Exploring the Norwegian paradox of vertical sex segregation: strategies and experiences in politics, academia and company boards
Abstract
On all international measures of gender equality Scandinavian countries emerge as more
equal with Norway as the most equal of countries. Yet, despite an apparent equality,
vertical segregation is resilient in Scandinavian countries. The use of affirmative action
(AA) has been offered as a potential way to challenge inequality and occupational sex
segregation, yet, as illustrated by Acker (2006b) these strategies often fail. Few studies
have investigated women’s experience of gender segregation in Norway, moreover, we
know little of the experience of women in occupations influenced by AA strategies.
This thesis aims to contribute to understanding the experience of women in the ‘most
equal of countries’ and it draws on Acker’s (2006b) ‘inequality regimes’ as an
analytical framework. This thesis takes a multilevel approach to explore gendering
practices within Norway in three occupational groups; politics, academia and corporate
boards of directors to understand the processes underpinning vertical segregation. The
rationale for focusing on these three occupational groups lies in the nature of the groups
and their use of AA, as well as the different representation of women. The thesis builds
on a variety of methods of both a qualitative and quantitative nature and will
demonstrate the nature of the interrelationship of structural factors and individual
agency in understanding the Norwegian paradox. In particular, 66 in-depth interviews
with women employed in senior positions within the three occupational groups form the
key method. In addition, the thesis draws on secondary quantitative data to situate
women in the three occupational groups and in Norway.
Findings reveal that the idea of Norway’s equality is still more of an aspiration than
reality as gender inequality regimes are present in politics, academia, and boards of
directors, but they take different forms. The thesis finds that Norwegian organisations
are not gender neutral; instead they provide a set of institutional conditions that
encourage forms of vertical segregation. In particular, the thesis identifies the
importance of political strategies, both related to AA as well as welfare for improving
equality. Nevertheless, the thesis also acknowledges the complexity of these strategies
and the importance of designing country and occupational group specific strategies in
order to progress. The thesis uncovers the resilience of gendered social processes in
women’s exclusion but also highlights the fewer and more constrained conditions under
which ‘woman’ may also have an advantage. Hence, this thesis contributes to the
literature on occupational sex segregation and AA.
Authors
Seierstad, CathrineCollections
- Theses [3919]