Work as a Masculinity Contest: Measurement, Manifestation, and Management

Abstract

This symposium presents an integrated set of studies that examine norms and values in organizational cultures of masculinity contest. We examine how what it takes to succeed in male-dominated occupations and roles may appear neutral on the surface yet implicitly engage gender identities so that “real men&x201D; are the ones most likely to thrive. This work is the culmination of a large group effort of scholars led by Jennifer Berdahl and Joan Williams, including sociologists, organizational researchers, psychologists, and diversity practitioners and consultants who have met over two years to theorize and design studies. The first paper discusses the conceptualization of masculinity contest organizational cultures, and presents the development of a measure (Berdahl, Glick, Alonso et al.). The second paper compares masculinity contest cultures in three different male-dominated occupations (Reid, O'Neill & Blair-Loy). The third paper examines male- on-male gender harassment as a masculinity contest (Alonso & Berdahl). The fourth paper presents questions raised by sexual harassment training, and new theory on approaching it, the masculinity contest culture of policing (Rawski & Workman-Stark).