Understanding changes in levels of occupational sex segregation in Sweden and Europe during half a century

External project members:
Professor Magnus Nermo, Sociologiska institutionen, Stockholms universitet.

Previous research points out that despite ranking high on gender equality Sweden and other Nordic countries have relatively high levels of occupational gender segregation. Explanations for this paradox often emphasize institutional factors, eg high female labor force participation and large public sectors. Also, it has been argued that gender equality per se is linked to higher levels of occupational gender segregation. The logic is that occupational preferences are essentially different for men and women which manifests as gendered occupational choices in countries with high levels of gender equality, as these countries also are characterized by high individualism and self-realization. There is however one fundamental problem with the above reasoning: recent studies show that Sweden no longer is among the countries with high degrees of occupational gender segregation. Nor are the Nordic countries homogeneous in terms of the levels of occupational gender segregation. There is currently no consensus as regards what factors that are associated with changing levels of occupational gender segregation. Since occupational gender segregation implies a skew distribution of power, high wages and good working conditions between men and women it is important to comprehend underlying mechanisms of occupational gender segregation. The aim of this project is to understand changing trends in occupational gender segregation focusing on Sweden across time and in a comparative European perspective.

Project objective

The purpose of this project is to examine mechanisms related to changing levels of occupational gender segregation.