Table 1 Category scheme
Category | Content | Code anchors |
|---|---|---|
Women’s experiences | ||
Wrong sex | References to women’s perception of feeling out of place | Experience of differentiation in terms of being in the wrong job, misogynist statements, gender stereotypical expectations, customers have less trust in the women’s expertise and skills |
Exotic sex | References to women’s minority status in the male-dominated school and workplace | Experience of underlining the underrepresentation of women (e.g., teachers’ explicit naming of women within classroom) |
Archetypal sex | References to women’s differences compared to men based on stereotypical attribution of ‘nature’ of sexes | Challenges in terms of gendered prejudices, gendered division of labor within the work field (e.g., office work versus construction site) |
Weak sex | References to women’s ‘deficits’ in terms of professional tasks performance | Experience of discrimination in terms of placing emphasis on the weakness (e.g., physical differences) |
Women’s adjustment strategies | ||
Resilience | References to women’s capability of resistance | Thick skin, constancy, authority, self-confidence, cheeky behavior, persistence, assertiveness, self assurance, speak out |
Assimilation | References to women’s familiarization | High lightening self-reported masculinity in behavior, in appearance and in leisure activities, negating feelings and emotions, male peer group, hide femininity, forceful discussion |
Excellence | References to women’s high performance and engagement | High effort, efficacy, ambitiousness, proof potential, persuasiveness, hard work |
Avoidance | References to women’s avoidance tactics | Invisibility, gender neutral appearance, ignorance of offending actions, immobility in the workplace, ignore discriminatory patter, avoid workplaces such as the construction site, turn a deaf ear, paying selective attention |