeral work and fewer studies on occupational socialization into funeral directing. In the former, studies demonstrate how funeral workers, employers, and clientele use gender stereotypes about women being better at emotional labor than men as a justification for their entry into funeral directing (Donley & Baird, 2017;Donley, 2018;Pruitt, 2017). Sex segregation persists in the funeral home, as women are viewed as suitable for care work, but women's physical strength is questioned when it comes to performing removals.…”

“…(Sabrina,28) Women in this sample used the caring elements of funeral work to provide rationale for wanting to become funeral directors and why they were passionate about funeral work. These findings are not surprising as scholars know women and men who go into various occupations that involve emotional labor or care work elements often cite caring and compassion for others as a motivation for their career choice (Donley & Baird, 2017;Irvine & Vermilya, 2010;McDonald, 2013;Pruitt, 2017). The gendered pathways to funeral work become more interesting when juxtaposing women's pathways against men's pathways.…”

The Lancet Commission on Gender and Global Health

“…Gender inequalities drive inequities in health and wellbeing. From determining our chance of being born 1 to the predominantly male-led delivery of our funerals, 2 , 3 gender interacts with, and frequently amplifies, other inequalities such as race or poverty in shaping our entire life experience. The global goal of equality on the basis of gender is an integral part of other global struggles for inclusive, rights-based, respectful, equitable systems, structures, and communities.…”