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"It's My Calling": Gendered Pathways to Funeral Work
1Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL, USA.
Omega
|May 9, 2019
Summary
Cultural gender beliefs influence career paths, leading to sex segregation in college majors and occupations. This study reveals gendered pathways into funeral directing, showing how societal norms shape career choices and socialization in this feminizing field.
Area of Science:
- Sociology of Occupations
- Gender Studies
- Labor Economics
Background:
- The U.S. labor force exhibits significant sex segregation in college majors and career choices.
- Hegemonic cultural gender beliefs often dictate occupational pathways, reinforcing traditional gender roles.
- The death care industry, including funeral directing, is subject to these gendered occupational patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gendered pathways into funeral directing, an occupation transitioning from male-dominated to feminizing.
- To understand how cultural gender beliefs influence occupational choice and socialization within the funeral profession.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study employing 21 in-depth interviews with mortuary science students.
- Analysis focused on identifying gender differences in career entry and socialization experiences.
Main Results:
- Significant gender differences were observed in the pathways aspiring funeral directors take.
- The process of occupational choice and socialization into funeral work is demonstrably gendered.
- Findings highlight the persistent influence of cultural gender beliefs on career trajectories.
Conclusions:
- Cultural gender beliefs play a crucial role in shaping individuals' entry into and experiences within the funeral directing profession.
- The feminization of funeral directing is occurring within a context still influenced by historical gender norms.
- Further research is needed to explore the long-term implications of these gendered pathways.
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