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Rationalizing the postfeminist paradox: The case of UK women veterinary professionals

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  • Lorna Treanor
  • Susan Marlow
  • Janine Swail

Abstract

This article critically evaluates how highly qualified women veterinary surgeons make sense of their constrained professional career progression in a context of postfeminism. Postfeminism posits that agentic individualism, combined with professional accreditation, generates a meritocratic pathway for career attainment. A dilemma emerges in the form of a postfeminist paradox however, as this rhetoric of opportunity is not translated into a reality of achievement. To make sense of this dilemma, women can either assume blame for their lack of career progression or accept the presence of discriminatory bias, contrary to postfeminist assumptions of individual opportunities premised upon agency. To illustrate these arguments, we explore how these professional women rationalize their constrained career progression and in the process, illustrate the impact of postfeminism upon the psychic lives of individual women.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorna Treanor & Susan Marlow & Janine Swail, 2021. "Rationalizing the postfeminist paradox: The case of UK women veterinary professionals," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 337-360, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:28:y:2021:i:1:p:337-360
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12568
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elisabeth Kelan, 2009. "Gender as an Ideological Dilemma," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Performing Gender at Work, chapter 6, pages 145-181, Palgrave Macmillan.
    2. Yvonne Benschop & Patricia Lewis & Ruth Simpson & Rosalind Gill & Elisabeth K. Kelan & Christina M. Scharff, 2017. "A Postfeminist Sensibility at Work," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(3), pages 226-244, May.
    3. Ozbilgin, Mustafa F. & Tsouroufli, Maria & Smith, Merryn, 2011. "Understanding the interplay of time, gender and professionalism in hospital medicine in the UK," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(10), pages 1588-1594, May.
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