Expanding Research on Working Women More Globally: Identifying and Remediating Current Blindspots

• Published in: Journal of social issues Vol. 76; no. 3; pp. 744 - 772
• Main Authors: Traylor, Allison M., Ng, Linnea C., Corrington, Abby, Skorinko, Jeanine L. M., Hebl, Michelle R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-09-2020
• Subjects: Concept formation; Developed countries; Educational programs; Employment; Female employees; Inequality; Menstruation; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Protection; Sex discrimination; Sexual harassment; Social issues; Unpaid; Women; Work; Work environment; Working parents; Working women; Workplaces
• ISSN: 0022-4537; 1540-4560
• DOI: 10.1111/josi.12395

Despite numerous calls for more culturally diverse research on women and work, research continues to predominantly study Western and developed countries. In this article, we summarize 10 critical blindspots in existing research. These 10 blind spots are (1) a narrow conceptualization of what work means, (2) limited access to educational and training opportunities, (3) underexamined barriers to employment, (4) pay inequities and unpaid work, (5) disparate views of sexual harassment and its acceptability in the workplace, (6) gender‐based discrimination in the work environment, (7) an absence in addressing menstrual‐related issues that impede women's success, (8) unaddressed issues with a work‐life interface, (9) a lack of support for working parents, and (10) a lack of legal protection for working women. We define what these issues are, what research exists, and why these blind spots are necessary to address in order to understand women at work across global contexts. We discuss how the research published in this issue of the Journal of Social Issues addresses some of these topics, and suggest how research can continue to advance our knowledge.