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‘I Wanted More Women in, but . . .’: Oblique Resistance to Gender Equality Initiatives

Author

Listed:
  • Owain Smolović Jones

    (Open University, UK)

  • Sanela Smolović Jones

    (Open University, UK)

  • Scott Taylor

    (University of Birmingham, UK)

  • Emily Yarrow

    (University of Portsmouth, UK)

Abstract

Despite many interventions designed to change the gender demographics of positional leadership roles in organizations and professions, women continue to be under-represented in most arenas. Here we explore gender equality (GE) interventions through the example of positive discrimination quotas in politics to develop an understanding of resistance to them. Our case is the British Labour Party, analysing interviews with the people who designed, implemented and resisted the system of all-women shortlists. We develop the notion of ‘oblique resistance’ to describe an indirect form of resistance to the erosion of patriarchal power, which never directly confronts the issue of GE, yet actively undermines it. Oblique resistance is practised in three key ways: through appeals to ethics, by marking territory and in appeals to convention. We conclude by considering the conceptual and practical implications of oblique resistance, when direct and more overt resistance to GE is increasingly socially unacceptable.

Suggested Citation

  • Owain Smolović Jones & Sanela Smolović Jones & Scott Taylor & Emily Yarrow, 2021. "‘I Wanted More Women in, but . . .’: Oblique Resistance to Gender Equality Initiatives," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 35(4), pages 640-656, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:35:y:2021:i:4:p:640-656
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017020936871
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michelle Peterie & Gaby Ramia & Greg Marston & Roger Patulny, 2019. "Emotional Compliance and Emotion as Resistance: Shame and Anger among the Long-Term Unemployed," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 33(5), pages 794-811, October.
    2. Negin Sattari & Rebecca L. Sandefur, 2019. "Gender in academic STEM: A focus on men faculty," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(2), pages 158-179, March.
    3. Mingzhu Wang & Elisabeth Kelan, 2013. "The Gender Quota and Female Leadership: Effects of the Norwegian Gender Quota on Board Chairs and CEOs," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 117(3), pages 449-466, October.
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