Attitudes Toward Women Coal Miners in an Appalachian Coal Community

Abstract

Attempts to explain labor force behavior of women generally employ human capital or dual labor market models. Human capital models stress the constraints of women's domestic roles, while dual labor market models focus on constraints women face in the work place. In traditional, rural communities, entry of women into jobs dominated by men also may be constrained by community factors not included in these models. In an Appalachian coal mining community, a survey revealed that the overall level of negative sentiment toward women coal miners was substantial and varied by gender role. Although male coal miners generally were negative toward female miners as coworkers, they strongly supported women's right to coal mine jobs. In contrast, female homemakers were somewhat more favorable toward women as coal miners, but they were less likely to support women's right to hold jobs in coal mines. There is evidence that attitudes toward women coal miners are changing. Futhermore, findings suggest that existing models u...