Abstract
One response of women in a small minority among men in a workplace or occupation is to seek out the company of other women in a similar situation for support or solidarity, and several groups have been established in the construction and transport sectors for this purpose. This chapter is concerned with women’s attitudes towards, and experiences of, participation in support structures and networks established for women or LGBT workers. Interviewees participated in a variety of types of networks, and this chapter examines three forms: women-only professional or industry networks, women’s or LGBT staff networks established by employers within organisations, and trade union structures for women and LGBT members. By examining participation in both women’s and LGBT networks, the chapter considers whether heterosexual women and lesbians express different motivations or identifications in seeking support.
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Notes
- 1.
There may be many factors constraining women’s participation in support networks or trade unions, most notably lack of time due to domestic commitments, but this chapter is concerned with how attitudes, identity and organisational processes affect participation.
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Wright, T. (2016). Support and Solidarity: Networks and Trade Unions. In: Gender and Sexuality in Male-Dominated Occupations. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-50136-3_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-50136-3_6
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