Critique Critical Thinkings Examples

Article Critique: Masculinity at Work

Abstract
This paper critiques the research findings of Ruth Simpson on ‘masculinity at work: the experiences of men in female-dominated occupations. In this paper, the evidence and arguments in the article are critiqued. The paper further relates some of the materials in this article to the theoretical framework of critical thinking. It explores other sources related to masculinity at work in its critics. The paper shall establish some of the insightful things that make sense in the article as well as identify the aspects that create confusion. Lastly, the paper shall show some of the aspects that are provoking and requires further research and questions.

Introduction

‘Masculinity At Work; Male Experience In Female Dominated Occupations’ is an article that explores the experiences and motivations of male workers in occupations that are traditionally believed to belong to women. The article explores the implication of men’s choices to work in the roles of women for gender identity. Recent research have seen men put at the center of the analysis by focusing on the masculinity’s dynamics and on institutions as significant areas for definitions of masculinity and for featuring of masculine and feminine work.
The article addressed three questions in regard to career motivation and aspirations, to the importance of men’s minority nature and the impact of the occupational preference for gender identity. Previous research on organizations and gender has made an assumption about men and masculinity as normative standard scenario against which the distinct differences has been determined.
In this paper, this article will be critiqued to establish the impact of the research on the findings as well as establish the aspects that are confusing and provoking which would require further research. It will explore other sources related to masculinity at work to base and expand its discussion.

According to Simpson’s analysis, men in occupations traditionally believed to belong to women are categorized into various categories; that is the seekers and the finders (Simpson, 2004, p. 15). The finders found the occupation in the process of seeking for a job while the seekers actively and by choice took the occupation. The two groups were identified according to Villemez’s 1993 typology. In addition to this Simpson identified a third group is settlers. The settlers possess the desire to remain closer to professional practices as well as hesitance to take on leadership or managerial positions. The article further suggests that not all men in non-traditional occupations aspires leadership and managerial position. According to the evidence provided in the article, for instance, the desire by a male nurse to work in a caring institution proves the fact that some men are seekers. On the other hand, some men find themselves in some occupations, for instance, the cabin crew. Not because they have a passion or interest in it but because it happens to be the available job at the moment. Settlers also for example the cabin crew after joining the occupation ends up settling in it as a result of fun the experience in traveling. In real life experience the three categories apply. There are men who would want to work in some women roles out of passion, while there are some who are forced by circumstance. Within those forced by circumstances, there are men who would find the job interesting and settle in it.
Simpson’s analysis claims that not all men aspire to ‘fast track’ their careers as predicted by Evans about men’s ambitious attitude to work (Evans, 1997, p. 41). The argument has not been backed with enough evidence to proof this in the article. On the contrary, it is every man’s desire to rise and ‘straight through’ their career. Even if men who do not seek to pursue this goal exist, the number is in negligible. With the advantage of men being naturally ambitious and the desire to work in women dominated occupation, it gives them an upper hand in advancing their career and rising to leadership positions. Indeed in the real world almost everybody is ambitious and would wish to rise in the hierarchy of leadership.
The analysis in this article shows the benefits that men accrue as a result of ‘special consideration effect’ and ‘career effect’ (Simpson, 2004, p. 23). From heightened visibility men in women, roles tend to get special attention, greater pay, benefits as well as faster career progress. However, it indicates that not all men take advantage to exploit their positions. According to real life experience, the number of men that would not take advantage of the situation is very insignificant. In regard to the greater pay, it is unrealistic. The compensation strategy of any institution is not based on gender, therefore, men and women working in the same occupation regardless of the role being for women or men. The only benefit that men could gain is special attention and faster career progression. Women are believed to be enemies of themselves. Hence, the best persons they can work with are men. With this in mind, most women in leadership positions would prefer to offer more benefits to men than women to cut on internal competition.

Additional Articles

The assumed stability of categories of gender is also a problem within the perspective discussed by Sampson. Over the years, the gender roles have double-crossed with more men being employed in women roles. For instance male, bakers are concentrated in well-paid bakeries while women end up in low paying job (Padavic et. al 2002, 33). This according to Simpson men enjoys various benefits courtesy of working in women roles. The article by Padavic indicates the same. Currently in most of the hotels men are preferred as cooks than ladies.
Also according to Kimmel men tend to scrutinize each other for signs of homosexuality and femininity (Kimmel, 1994, p. 16). In this article, it is evident that men in women roles fear the admiration of the other men of hegemonic ideals. The ideal is strongly heterosexual. This article and arguments from the other two articles are based in the past. With the changing society, the roles of men and women have been cut across. Men have embraced women roles while some women have embraced men roles as indicated by Padavic. Therefore, the argument of homosexuality based on roles is misplaced in the 21st century. These studies have demonstrated and made a significant understanding of gender and the feeling of how it is for a man to labor (Kerfoot and Knights, 1998, p. 123).
The common and major theme from the above arguments and articles is the benefits men get out of being the minority in the roles traditionally believed to belong to women. Also, the perception of men in women roles by other men holding hegemonic ideals is another theme. Some men are judged and perceived to be homosexuals due to their occupations. It has resulted in fear and a feeling of low esteem among men working in women-dominated occupations. Secondly in all the articles the feeling of how hard or simple to work as a man is evident. In all the articles, the benefits and the hardships men get from women-dominated occupations. Lastly, it shows the men’s acceptance of their minority status as an advantage in the women-dominated occupations.

Impact of Research on Findings

The research done by Simpson directly impacted in the findings made. The article’s findings were based on the interviews carried out by various men in various occupations traditionally believed to belong to women for instance nursing, cabin crew, librarians and primary school teachers. One of the findings was that men enjoy a lot of privileges in gender roles Simpson, 2004, 19). During the research various people interviewed did state the kind of privileges they get. For instance, many older women would take a protective mother role over the young male colleagues.
On the other hand, some findings were not influenced by the research done. Simpson did state that most men do not have the ambitions to rise into managerial or leadership positions (Simpson 2004, 38). At the research level, it is stated that librarians, cabin crew, some teachers, and nurses had the desire to rise the hierarchy of leadership to senior positions. According to my opinion, the findings as per the conducted research would have arrived at a conclusion that most men desire to rise the hierarchy to senior positions. Though it is not a motivating factor for them to join women roles.

Provoking Aspects

According to this article men enjoy benefits such as a greater pay when they are working in women roles (Simpson, 2004, p. 24). Indeed, this raises questions about what criteria an institution or organization uses to pay its workers based on gender differently. Secondly it would be seen as gender discrimination if this is taking place. It is therefore of critical essence that more research is done on this aspect to determine the extent to which gender plays in the development of payment strategy.
In the article, the aspect of fear among men working in women roles has been attributed to sexual discrimination (Simpson, 2004, p. 21). Also, it is of concern especially in the 21st century if one's sexuality is judged based on gender roles. It is evident in this century that there exist no more of gender roles since men have crossed over and have taken women roles, and women have taken men roles. It is, therefore, difficult to base once the sexuality on these roles. This aspect necessitates further research and analysis to correct this notion if it still exists.
Conclusion

References

Connell, R. (1995). Masculinities. University of California Press
Evans, J. (1997). Men in Nursing: Exploring the Male Nurse Experience, Nursing Enquiry
Kerfoot, D. and Knights, D. (1993). Management Masculinity and Manipulation: From
Paternalism to Corporate Strategy in Financial Services in Britain. Journal of Management Studies
Padavic, Irene and Barbara. F. Reskin. (2002). Women and Men at Work. (2nd ed). Thousand Oaks California: Pine Forge Press.
Kimmel, M. (1994). Masculinity as Homophobia: Fear Shame and Silence in the Construction of Gender Identity. In H. Brod and M. Kaufman (Eds). Theorising Masculinities. London: Sage
Simpson, R. (2004) Work Employment and Society, Uxbridge Campus; Vol 18, 2