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Women In Construction I Abstract This Dissertation Approaches The Problem ...



Women in Construction

i Abstract
This dissertation approaches the problem of the under representation of women in the construction workforce and how women are perceived by their male colleagues. It suggests that existing prejudice and discrimination is in part a result of such attitudes having been the norm for many years in women's history.
Statistics from female representations in the professions of Architecture, Surveying, and Management are presented, along with a case study of a report by the company Hill McGlynn. A questionnaire is also used as a source of primary data identifying female construction workers' attitudes towards their job and highlighting any experiences of prejudices and discrimination.
Conclusions are that contemporary research into improving working conditions for women has been effective in light of the historical context from which the problem arises. However, areas for change are shown to be in the education of young people at college and university level. The future for women in construction must address discrimination and ways in which to cope with it.
Chapter Structure
Introduction:
IAbstract
IiBackground to the research
iiiAims and Objectives
ivResearch Methodology
Chapter One: Literature Review
1.1 Women in Construction: a brief history
1.2 Are women right for the job?
Chapter Two:Organisations and support
2.1 Organisations
2.2 Schemes relating to women in construction, presented by subject
Chapter Three Presentation of statistics
3.1 Women in construction by occupation
3.2RICS and RIBA female membership
3.3 Salary statistics and self employment
3.4Skills/training statistics
3.5Case Study: Hill McGlynn ‘Women in Construction' report findings 2005
3.6Independent Questionnaire
Chapter Four Interpretation and Evaluation
4.1Interpretation of statistics
4.2Evaluation of statistics and projections for reform
Chapter Five: Conclusions
5.1Conclusions
5.2Limitations and Recommendations
5.3Bibliography
Appendices
Introduction
ii Background to the research
In 2005 women accounted for 9% of the construction workforce. (Yulli 2005), a year later this had risen to 10%, with only one out of every one hundred trades people being female. (Western Mail 2006, 32). This percentage suggests that despite efforts to encourage female recruits, the industry is working uphill to dispel the stigmas attached to it. The work is perceived to be laborious, dirty, and dangerous. Perhaps harder to dispel is the perception of the construction industry as having developed a culture ‘for men, by men.' 2 (Yulli 2005). Research suggests that some women feel that they have no place in such an environment, and worse still expect or fear sexual harassment.
Efforts have been made over the last twenty years to seek gender equality in the construction industry, but as research shows, these efforts have not had any significant effect on the percentage workforce of women.


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