Choice, diversity and 'false consciousness' in women's careers

Caven, V ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2047-2198, 2006. Choice, diversity and 'false consciousness' in women's careers. International Journal of Training and Development, 10 (1), pp. 41-54. ISSN 1360-3736

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Abstract

The central theme of this paper is that contemporary literature concerning women’s careers is based on assumptions held by researchers and not actually on views held by women themselves. Many feminist researchers are guilty of assuming ‘false consciousness’ on the part of their subjects by explaining these women as being victims of gender or patriarchal systems instead of making a mindful decision founded on choice. The empirical work draws on in-depth interviews with 39 women architects. Of the 39 women interviewed, 20 had adopted alternative ways of working, in the sense that they had rejected the conventional career within an organisation. Their reasons for this were diverse and ranged from wanting to combine childcare or elder care with work; involvement in local politics; wanting time for further study or sporting activities; as well just not wanting to work full-time. In short, this research demonstrates that work is not always a central interest in the lives of individuals and supports Hakim’s view of heterogeneity among women.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	International Journal of Training and Development
Creators:	Caven, V.
Publisher:	Wiley-Blackwell
Place of Publication:	Oxford
Date:	2006
Volume:	10
Number:	1
ISSN:	1360-3736
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1111/j.1468-2419.2006.00241.x DOI
Divisions:	Schools > Nottingham Business School
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 10:28
Last Modified:	09 Jun 2017 13:30
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/13356

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