Wingfield - Racializing the Glass Escalator: Reconsidering Men’s Experiences With Women’s Work.” Flashcards
How is the “glass escalator” different for black men in nursing?
gendered racism may limit the
extent to which they establish bonds with their colleagues and supervisors.
- Hard to network (and get promotions)
White women colleagues may also see them as stereotypes (threat to white women)
Black men nurses have with white men bosses
It is often believed that men belong in higher ‘prestige’ jobs, why does this not apply to black male nurses?
People don’t assume they have higher expertise
(belief that Blacks are inherently less
competent than whites)
Black men nurses may be seen as inherently less capable and therefore better suited for low-wage labor than a
professional, feminized occupation such as nursing.
(think they are better suited to blue collar work)
White men tend to distance themselves from femininity (helps these men achieve aspects of hegemonic masculinity)
Do black male nurses do the same thing?
Yes, and this might also be fueled by racial inequality
Rejecting femininity is a key strategy men use to assert masculinity, and it remains available to Black men even when other means of achieving masculinity are unattainable. (ex. white male activities)
BUT
minority men may challenge racism by rejecting hegemonic masculine ideals. (ex. Chinese men reject hegemonic masculinity because its implicit assumptions of whiteness exclude Asian American men)
and
Black men nurses may embrace the femininity associated with nursing if
it offers a way to combat racism.
women welcome men into “their” professions, they often push men into leadership roles that ease their advancement into upper-level positions
Do they do the same for black men?
No, they are often treated coldly by female coworkers
Are black men rewarded by male supervisors?
Black men nurses describe incidents
of being overlooked by supervisors when it comes time for promotions.
- Limit upward mobility
How do patients view male nurses? (all races)
seem to expect to be treated by white women nurses.
White male nurses are expected to be doctors, what are black male nurses expected to be?
mistaken for janitors or service workers.
So assumed to not be in a “feminized position” while also being reduced to housekeeping (shows how gender and race intersect)
Most research shows that as men nurses employ strategies that distance them
from femininity.
Does this apply to black men as well?
Instead of distancing themselves from the femininity associated with nursing, Black men actually embrace some of the more feminized attributes associated w/nursing
Ex. can be more caring and nurturing
Some feel they are making a positive impact on fellow black patients
