Blue collar workers in the steel mill. 1979.

ArchivalResource

Deaux, Kay. Blue collar workers in the steel mill.

Blue collar workers in the steel mill. 1979.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/26630166

The purpose of this 1979 study was to investigate the experiences of women working in traditionally male blue collar jobs. Two plants within the steel industry were selected as the sampling sites. The participants were 103 female workers, 125 male workers, 102 male supervisors, and 2 female supervisors. The sample consisted of white, African-American, and Hispanic employees; other ethnic backgrounds are also represented. Their ages ranged from 19 to 65. Through interviews with female and male workers and supervisors, as well as examination of company employment records, the researchers attempted to assess the following: (1) whether the affirmative action consent decrees had a noticeable effect on the hiring patterns for women in the steel industry; (2) whether there are any specific costs associated with the increased effort to hire women in the industry; (3) how male workers felt about the influx of women into their traditionally male domain; and (4) what problems women encounter as they begin to work in the industry. The investigators examined internal barriers, both psychological and physical, and external barriers, including discrimination, demands of the job, and sexual harassment. Original interview forms are available at the Murray Center.

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Harvard University, Murray Research Center