I’ve recently done some research on women in male dominated
industries and the effect it has on their life both physically and
romantically. To be honest, I was shocked by the research out there. And not
only that, but, I was shocked by the stigma single women get from men when they
work in an industry dominated by man.
Let’s address the stigma first because, I don’t understand
it. Maybe you require a penis to understand the “logic” on this one. But it
seems ridiculous to me.
Men seem to believe women who are single in a male dominated
industries are broken, or damaged or in some way faulty. Their “logic” seems to
be if they can't get a guy with that number of men around them, they're not worth
having.
These guys clearly have forgotten the golden rule “don’t
shit where you eat!” Do not mix business with pleasure, it’s a horrible idea.
And when you disqualify the guys you’re around 50 hours a week, it’s hard to
find a man that can handle their partner being around men 50 hours a week. I’ve
worked in transport over a decade and I can count on 1 hand the amount of men
that have been ok with my job and most of them worked in the industry
themselves.
We’re definitely not broken, at least not any more so than other women,
the system just doesn’t work in our favor. Unless, of course, you plan to climb
the company ladder wrong by wrong.
What I was really surprised by is all the research regarding
the negative health effects working in a male dominated industry has on women.
Where was that warning when I started my career 10 years ago? They are physical
risks like women tend to have higher cholesterol and nutritional deficits. And
then there’s the mental risks that are even scarier.
Research has found that in a male dominated work place, the
hormone found when a person is stressed is on average 15% higher in women than
in a man doing the same job. Add in other factors such as lack of support,
workplace harassment and sexual harassment and the risk of mental issues pile
up. The number of women who work in a male dominated environment that are
prescribed medication for mental issues is scary. Some studies have the figure
as high as 70%.
Those figures, actually back up something I’ve said over
recent years. I can’t cope with dating and my work life. The men at work drain
me mentally and when I get home, I can’t deal with bullshit. I’m snappy and
lack almost all patience. Things need to either work effortlessly or I’m out.
And since you’re meant to work at a healthy relationship. I am out.
I started my research hoping to find out it was possible to
have a healthy relationship while working in a male industry and I’m even less
sure than I was before. The odds are
simply not with us. I’m not about to say it's impossible. We pick “impossible” career
paths so women in these industries know how to beat the odds. It’s just not as
easy or straight forward. And personally, it’s not a fight I am willing to go
through at the moment, but for the right guy I am sure it’s possible.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and as
always. Stay and play safe.
Love,
The Honest Bitch
xoxo
