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6.4.1 Sociocultural Factors
Evidence of symptoms of stress and discrimination are all changes experienced by
women due to the difficulties in adapting during higher education and making work
and family compatible. Women are asked to adapt to the industry without mourn.
The demands of a predominantly male industry have exacerbated the lack of trust
and given rise to a macho culture, both of which were identified in this study as the
most predominant sociocultural barriers. Participants in focus groups also expressed
possible actions to mitigate the adverse impact of the previously identified factors.
6.4.2 Lack of Trust
Regarding lack of trust, there were coincidences between the speeches of men and
women. Both affirm that it is a trait that is expressed in different ways since entry into
higher education, making it difficult for students to enter and stay in the industry.
Some of the discursive categories found are as follows: “they are more fragile”, “they
are afraid of the work environment”, “they are more introverted”, “they tend to keep
quiet”, “they are insecure because of their personality” and “they have less capacity to
hold back emotionally”. These factors exacerbate the perception of their male peers
who perceive them as unbelievable actors in their profession (Bartel and Dutton 2001).
… in critical thinking exercises they tend to remain silent... they are more introverted, ….
men are more critical... it seems to me. (Participant, individual interview, Chile)
There is still fear among women. (Participants, group interview, Colombia)
... there is a generalised thought that women are not ready to enter this world, because they
are very fragile... men tend to think that women have less capacity to think and much less
ability to hold back emotionally when there is a crisis or an emergency. These are the biggest barriers that need to be overcome. (Participant, individual interview, Chile)
6.4.3 The Macho Culture
The macho culture is expressed in the discourses in a transversal way; interviewed
women highlight the practices that exacerbate this cultural barrier in the classrooms:
“classmates make fun of women’s questions”; “men think women have less ability
to think.” “The boys have to accept women and leave the macho attitude”. On the
other hand, men’s speeches focus on the reactions of male students, with a certain
complacency, although they also highlight the strength of the traditionally male
culture, which is accentuated in the industry. Likewise, men and women agree on
the impact of the macho culture and the insufficient number of women to transform
the sector: “masculine vision predominates in the industry”, “the macho culture is
6 SDG 5 Gender Equality
6.4.1 Sociocultural Factors
Evidence of symptoms of stress and discrimination are all changes experienced by
women due to the difficulties in adapting during higher education and making work
and family compatible. Women are asked to adapt to the industry without mourn.
The demands of a predominantly male industry have exacerbated the lack of trust
and given rise to a macho culture, both of which were identified in this study as the
most predominant sociocultural barriers. Participants in focus groups also expressed
possible actions to mitigate the adverse impact of the previously identified factors.
6.4.2 Lack of Trust
Regarding lack of trust, there were coincidences between the speeches of men and
women. Both affirm that it is a trait that is expressed in different ways since entry into
higher education, making it difficult for students to enter and stay in the industry.
Some of the discursive categories found are as follows: “they are more fragile”, “they
are afraid of the work environment”, “they are more introverted”, “they tend to keep
quiet”, “they are insecure because of their personality” and “they have less capacity to
hold back emotionally”. These factors exacerbate the perception of their male peers
who perceive them as unbelievable actors in their profession (Bartel and Dutton 2001).
… in critical thinking exercises they tend to remain silent... they are more introverted, ….
men are more critical... it seems to me. (Participant, individual interview, Chile)
There is still fear among women. (Participants, group interview, Colombia)
... there is a generalised thought that women are not ready to enter this world, because they
are very fragile... men tend to think that women have less capacity to think and much less
ability to hold back emotionally when there is a crisis or an emergency. These are the biggest barriers that need to be overcome. (Participant, individual interview, Chile)
6.4.3 The Macho Culture
The macho culture is expressed in the discourses in a transversal way; interviewed
women highlight the practices that exacerbate this cultural barrier in the classrooms:
“classmates make fun of women’s questions”; “men think women have less ability
to think.” “The boys have to accept women and leave the macho attitude”. On the
other hand, men’s speeches focus on the reactions of male students, with a certain
complacency, although they also highlight the strength of the traditionally male
culture, which is accentuated in the industry. Likewise, men and women agree on
the impact of the macho culture and the insufficient number of women to transform
the sector: “masculine vision predominates in the industry”, “the macho culture is
6 SDG 5 Gender Equality