Being the one and only lady in the office, in our work environment, of course has its advantages. The women's toilet is always empty and no one "steals" our women's accessories. But believe it or not, a recent study found that women in male-dominated workforces may actually be at high risk for some serious health problems.
A recent study conducted by American Sociological Association, looked at 440 women who worked in fields where at least 85 percent of the jobs were held by men (occupations such as construction supervisors, engineers, painters and groundskeepers). They found that women who had only 15 percent of same-sex coworkers showed unhealthy cortisol levels (a stress hormone that is secreted in the body during stressful situations).
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On the University Indiana University wrote that previous research had already shown that women working in male-dominated occupations they face special challenges. They meet with social isolation, performance pressures, sexual harassment, mobility barriers, doubts from colleagues, low level of social support at the workplace and moments of both high visibility and invisibility. Chronic exposure to these types of social stressors by dysregulating the human body's stress response causes susceptibility to disease and mortality.
In layman's terms: The constant battle at work exposes women to high cortisol levels, and high cortisol levels lead to health problems such as insomnia, depression or even liver problems.
This study should certainly not dissuade us from our desired career path, even if it belongs in the current male-dominated industry. Instead, she should initiate a much-needed conversation about gender equality in the workplace.
More information about the study:
eurekalert.org
