Shaping gender inequalities: critical moments and critical places

Riano, Yvonne; Limacher, Katharina; Aschwanden, André; Hirsig, Sophie; Wastl-Walter, Doris (2015). Shaping gender inequalities: critical moments and critical places. Equality, diversity and inclusion : an international journal, 34(2), pp. 155-167. Emerald 10.1108/EDI-12-2013-0112

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Purpose
– There is much scientific interest in the connection between the emergence of gender-based inequalities and key biographical transition points of couples in long-term relationships. Little empirical research is available comparing the evolution of a couple’s respective professional careers over space and time. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to filling this gap by addressing the following questions: what are the critical biographical moments when gender (in)equalities within a relationship begin to arise and consolidate? Which biographical decisions precede and follow such critical moments? How does decision making at critical moments impact the opportunities of both relationship partners in gaining equal access to paid employment?

Design/methodology/approach
– These questions are addressed from the perspectives of intersectionality and economic citizenship. Biographical interviewing is used to collect the personal and professional narratives of Swiss-, bi-national and migrant couples. The case study of a Swiss-Norwegian couple illustrates typical processes by which many skilled migrant women end up absently or precariously employed.

Findings
– Analysis reveals that the Scandinavian woman’s migration to Switzerland is a primary and critical moment for emerging inequality, which is then reinforced by relocation (to a small town characterized by conservative gender values) and the subsequent births of their children. It is concluded that factors of traditional gender roles, ethnicity and age intersect to create a hierarchical situation which affords the male Swiss partner more weight in terms of decision making and career advancement.

Practical implications
– The paper’s findings are highly relevant to the formulation of policies regarding gender inequalities and the implementation of preventive programmes within this context.

Originality/value
– Little empirical research is available comparing the evolution of a couple’s respective professional careers over space and time. The originality of this paper is to fill this research gap; to include migration as a critical moment for gender inequalities; to use an intersectional and geographical perspective that have been given scant attention in the literature; to use the original concept of economic citizenship; and to examine the case of a bi-national couple, which has so far not been examined by the literature on couple relationships.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	08 Faculty of Science > Institute of Geography > Human Geography > Unit Cultural Geography 08 Faculty of Science > Institute of Geography
UniBE Contributor:	Riano, Martha Yvonne, Limacher, Katharina, Aschwanden, André, Hirsig, Sophie, Wastl-Walter, Doris
Subjects:	900 History > 910 Geography & travel 700 Arts > 710 Landscaping & area planning 300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology 300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology > 330 Economics
ISSN:	2040-7149
Publisher:	Emerald
Language:	English
Submitter:	Monika Wälti-Stampfli
Date Deposited:	31 Mar 2015 15:48
Last Modified:	02 Mar 2023 23:26
Publisher DOI:	10.1108/EDI-12-2013-0112
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/66284