The working women tied to traditional roles

Press, 1 April 1980, Page 13

The working women tied to traditional roles

Women are now onethird of the workforce. The number of married women working is increasing rapidly. But the types of jobs they do are not changing very quickly.

Half of the women in paid employment are still in six major occupations: clerical work, typing, sales, teaching, nursing, and the clothing industry.

“We are still tied to the less skilled, traditional, caring roles,” Lynda Gidlow, a vocational counsellor with the Depart-

ment of Labour, told a National Organisation for Women meeting. She is also worried that industry is continuing to train and place women in jobs which may not exist in 20 years time, or less. Ms Gidlow is alarmed at the unemployment rate among women. Women have a higher rate of unemployment than men, in proportion to their numbers in the work force. On February 29, 1998 men, and 1576 women, were registered

unemployed in Christchurcn.

“Female unemployment would be much greater if married women were included in the statistics.”

Apprenticeships are a small, bright light on a rather gloomy horizon. “Only five years ago few. women were apprenticed in Christchurch, except in hairdressing. Now we have female . apprentices in horticulture, printing, and clothing. A few women are getting maledominated occupations.” Ms Gidlow believes the pressures against breaking tradition remain great. “It’s not just getting the girls themselves to accept the idea. They also need the acceptance of their parents, and peer groups.”

“Girls find it difficult to overcome these prejudices, never mind finding the job, and then encountering ingrained attitudes from employers, other workers, and so’me trade unions." - She does not see the Humart Rights Commission as much help. Most young women, she has found, do not have the courage to report discrimination.

Wages remain a problem. “The difference between male and female earnings is still, great.” Redundancies loom, she believes, with the new office technology. Twentyfour per cent of working women are in the clerical and tvping field. Ms Gidlow is not convinced that the present rate of positions, or re-training, can

be guaranteed in the future.

, Job advertisements are now, by law, unisex? Ms Gidlow finds that many employers interview young women, but make some excuse to avoid seriously considering them for the position. She asks how we can change attitudes: “At the Vocational Guidance Centre we try to build up relations with employers so we can point out reasons why both sexes should be suitable for a job.

"I have been trying to place a highly qualified graduate in mathematics and accountancy. She has been told twice that she will not be employed because she is a female.”