Revisiting the gendered ideal worker norm: An ethnography in Chinese non-governmental organizations

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study revisits the concept of the “ideal worker,” situating it within the context of the re-traditionalization of Chinese gender relations and the contemporary landscape of Chinese NGOs, thereby offering novel insights into the gendered division of labor. The study provides a critical analysis of the feminization of Chinese NGOs, challenging the notion that it represents a progressive social movement. Instead, this study reveals how this trend inadvertently reinforces the intertwined structures of organizational dynamics and gender relations. This study also explores how demanding and low-paid work environments in Chinese NGOs create an imbalance between family and work responsibilities leading to the emergence of “ideal worker” archetypes that represent employees who dedicate long hours to work, with family responsibilities taking a secondary role. These archetypes, embodied by both men and women in actual work settings, are subject to markedly different societal evaluations. While the man ideal worker is often celebrated and rewarded, the woman ideal worker faces criticism for her non-traditional, feminist lifestyle choices. Overall, the study empirically demonstrates the unique formation of the gendered ideal worker in Chinese NGOs and illustrates how gendered norms are perpetuated in both professional and domestic settings.