Men & Women and Tools

Bridging the Divide

Marcia Braundy

Although there have been many equity initiatives to encourage women to train and work in the trades, Canadian women still represent less than 3 percent of tradesworkers. Why does this disparity continue to exist? In Men & Women and Tools, Marcia Braundy — herself a tradesperson — explores this issue by focusing on male resistance to the inclusion of women in technical work. Early in her research, Braundy conducted an interview with several male and female tradespeople. Finding this interview rich with deeply ingrained notions of masculinity and female roles, Braundy constructs a short play from their words. Deconstructing the play line by line, this book weaves together scholarly research and lived experience to explore the historical and cultural origins of the ideas expressed.

Contents

• Preface
• Prologue
• Data as Evocation
• Dataplay: Men & Women and Tools
• Gender, Masculinity and Work
• Difference in Gender and Class Analysis
• Epilogue
• Appendices
• References
 

About the Author

Marcia Braundy is a multidisciplinary academic/feminist who keeps her hand in as a construction carpenter, multimedia project manager, educator, author and social change activist.