The Challenges that Female Workers Face in Non-traditional Professions: Petrol Stations as a Model

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to identify the personal challenges faced by women working in non-traditional professions (gas stations), as well as the challenges arising from their interaction with male colleagues in the workplace. Additionally, it examined the challenges stemming from societal perceptions of women's roles in this sector.

Methods: The study adopted a qualitative approach, using inductive thematic analysis to analyze the data. A purposive sample of (15) women working at fuel stations in Amman was selected.

Results: Many women working at fuel stations face personal challenges, such as low self-confidence due to the male-dominated environment in which they work. Additionally, family support plays a crucial role in their ability to cope with these challenges. In cases where support is lacking, they face additional difficulties, while some others gain self-confidence over time. The results also showed challenges arising from interactions with male colleagues, including a lack of cooperation and respect at times, and a lack of acceptance for women working in this profession, as they are often perceived as unqualified, leading to feelings of isolation and difficulty in asserting themselves. Moreover, societal challenges were evident, with negative reactions from society, seeing women working at fuel stations as engaging in inappropriate work, which contradicts the traditional roles assigned to women. This increases the psychological pressure on the workers, who also face various forms of harassment.

Conclusions: Women working at fuel stations face significant challenges, such as initial low self-confidence, lack of family support, societal rejection due to traditional perceptions of women's roles, and harassment and marginalization by male colleagues.