Tracey L. Adams

Feminization of Professions: The Case of Women in Dentistry

The potential impact of feminization upon professions is examined through a case study of the Ontario dental profession. Women are entering dentistry in larger numbers, and if women practice differently than men, then their increased participation may alter the nature of dental practice. Using data from a survey of dentists in Ontario conducted in 2002 (N=484), this study finds that there are very few differences between male and female dentists in terms of practice characteristics and attitudes towards practise. Although men and women tend to differ in their practice type and average income, they, on average, resemble one another in terms of working hours, practice location and professional attitudes. Nevertheless, age emerged as an important mediating factor and some gender differences do exist amongst the younger cohorts of dentists. The implications of these findings for dentistry, and the feminization of professions more generally, are discussed.

Sociology of professions: international divergences and research directions

This article considers points of convergence and divergence in English-language publications in the sociology of professions. While research on professions in the US, UK, Canada and Western Europe shares many similarities, UK researchers have devoted more attention to professional regulation, while their US counterparts focus instead on organizational challenges facing professionals. Contrasting these empirical and theoretical approaches opens up new research directions, and highlights the importance of socio-historical and cultural context to professions. More international and comparative work is required to develop a better understanding of professions and professional regulation.

Skill, education and credentials in the new economy: the case of information technology workers:

According to many social commentators, we live in a ‘new economy’ in which the nature of work is changing at a rapid pace. Technological change, organizational restructuring, and globalization appear to be having a dramatic impact on the nature and availability of work. Many researchers have demonstrated how labour in the new economy is increasingly contingent and insecure (Castells, 2000a; Cranford et al., 2003; Kalleberg, 2000). Workers face greater risk and uncertainty (Beck, 2000; Castells, 2000a; Smith, 1997). They are encouraged to be flexible, adaptable, and accepting of frequent changes in job content and location (Castells, 2000b; Smith, 1997). While some commentators argue that these changes allow workers more autonomy, flexibility and creativity, others emphasize experiences of job loss, insecurity and stress (Cranford et al., 2003; Sennett, 1998). Widely debated is the impact of this so-called ‘new economy’ upon workers’ skills and education patterns. Over the past several decades, some researchers have argued that economic and technological change has increased the demand for skilled, educated workers (Bell, 1973). Expanding use of computer technologies is said not only to raise, but also to change, the skills required at work, increasing demand for people with problem-solving and analytical skills (Zuboff, 1988: 75). For many observers, the new economy is a knowledge economy, where intelligence and education are rewarded and valued as never before (Karoly and Panis, 2004). Statistics reveal steady growth in jobs requiring higher education, especially in the information technology field

An ecological approach to understanding barriers to employment for youth with disabilities compared to their typically developing peers: views of youth, employers, and job counselors

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which youth with physical disabilities encounter different barriers to finding employment compared to their typically developing peers. Methods: This study draws on 50 qualitative in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 31 youth (16 typically developing and 15 with a disability), and youth employers and job counselors knowledgeable about employment readiness among adolescents (n = 19). We utilize Bronfrebrenner’s ecological framework to reveal the complex web of factors shaping youth’s labor market outcomes. Results: Only half of youth with a disability were working or looking for work compared to their peers. The findings show this was a result of different expectations of, and attitudes toward, youth with disabilities. For many youth with a disability, their peers, family and social networks often acted as a barrier to getting a job. Many youth also lacked independence and life skills that are needed to get a job (i.e. self-care and navigating public transportation) compared to their peers. Job counselors focused on linking youth to employers and mediating parental concerns. Employers appeared to have weaker links to youth with disabilities. System level barriers included lack of funding and policies to enhance disability awareness among employers. Conclusions: Youth with physical disabilities encounter some similar barriers to finding employment compared to their typically developing peers but in a stronger way. Barriers to employment exist at several levels including individual, sociostructural and environmental. The results highlight that although there are several barriers to employment for young people at the microsystem level, they are linked with larger social and environmental barriers. Implications for Rehabilitation Clinicians working with youth should promote the development of skills that can lead to improved self-confidence and communication skills for youth. Encourage the development of extracurricular activities and social networking to build these skills and to make contacts for finding employment. Clinicians should support youth with disabilities and their parents in practicing independence skills (such as self-care, self-advocacy and navigating public transportation) they need prior to seeking employment. Vocational rehabilitation professionals should educate youth on how to disclose their condition to a potential employer, how to ask for ask for accommodations and how to market their abilities. Clinicians should help to link youth with disabilities to volunteer opportunities and to employers. Advocate for disability awareness training for employers regarding how to accommodate people with disabilities and the potential they offer in the workplace.

Skill development in an employment-training program for adolescents with disabilities

Purpose: Relatively little is known about the first employment experiences and skill development of youth with disabilities. The purpose of this study is to explore the skills gained by adolescents with disabilities who have completed an employment-training program. Methods: In-depth, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 adolescents with a physical and/or mobility-related disability. The youth and their parents also completed a brief questionnaire about their experience in the program and we reviewed their self- and staff-assessments that were completed throughout the program. Results: The findings highlight how adolescents with disabilities developed several practical, social and communication skills, and self-confidence over the course of an employment-training program. Despite personal gains, youth reported challenges in their post-program search for employment. Conclusions: Youth valued involvement in the workforce and perceived that through their participation they developed important life skills. Implications for Rehabilitation Educators and health care providers should be awar that teens with disabilities as young as 15 years old are thinking about their future and looking for employment experience. Educators and clinicians can assist youth and their families by talking about the benefits of involvement in volunteering and providing practical suggestions for how to get involved, including discussing the strengths and areas for skill development. At a community level, advocacy can raise awareness of the importance of early work experience and the potential contributions of youth with disabilities. Advocacy should target community employers, but also increased government funding for employmenttraining programs and employment transition supports for this age group.

Dentistry and medical dominance

In this study, I explore the relationship between medicine and dentistry in Ontario between 1868 and 1918. Examination of the rise of dentistry and medical-dental relations reveals that medicine never came to dominate dentistry to the extent it did other health care occupations. The combination of four factors enabled dentistry to avoid outright medical dominance in Ontario. First, dentistry organized and professionalized at approximately the same time as did medicine in Ontario. Second, dentistrys jurisdiction remained somewhat separate from medicines. Third, unlike other health care occupations, the dental profession never challenged medicines claims to knowledge or expertise. Fourth, dental and medical leaders shared gender and class backgrounds, identities, and goals that discouraged conflict between them. The importance of these four factors and their implications for future research into inter-professional relations and medical dominance are discussed.

Employers’ and employment counselors’ perceptions of desirable skills for entry-level positions for adolescents: how does it differ for youth with disabilities?

Today’s youth face high unemployment and other labor-market challenges; these challenges are often worse for youth with disabilities. This paper explores what employers and employment counselors look for when hiring youth into entry-level jobs and whether they believe youth with disabilities have fewer skills than those without. This study used a qualitative design with a purposive sample of 19 youth employers and employment counselors. Our findings show that youth employers and employment counselors identify the following traits as enhancing young workers’ employability: a well-prepared job applicant; job fit and a good attitude; and soft skills. We find youth with disabilities are perceived to be at a disadvantage. Consistent with a rising body of research, the emphasis on soft skills, and pliability, opens the door for employment discrimination.

Exploring employment readiness through mock job interview and workplace role-play exercises: comparing youth with physical disabilities to their typically developing peers.

Abstract Purpose: To assess performance differences in a mock job interview and workplace role-play exercise for youth with disabilities compared to their typically developing peers. Methods: We evaluated a purposive sample of 31 youth (15 with a physical disability and 16 typically developing) on their performance (content and delivery) in employment readiness role-play exercises. Results: Our findings show significant differences between youth with disabilities compared to typically developing peers in several areas of the mock interview content (i.e. responses to the questions: “tell me about yourself”, “how would you provide feedback to someone not doing their share” and a problem-solving scenario question) and delivery (i.e. voice clarity and mean latency). We found no significant differences in the workplace role-play performances of youth with and without disabilities. Conclusions: Youth with physical disabilities performed poorer in some areas of a job interview compared to their typically developing peers. They could benefit from further targeted employment readiness training. Implications for Rehabilitation Clinicians should: Coach youth with physical disability on how to “sell” their abilities to potential employers and encourage youth to get involved in volunteer activities and employment readiness training programs. Consider using mock job interviews and other employment role-play exercises as assessment and training tools for youth with physical disabilities. Involve speech pathologists in the development of employment readiness programs that address voice clarity as a potential delivery issue.

The metamorphosis of a collaborative team: from creation to operation

Abstract This paper reports on the process of developing a community-based interprofessional team to provide diabetes related foot ulcer care. A new interprofessional team was formed in a local community, and the process of building a successful team was examined by the adoption of an exploratory qualitative case study approach that gathered a series of one-on-one interviews with participants at three points in time – prior to the team’s formation, two months into the team’s operation, and finally seven months later – shortly before the team and its clinic closed. Interviews were also conducted with a small sample of the team’s patients. The factors linked to the successes and challenges of building a care team in a community setting are explored. Informants highlighted the value of regular team meetings, role clarity, and a commitment to patient-centered care. However effective collaboration was not sufficient to maintain the team in the face of poor institutional and government support.

Feminism and women's health professions in Ontario.

ABSTRACT Historically, prevailing gender ideologies were an important element in both the exclusionary strategies employed by male occupational groups and the countervailing responses by female groups. The way in which evolving gender ideologies, and feminism in particular, influence the continuing struggle for greater status and recognition by female professions, however, remains to be fully explored. In this paper, we examine the impact and the role of feminism and feminist ideologies within three female professional projects: nursing, dental hygiene and midwifery in Ontario. We argue that feminism provides an ideology of opposition that enables leaders in these professions to battle against professional inequalities by laying bare the gender inequalities that underlie them. Framing their struggles in feminist terms, female professions also seek recognition for the uniquely female contribution they make to the health care division of labour. At the same time, there exists a tension between ideals of feminism and ideals of professionalism, that has the potential to undermine female professional projects.