Women: Would you apply for a dangerous job? Like in the military? Why or why not?

Question

I've heard that women avoid dangerous jobs, so that's why men are paid so much to perform these jobs (I guess because less people apply for them?) Do you think women avoid dangerous jobs more than men? Why or why not? Would you be worried about applying for a job that was considered a "man's job"? Would you worry about how you would be treated by your co-workers?

Many women are in the US military and more and more are on the front lines. But instead of less women applying for the military, the numbers have increased, and when they get permission to apply for more dangerous positions, they do. So are women really afraid to apply for dangerous jobs, or are there other factors at play?

Answer 1

I don't think women are actually afraid of the jobs themselves. I believe they are more afraid of the hostility they will enounter from their co-workers than anything else.

Answer 2

Women may avoid those "dangerous" jobs simply due to the way we were raised... boys play with guns and girls play with dolls. Men do the dangerous stuff Women stay home and raise kids... Crap but that's the way I was raised.

Now that said, If I or another women applied for a job, any job dangerous or not, and was the most qualified for that job then she should get the job. I was in a job that was concidered a "man's" job for a while and yes men can be just as back-stabing and petty as some women I know. In fact I left the job because of the treaent and they promptly hired a man and paid him more to start than I was making after 10 years with the company!

As for the military.. I was a Sergent in the United States Air Force and the possiblitiy of being in a dangerous situation was every day. Even if my job wasn't concidered dangerous the potential was there for a life changing/taking situation EVERY DAY. Planes crash, enemy attacks, things explode. And I would do it all over again if I could! I wanted to re-up during Desert Storm but sadly I'm to old. As for the "no women in combat" the rule is;
Women can be in a combat support role only. Now that means that the closest we can be to the front lines is 10 miles.. How is that not dangerous? We can fly KC 130's 141's ... support Hell we can fly the fighters! How is that not dangerous?
The no women in combat rule is from the the men thinking the guys wuld spend all there time protecting us and not doin their jobs!!! Watch us!
BTW My sister was Army!!
So nope not afraid.. hell if we were afraid of it we wouldn't have kids! Thats the scariest job in the world!!

Answer 3

We women have as much courage as men.

(Maybe more! Do you know any man who could stand a 9 month pregnancy and giving birth? Neither do I!)

If I were much younger, I would apply for whatever job appealed to me. Danger is exciting, and surviving danger is an even greater thrill.

In 1965 I began work in a position where women are generally only seen in the office. I eventually bought the company and would put on a hard hat and go on consultations. Sometimes a man would come into the facility and ask me if the "boss man" was around. I would smile, and say, "You're looking at her".

I enjoyed blazing a trail in the industry, and I had a loyal following.

I was always treated with the utmost courtesy. I did not play the fluttery female, just a competent person doing a good job.

Answer 4

I was a taxi cab driver n Seattle from 1981 to 1992 and only the 2nd woman the company had ever hired. Back in the late 70s I managed a gas station. I applied for both jobs because I needed a job and had the necessary skills. I never really thought about either being a "Man's Job" though I had friends who made quite a fuss.

Dangerous jobs pay more because the doing of the job could result in death or serious permanent injury. Historically, these are jobs men did, though during WWII women turned out in droves to do men's jobs left open by men going to war. When the men returned, the women were returned to their traditional duties at home and hearth.

The 60s and 70s were when many tradition gender roles transitioned to what we have now. It was because of things done in the 60s and 70s that women are on the front lines, and phrases like "Don't worry your pretty little head over that" and patting strange women on the behind are no longer considered "harmless". There was even a time when a woman was unable to press assault/rape charges on her husband (ask me how I know, but if you do, be prepared for the answer).

For some women, I imagine, at some point doing a dangerous job conflicts with reproduction and/or the safety of their unborn children. For others, they might reconsider if they believe the men in their lives would feel threatened, and then there are some dangerous jobs that the majority of women simply do not have the physical strength necessary. Please note I said "majority of women" -- I've met some women who were *scary* strong. On the other hand, I've met men totally unsuited for work of *any* kind.

And for the record, the gas station was sold out from under me by the oil company that owned it (the oil company had been using it as a tax write-off and me and my crew made it a profitable concern) and I was retired from cab driving by a disabling car accident.

It all boils down to the individual woman, how she was raised, and how she feels about herself as a human being. My mother taught me I could do anything and Daddy backed that up by showing me how to maintain my car.

I believe some of the other factors at play include that it isn't so much women being afraid to apply for dangerous jobs, but that (1) vestiges of the Good Old Boy network still exist, and (2) woman weigh the pros and cons of high pay over high risk; what good is big money if you aren't around to spend it?

. <--- a grain of salt to go with my opinion

Answer 5

Firstly, women aren't allowed in combat roles in the U.S. that's not the women speaking that's some arbitrary sexist rule. We have to be kept safe and out of harms way.

Secondly, you couldn't pay me enough to join the military, let alone go on the front line, but there are women that are not only more than willing to do dangerous jobs but are more than capable as well, without any ridiculous double standard that lowers the requirement.

If there was a dangerous job that I was interested in and had the capacity to work said job I would apply. I don't think women avoid the dangerous jobs I think they are discouraged by the employer, by society, by family and friends. But there are women who do apply for tasks such as police officer, firefighter, construction work etc.

Answer 6

I think it depends on the type of woman applying. I have no problem with dangerous work but some women prefer to do nothing more harmful than change the ink in a printer. I have no problem doing work that is considered mans work in my experience more men have problems doing women's work. If a person is capable of doing the job and can prove them self there is no reason to worry about treatment from co workers.

Answer 7

women apply dangerous job military

Answer 8

I was never in the military but I did work forensic psychiatry in the field for 15 years. I went into neighborhoods overrun with crack houses to see my patients. There were times when I was a bit scared. I always wore my nurse scrubs and my ID badge. The people got used to me and left me alone. I only had to go at night a few times, I did not like it. My job was a bit dangerous. I know one thing, I could never be a police officer. Now that is also very dangerous and you don't see women getting desk jobs when they are on the police force. So much is said about the military, but no one ever credits our brave police officers both men and women. Even delivering pizza at night can be dangerous and I remember in nursing school a female friend of mine did that to pay for school. I drove taxicab to pay for my school. We do what we can to move ahead, both male and female.

Answer 9

I already work a dangerous job (Armed Nuclear Security (tactical) at a Nuclear Power Plant). I was in the Marine Corps before this. There are plenty of women in my department here and they are generally hard working individuals. Of course there are the 1%ers who make the rest of us look bad but you will find that anywhere. I do not believe that women avoid "dangerous jobs" any more than men do.

Thanks for the good question! :)

Answer 10

Why is this even a WOMAN'S issue? Just because you HEARD that women avoid dangerous jobs, doesn't mean that it's true.

The fact is that MOST people avoid dangerous jobs. That is the nature of danger. People tend to avoid danger.

What appears to be happening is increased ACCEPTANCE of women in hazzardous occupations. Women have been clamoring for opportunities, such as combat, for years. In fact, women have been in combat for centuries. American Civil War, Revolutionary War, French Revolution and even father back.

The question was asked, of one of the military leaders during the Vietnam Conflict, about women in combat roles. His answer was that Americans were not ready to see women coming home in body bags. He forgot that many women died in Vietnam, from random bombings and sniping. Now, the differences is that, at least, some women get a chance to shoot back.

Answer 11

I would never apply for a dangerous job or a job that usually is done by a man. There are reasons why some men do certain jobs better than women and vice versa.