Abstract

Historically women rarely occupied management positions. An increase in educational attainment, access to birth control and the reduction of structural barriers built on gender norms has improved women’s accessibility to leadership positions. While women make up 51.5% of all management/professional positions, this is not reflected in male-dominated industries. For example, according to 2017 Catalyst data, women hold only 4.4% of CEO positions in Fortune 500 companies, and only 1 in 5 congress positions.1 Stereotypical traits associated with men and women differ based on the socialization of gender roles that impact people’s perceptions of what makes a successful leader. For example, men are stereotypically viewed as dominant and independent while women are viewed as supportive team Builders. 3 4 This study explores the experiences of females in male dominated industries through analyzing their struggles and barriers faced when advancing into leadership roles. The researcher will conduct interviews with ten females in ten different industries while utilizing literature on socialization’s role in the perceptions and expectations that limit female leaders. Using the feminist standpoint theory, the researcher will utilize the experiences of women in male dominated industries to greater understand the impacts of ingrained socialization and women’s advancement into leadership positions.

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