Women's Work: Choice, Chance or Socialization?

Susan Manningham teaches sociology at Queen’s University in Kingston.

Is a woman’s choice of occupation an informed and conscious one? Or is
it a matter of luck or chance? Do we really know what we want or are we
socialized to accept what we get? These important issues are explored in
this book. What makes it a good read for all women, and not just for the
professional counselors for whom it was written, is the format. Rather
than rehashing theories and statistics about women and work with which
we are all too familiar, Smith and Leduc bring 10 prominent researchers
together for an informal and informative discussion about the forces
that shape women’s work. The interviews are conducted individually,
the style is relaxed and free of jargon, and the connections between
these women, and indeed all women, quickly become apparent.

A wide range of women-related topics are covered in this book. What
happens on university campuses to quench a woman’s passion for a
career? What special obstacles do gifted women encounter? Why are there
so few women in science- and math-related careers? What health, safety,
and educational issues push women out of nontraditional jobs?

The conclusion summarizes common concerns and themes arising from the
interviews, with a view to their meaning for the lives of women in
general. Choice, chance, and socialization have all played a part in the
destinies of the women who contributed to this book. They offer their
experience, insights, and expertise in the hope of increasing the
chances for informed choice in this equation.