Token Image in Male-Dominated Professions and Occupational Segregation Based on Gender

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine and understand the experiences of women who have token status in their profession based on the news reflected in national news agencies. In the study, 10 professions were determined, including military service, pilot, prison director, firefighter, driver, driving instructor, pumper, house painter/electrician/car mechanic, postal officer, fisher, where women are numerically a minority. The method of the research was determined as the qualitative research method, and the research design was determined as descriptive content analysis. It reaches conclusions about the occupational gender typing for women in Turkey. The research also tries to understand the roles attributed to these individuals in the context of occupations attributed to the female gender. Finally, images of women in the mentioned professions are also examined in terms of the way the news about token women is presented.