Professional women in computer programming occupations: the case of Turkey

Abstract

This paper focuses on the professional women, who work in high status jobs, such as system analysts and computer programming, in Turkey. It aims to explain their high share in the sector and the various coping strategies employed by the women as a response to the demands of their work. The findings of the research illustrate that these women appear to be young, university graduates who were born and live in urban centres and who are demanded by the sector particularly for their high qualifications. On the other hand, these women work hard, postpone marriage or not marry at all. Those women, who are married, manage work without a radical redefinition of their marital roles. This research is relevant as empirical research has not been conducted with the women in this sector in Turkey. Further empirical work is now necessary in order to explain their working conditions in detail. Future research should also inquire whether this sector would open up new windows of opportunity for women.