THE FUTURE OF WOMEN IN THE CANADIAN MEDIA

Abstract

In spite of the proliferation of serious studies concerning women and work, one striking trend has until now remained relatively unnoticed. Women's increased participation in the general labor force has not resulted in a parallel increase in their participation in the higher professions. According to Canadian statistics, the representation of women in the labor force has tripled since the turn of the century to its present 39%, yet in the professions it has remained virtually constant at about 19%. This gross figure is, however, misleading. It obscures the fact that 83% of all women in this category are found in the semiprofessions. They are nurses or lower paid secondary school teachers, they are working at below professional level in natural science, engineering, mathematics, medicine and law. Though it is difficult to determine exactly how many Canadian women are in this category, D.S. figures indicate that, since 1900, the relative female representation in the prestige occupations has declined from 12% to 10%. Using journalism as an example, this paper will explore why women's professional representation has remained virtually unchanged. It will also discuss the implications of this trend for the future of women seeking careers in the Canadian media.