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The Vertical Dimension of Occupational Segregation

Author

Listed:
  • Robert M. Blackburn

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Bradley Brooks

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Jennifer Jarman

    (Dalhousie University)

Abstract

This article presents a new approach to measuring the most important dimension of gender segregation - the vertical dimension-in quantitative survey data. This, in turn, allows for a reassessment of the view that high levels of gender segregation are synonymous with high levels of social inequality. In order to do this, the article also draws upon significant conceptual developments. `Segregation' as it is commonly understood is named as `overall' segregation, and is the resultant of two components, `horizontal' and `vertical' segregation, representing difference and inequality separately. This provides a clear approach to measurement. The argument is developed with a case study of the British labour force. The pattern of segregation, in terms of its overall level and its components, varies considerably across sections of the labour force. In terms of inequality, the vertical components measured indicate that British women working full-time are more advantaged than we would expect, and that women working in part-time manual occupations, though facing the greatest relative disadvantage in terms of pay, are actually slightly advantaged over men working in manual occupations in terms of social stratification. Although overall segregation has remained relatively unchanged over the five year period from 1991 to 1996, there have been some significant changes to its components within the various sections of the employed British labour force in that time. By looking at the various sections of the labour force, relative to the labour force as a whole, we can achieve a better understanding of how segregation operates with respect to gender inequalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert M. Blackburn & Bradley Brooks & Jennifer Jarman, 2001. "The Vertical Dimension of Occupational Segregation," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 15(3), pages 511-538, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:15:y:2001:i:3:p:511-538
    DOI: 10.1177/09500170122119138
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jennifer Jarman & Robert M. Blackburn & Bradley Brooks & Esther Dermott, 1999. "Gender Differences at Work: International Variations in Occupational Segregation," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 4(1), pages 29-50, March.
    2. Philip Almond & Jill Rubery, 1998. "The Gender Impact Of Recent European Trends In Wage Determination," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 12(4), pages 675-693, December.
    3. David Grusky & Maria Charles, 1998. "The past, present, and future of sex segregation methodoloqy," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 35(4), pages 497-504, November.
    4. Silber, Jacques G., 1989. "On the measurement of employment segregation," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 237-243, September.
    5. Jacques Silber, 1992. "Occupational Segregation Indices in the Multidimensional Case: A Note," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 68(3), pages 276-277, September.
    6. Robert M. Blackburn & Jennifer Jarman & Janet Siltanen, 1994. "A Reply to Lampard," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 8(3), pages 413-419, September.
    7. Robert M. Blackburn & Janet Siltanen & Jennifer Jarman, 1995. "The Measurement of Occupational Gender Segregation: Current Problems and a New Approach," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 158(2), pages 319-331, March.
    8. Richard Lampard, 1994. "Comment on Blackburn, Jarman and Siltanen: Marginal Matching and the Gini Coefficient," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 8(3), pages 407-411, September.
    9. Francine D. Blau & Wallace E. Hendricks, 1979. "Occupational Segregation by Sex: Trends and Prospects," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 14(2), pages 197-210.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tugce, Cuhadaroglu, 2013. "My Group Beats Your Group: Evaluating Non-Income Inequalities," SIRE Discussion Papers 2013-49, Scottish Institute for Research in Economics (SIRE).
    2. Leuze, Kathrin & Helbig, Marcel, 2015. "Why do girls' and boys' gender-(a)typical occupational aspirations differ across countries? How cultural norms and institutional constraints shape young adolescents' occupational preferences," Discussion Papers, Presidential Department P 2015-002, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.

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