Systemic Gender Barriers in the Building and Construction Industry

Abstract

This chapter examines structural gender-based disadvantage experienced by women in the building industry. This is found in trade and technical occupations, but is much more prevalent in administrative and management roles in small and micro businesses where female family members and spouses carry out work often for little or no remuneration or recognition. Nor does this group have any protection in income support, injury or sickness cover or retirement benefits. This also contributes to inefficiency in the industry as there is minimal opportunity for professional development or skill enhancement. Using a non-positivist methodology, the authors found that this phenomenon is particularly prevalent in the building and construction and that many were unpaid and were employed in other occupations. This disadvantage contributed to status driven tensions between these women, often called co-preneurs, and those women working on site in trade and technical roles.

Women’s career development in the construction industry across 15 years: main barriers

“…The most used research methodology for data gathering is of a qualitative nature, through in-depth face-to-face or telephone interviews and/or focus groups. Yet, several investigations of a quantitative nature have applied questionnaires for data collection (Barreto, 2015; Abdullah et al , 2013; Kolade and Kehinde, 2013; Babatunde et al , 2012; Barnabas et al , 2009; Menches and Abraham, 2007), and other multi-method studies use both a quantitative and qualitative perspective (Alessandrini and Winter, 2014a, 2014b; English and Le Jeune, 2012; Worrall et al , 2010; Construction Sector Council, 2010; Eliufoo, 2007). The size of the samples varies greatly, from 7 participants (Lu and Sexton, 2010) up to 1,290 (Construction Sector Council, 2010).…”

“…On the one hand, there is the pervading idea that women do not have the physical qualities necessary to work adequately on building sites because they lack physical strength or because they fear working at heights (Alessandrini and Winter, 2014b; English and Le Jeune, 2012; Ibáñez and Fernández, 2011; Wellington, 2010; Construction Sector Council, 2010; Barnabas et al , 2009). On the other hand, it is said that because of the hostile conditions of building sites, women cannot endure hard work (Enshassi et al , 2008).…”

“…The following words of a female Argentinian engineer illustrate this idea: “The owner said that for the position that I occupy he wanted a woman because it is delicate work and it requires patience” (Borrás and Bucci, 2003, p. 14). Alessandrini and Winter (2014b) also point out that women architects in Tasmania (Australia) usually carry out office-based tasks, and that professional women are pushed into domestic or helping roles.…”

“…The lack of resources to combat abuse and the absence of support from employers seem to be the cause of many women leaving their jobs in the construction industry (Construction Sector Council, 2010). At times, this workplace harassment even has tragic consequences such as suicides, as pointed out by an Australian informant in Alessandrini and Winter (2014b) (Appendix 7).…”

Lets diversify by changing culture and challenging stereotypes: a case study from professional construction higher education programmes

“…There are several beliefs and assumptions about the nature of women and their suitability to work in the construction industry. Two of the most popular arising from the literature are firstly that women do not have the physical qualities necessary to work on site as they lack strength and are scared of heights; and secondly, construction sites are harsh and mentally demanding environments that women would find it hard to endure (Arditi, Gluch, & Holmdahl, 2013;Alessandrini & Process, 2014;Christiana & Adebimpe, 2017;Eisenberg, 2018;Enshassi, Ihsen, & Al Hallaq, 2008). Stereotypical beliefs in society often project the idea that women are more suitable for office jobs like administration and customer care (English & Hay, 2015) and thus women often receive very little career guidance or encouragement to take up a career in the construction sector.…”