Gender stereotypes and professional experiences of female nurses in Türkiye
IntroductionGender roles and stereotypes play a significant role in shaping the nursing profession, perpetuating systemic inequities that negatively impact professional experiences and healthcare system efficiency. In Türkiye, patriarchal norms and systemic disparities exacerbate these workplace cha...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1538517/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832587407973679104 |
|---|---|
| author | Zeynep Aca Arzu Kırcal-Şahin Akın Özdemir Yavuz Selim Kaymakcı |
| author_facet | Zeynep Aca Arzu Kırcal-Şahin Akın Özdemir Yavuz Selim Kaymakcı |
| author_sort | Zeynep Aca |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionGender roles and stereotypes play a significant role in shaping the nursing profession, perpetuating systemic inequities that negatively impact professional experiences and healthcare system efficiency. In Türkiye, patriarchal norms and systemic disparities exacerbate these workplace challenges, particularly for female nurses.MethodsThis qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews with 13 female nurses working in intensive care units to examine the influence of societal expectations, workplace discrimination, and institutional policies on gender inequities in nursing.ResultsThe findings reveal that cultural norms, family influence, and constrained career planning often channel women into nursing, reinforcing perceptions of the profession as an extension of caregiving roles. While participants rejected the notion of nursing as a “women’s profession,” their narratives highlighted the pervasive impact of gendered expectations. Additionally, political favoritism and nepotism were identified as factors exacerbating workplace challenges, reflecting broader systemic issues in Türkiye’s labor market. The normalization of gender norms and their internalization by female nurses further complicate efforts to combat discrimination.DiscussionThe study underscores the necessity for policy interventions to address systemic gender inequities in nursing. Recommendations include implementing mandatory gender equality education within healthcare institutions, stricter enforcement of anti-violence laws, and the establishment of psychological and legal support systems for workplace violence victims. Additional measures, such as childcare support and regulations against marital status-based discrimination, are essential to mitigate inequities. By addressing societal, cultural, and institutional factors, this research provides actionable strategies for healthcare organizations and policymakers to promote equity and improve sector efficiency. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1b515c018abc4f0395657b2d0be5ebb8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-1b515c018abc4f0395657b2d0be5ebb82025-01-24T13:50:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-01-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15385171538517Gender stereotypes and professional experiences of female nurses in TürkiyeZeynep Aca0Arzu Kırcal-Şahin1Akın Özdemir2Yavuz Selim Kaymakcı3Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University, Balıkesir, TürkiyeLondon School of Economics and Political Science, London, United KingdomDepartment of Labour Economics and Industrial Relations, Faculty of Political Sciences, Sakarya University, Sakarya, TürkiyeThe Graduate School, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, TürkiyeIntroductionGender roles and stereotypes play a significant role in shaping the nursing profession, perpetuating systemic inequities that negatively impact professional experiences and healthcare system efficiency. In Türkiye, patriarchal norms and systemic disparities exacerbate these workplace challenges, particularly for female nurses.MethodsThis qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews with 13 female nurses working in intensive care units to examine the influence of societal expectations, workplace discrimination, and institutional policies on gender inequities in nursing.ResultsThe findings reveal that cultural norms, family influence, and constrained career planning often channel women into nursing, reinforcing perceptions of the profession as an extension of caregiving roles. While participants rejected the notion of nursing as a “women’s profession,” their narratives highlighted the pervasive impact of gendered expectations. Additionally, political favoritism and nepotism were identified as factors exacerbating workplace challenges, reflecting broader systemic issues in Türkiye’s labor market. The normalization of gender norms and their internalization by female nurses further complicate efforts to combat discrimination.DiscussionThe study underscores the necessity for policy interventions to address systemic gender inequities in nursing. Recommendations include implementing mandatory gender equality education within healthcare institutions, stricter enforcement of anti-violence laws, and the establishment of psychological and legal support systems for workplace violence victims. Additional measures, such as childcare support and regulations against marital status-based discrimination, are essential to mitigate inequities. By addressing societal, cultural, and institutional factors, this research provides actionable strategies for healthcare organizations and policymakers to promote equity and improve sector efficiency.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1538517/fullfemale nursesgender inequitieshealthcare inequalityprofessional growthworkplace discrimination |
| spellingShingle | Zeynep Aca Arzu Kırcal-Şahin Akın Özdemir Yavuz Selim Kaymakcı Gender stereotypes and professional experiences of female nurses in Türkiye Frontiers in Public Health female nurses gender inequities healthcare inequality professional growth workplace discrimination |
| title | Gender stereotypes and professional experiences of female nurses in Türkiye |
| title_full | Gender stereotypes and professional experiences of female nurses in Türkiye |
| title_fullStr | Gender stereotypes and professional experiences of female nurses in Türkiye |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gender stereotypes and professional experiences of female nurses in Türkiye |
| title_short | Gender stereotypes and professional experiences of female nurses in Türkiye |
| title_sort | gender stereotypes and professional experiences of female nurses in turkiye |
| topic | female nurses gender inequities healthcare inequality professional growth workplace discrimination |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1538517/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zeynepaca genderstereotypesandprofessionalexperiencesoffemalenursesinturkiye AT arzukırcalsahin genderstereotypesandprofessionalexperiencesoffemalenursesinturkiye AT akınozdemir genderstereotypesandprofessionalexperiencesoffemalenursesinturkiye AT yavuzselimkaymakcı genderstereotypesandprofessionalexperiencesoffemalenursesinturkiye |