Over decades, women have lacked representation in different careers. In male-dominated professions like businesses, politics, and the military, the representation is poor. Therefore, a significant amount of effort has been put to ensure that women are represented in leadership. Different bodies through their statistics have proven that women represent a small percentage in various fields while men dominate. Research shows that more women are getting into the job industry but still have a long way for them to get the leadership positions or the managerial ranks, (William 2004). However, several researchers across the world individually research on the barriers that hinder women from attaining top executive jobs (Baker, C., 2014; Benmelech, E., Frydman, C., 2015; Cook, A. and Glass, C., 2014). Despite the fact that women perform the variety of roles in their places of work and the society, their capability to work effectively is still in doubt (Eagly, A.H., 2013). There are also other factors that bar them from reaching leadership positions in the male-dominated profession. The primary aim of this study, therefore, is to understand the place of women leadership in a male-dominated profession. The research will also pave light on how women have made it to the leadership positions in a male-dominated profession. Why there are few women in leadership positions and barriers barring women from reaching these positions, and what needs to be done to ensure more women occupy more leadership positions in a male-dominated profession. The significance of this study is to provide that more woman will be considered in leadership positions shortly. It will help to understand what's been behind women leadership in different professions.
Research Questions
This research aims to
1. To investigate the role of women in leadership positions in the military
2. To examine the barriers preventing women from ascending to leadership in the military
Literature Review
Empirical data and research done on this topic is diverse. There exists significant amount of research that explains the reasons behind their success and the reasons why most of the women do not succeed to these managerial ranks across the world. Despite the number of challenges that come their way, women have continued to volunteer in defense of their countries like in the Second World War. Wilenz (1983) discovered that there was as a small number of studies done on women in the war fields and so she went on to profile some of the women who served in the Second World War. William’s (2004) wrote a biography of a woman who was a computer science professor and one of the stars in the US Navy. She also volunteered in the Second World War through her expertise in computer science. Kanter (1977) argued that the problems faced by women in their male-dominated organizations are as a result of the fact that there are few women in the following organizations. Kanter added that women who work in the managerial space often work in male-dominated groups thus suffering from negativity and as a result become pressurized in their line of duty which in turn affects their performance. Lahtinen and Wilson (1994) too argued that male and female job separation is one of the reasons that has led to few women in the leadership positions. They explained that women are often restricted to unskilled, part-time jobs, and even with the ones with little pay whereas men occupy top positions.
Poor career choice has kept women in lower ranks for long. Most women chose to pursue low-level jobs and staff position which places them at low chances of them being promoted over time (Burrelli, D.F., 2013). However, the many talented women who could be seen rising to the leadership choose careers like advertisements and investments which do see them grow to the top managerial ranks. Pacey(1994) states that women involve themselves so much on domestic chores which makes them inferior among the society members. According to this, women have been associated with only child siring and house chores and thus not getting to chance to enjoy leadership roles like men. Singh and Vinnicombe (2006) analysis on UK companies observed that there was a drastic decrease in the number of women who are among the board of directors in the companies in 2005. The analysis also revealed that some companies narrowed down the status of the board to all-male. Their study also showed that among 77 companies there was only one female director. Huse and Solberg (2006) carried a survey by interviewing women CEOs and revealed that women who sit in the same board as men are more committed than men in that they helped in better decision making and advanced preparation of the board meeting. The two also indicated that the presence of women in a boardroom helps change the environment of the room and improves governance. Women are the most committed beings to their family members and family stability. Mavin (2000) states that women are often forced to choose between their work and the security of the family. The study further revealed that women who work in the middle ranks refuse to take up promotion because they are more committed to their families than their jobs.
Methodology
The purpose of this study is to understand the women leaders in male-dominated professions in broader terms. The study was conducted through the various methods of data collection and sampling methods. Interviews were conducted across several companies including the British army top officials on the broad matter of women leadership. The qualifications of one to be appointed to the managerial ranks were inquired from the interviewees from their respective places of work. Information which was collected during the interviews were recorded to ensure their validity. The study aimed at substantial results after this study, so it was necessary to use the questionnaire as another method of data collection. This applied mostly to the people who declined to be interviewed. Both open and closed-ended questionnaires were used during the study to provide better results.
Findings and Discussion
The study on women leadership in male-dominated profession found out quite many reasons as to why women do not make it to top positions as expected. Women in many parts of the world are seen to be incompetent as compared to men. Women who decide to pursue leadership in a male-dominated profession often lack support from their workmates. Another reason as to why there are fewer women in male-dominated careers is that there has been the issue of gender unfairness as well as mistreatment from their colleagues or seniors. Women in this fields often face sexual harassment as one of the ways they are being mistreated. The cultural implication is another factor that prevents women from becoming leaders in the male-dominated profession. Most communities believe that women cannot lead in male-dominated areas thus the fact that there are few women in this fields. There have also been pieces of evidence that women who make it in the male-dominated fields have gone through a lot of challenges throughout their career journey which makes them aim for the lead despite the resistance they face.
Conclusion
The findings of the study are that there are way fewer women in the leadership position across the different fields as compared to men who seemed to be flooded in the areas. Most of the women in their places of work were not willing to take up leadership positions. This was because women combine both house duties and work duties and are expected to deliver in both commitments. Gender equality sensitization is necessary for ensuring that more women pick up leadership positions shortly. This study also is in line with the literature that has been discussed and the cross-sectional studies that have been analyzed. More still needs to be done by experts in the field to ensure that gender parity is achieved in the British military and that there is gender sensitivity towards the same.
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