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Gender, Class, and Ethnicity: Perspectives of White Portuguese and Black African Women on Labor Dynamics in the Cleaning Sector

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Helena Santos

    (Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), CIS-IUL, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Núria Romão

    (Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Carla Cerqueira

    (Lusófona University—CICANT, 4000-098 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

This study focuses on cleaning services in Lisbon, Portugal, to understand the dynamics of operating in this feminine context, mostly employing women of African origin. From a qualitative and intersectional perspective, the study encompasses 17 semi-structured individual interviews with women working in these services, nine of African origin (Black) and eight of Portuguese origin (White) between 29 and 66 years of age. The thematic analysis returned five themes portraying the specificities associated with women carrying out their activities in a context of low social status, particularly for Black women. Although we verified some of the negative consequences associated with tokenism, the intersections of gender, class, and race/ethnicity generated dynamics that also contradict this phenomenon.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Helena Santos & Núria Romão & Carla Cerqueira, 2022. "Gender, Class, and Ethnicity: Perspectives of White Portuguese and Black African Women on Labor Dynamics in the Cleaning Sector," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:12:y:2022:i:1:p:20-:d:1018114
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