The odd woman out: An (in)congruity analysis of gender stereotyping in gender-dominant public sector professions

Abstract

Public sector professions are highly gender-dominant (e.g., police officers, teachers) and determined not only by professionals but also by gender roles. According to the role congruity theory, these social roles result in perceived (in)congruities between the jobholders' gender and gender-dominant professions. This research investigates this intersection for several professions. Throughout three large-scale surveys (conducted in Austria), we first document the gender dominance of various public sector professions, and further analyze the effects from (in)congruities in gender-dominant professions. The findings are two-fold: First, for police officers, firefighters, politicians, nurses, and teachers, (in)congruities of job-holder's gender with gender dominance of the profession result in positive (negative) ascriptions of job-related traits. However, (in)congruity effects are not confirmed for other gender-dominant professions outside the public sector. Second, no (in)congruity effects are found for perceived professionalism. Findings are important for policy makers, as well as recruiters and employers who aim to reduce gender-related disadvantages within public sector employment.