The Burden of Being “Employable”

Abstract

In the study presented here, we examined factors that shape women’s employability and their impact on women’s subjective health and well-being in four British Columbian communities. Although the economic contexts of the urban, rural, remote, and reserve communities were diverse, they intersected with gender roles and cultural norms to provide a picture of women’s employability that was remarkably consistent. In all the communities, the women reported difficulties making ends meet; caregiving overload; chronic stress and worry; and, in many cases, violence and abuse. Our intersectional analysis allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of women’s lived experiences of being defined as employable.