Despite considerable changes in the labor market, there remains a clear divide between ‘male jobs’, in areas such as security and construction, and ‘female jobs’, in areas such as nursing and (increasingly) teaching.

While this divide has largely persisted, a new study from University of North Carolina at Charlotte suggests that in times of unemployment, a growing number of men are thinking of crossing the divide.

This is important, as labor market statistics highlight the shrinkage in traditionally male-dominated work sectors, resulting in higher instability in the career prospects of men across the country.  Indeed, labor force participation rates have been on the decline for men in a wide range of fields.  What’s more, these traditionally female jobs are those predicted to have the highest job and wage growth in the coming years.

Making the transition

There has been a traditional reluctance among many men to enter what are perceived to be female-dominated jobs.  This is often because the pay is less, but there is also a status issue at play, with our job a major part of our identity.

The researchers wanted to test whether a period of unemployment might provide the kind of jolt required to ease this transition.  They found that those who do make the transition see their wages increase by around 4%, while they also see a boost in occupational prestige.

A couple of hypotheses were initially tested, the first of which was that unemployed men would simply try and struggle through their unemployment until they found ‘male’ work again, whereas the second was that they would take a more pragmatic approach, and take work, even if it was perceived as more female.  It was this second hypothesis that was closest to the mark.

“What our study suggests is that unemployment may act as a shock that encourages men to consider job alternatives that they might not otherwise consider while employed,” the researchers say. “When men are facing potentially missed housing, car payments, or the lack of an income stream, that’s really meaningful.”

Adapting socially

That the realities of life are forcing men to take on jobs that they might previously have shunned is important as what have traditionally been male-dominated jobs, and especially working-class male-dominated jobs, have been disappearing.

“Research by economists and sociologists has pointed to the fact that if some men do not start to re-shift their job choices, they are at risk of being left behind, or facing persistent job instability due to frequent layoffs,” the researchers explain.

The findings from the research provide a high degree of comfort for any men still uncertain about the social repercussions of moving into more unfamiliar roles, as both wages and one’s occupational prestige seemed to be boosted by the shift.

This matters as it hopefully assuages some of the concerns men have, both in terms of the salary outcome of the transition, but perhaps more importantly, the social ramifications.

“A host of social science research has shown that workers often take a hit to their wages and job status in the position they take after unemployment. Thus, it is significant that in some cases going into a female-dominated job may help offset typical costs associated with unemployment,” the researchers say.

A wage premium

The researchers suggest this shift into more female-dominated work results in higher wages for a number of reasons.  For instance, when men search for such roles, they may target jobs that are an upgrade on their previous role, to try and offset any possible stigma by advancing their careers.

The experience from their former roles may even benefit from a premium in the jobs market, with employers valuing such experience highly and providing them with a leg-up into more senior roles.  This prestige boost is crucial to making the transition appear an attractive one.

“Many men transitioned from manual working-class jobs to entry-level white-collar female-dominated jobs. This is important because these white-collar jobs might offer greater long-term job security, given the precarity of many male-dominated working-class jobs,” the researchers explain.

Whereas the longer-term prospects for many of the blue-collar jobs that are in decline are not great, the authors believe that the white-collar jobs men are increasingly moving into may act as a springboard for career advancement.

The glass escalator

This is because of the phenomenon known as the ‘glass escalator’, which suggests that men often have distinct advantages when moving into female-dominated jobs.  This phenomenon is especially common for white men, who data suggests tend to secure higher wages and faster promotions than their female peers.

It’s a situation that typically isn’t reciprocated when women move into traditionally male jobs, and indeed it’s far more common for women in such circumstances to suffer from lower wages and more obstacles in the way of promotion.

Despite these apparent advantages however, the data suggests there has not been a flood of men entering female-dominated jobs in the past few decades.  With the decline in male-dominated roles however, it’s a picture that may be about to change.

“Our study highlights the fact that men open up their job options to include female-dominated fields when faced with unemployment. Not only that, but there may be benefits associated with going into these jobs–benefits that could have real implications for men and their families given the financial constraints typically associated with unemployment,” the authors conclude.