Inequality on the Rails: A Qualitative Study of Women's Experiences in the Railroad Industry
| dc.contributor.advisor | Giuffre, Patti | |
| dc.contributor.author | Starustka, Kathleen Lowry | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Watt, Toni | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Cancino, Jeffrey | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2013-11-14T21:27:04Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2013-11-14T21:27:04Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2013-11 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study focuses on women who work in the railroad industry as a case study of male-dominated occupations. My theoretical approach utilizes Acker’s theory of gendered organizations to explore how the railroad industry continues to marginalize women by incorporating structures that are modeled by male ideology. I use qualitative methods that include face-to-face interviews and email correspondence with 18 women who are either currently employed or have previously worked for a railroad. My findings reveal several gendered practices in railroad work. Harassment towards the women I interviewed from male coworkers is common, particularly by their immediate supervisors. Inadequate layoff policies adversely affect women with children forcing some to choose between their jobs or having a family. Unions do very little to protect women railroad workers, leaving them vulnerable to unfair treatment by their employers. I conclude with the shortcomings of my study and suggestions for future research to examine why women do not seek out the high paying jobs railroads offer | |
| dc.description.department | Sociology | |
| dc.format | Text | |
| dc.format.extent | 70 pages | |
| dc.format.medium | 1 file (.pdf) | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Starustka, K. L. (2013). <i>Inequality on the Rails: A Qualitative Study of Women's Experiences in the Railroad Industry</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10877/4863 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.subject | Railroads | |
| dc.subject | Women | |
| dc.subject | Female | |
| dc.subject | Male-dominated occupations | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Women railroad employees | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Railroads--Social aspects | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Sex discrimination against women--United States | en_US |
| dc.title | Inequality on the Rails: A Qualitative Study of Women's Experiences in the Railroad Industry | |
| dc.type | Thesis | |
| thesis.degree.department | Sociology | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Sociology | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Texas State University | |
| thesis.degree.level | Masters | |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Arts |