Gender Discrimination in Chinese Recruitment Advertisements: A Content Analysis

ABSTRACT

Sex-role stereotypes exist as a primary source of gender inequality in employment. This issue becomes even more salient in the social context of China, where the traditional view of female inferiority persists and the legal system provides inadequate protection of equal employment rights. Reporting a content analysis of Chinese recruitment advertisements, this article concludes that gender discrimination is practiced by Chinese employers in recruiting for white-collar positions. It also finds that female applicants are more likely to encounter other forms of discrimination such as age and physical appearance requirements as well.

KEYWORDS:

• China
• gender discrimination
• recruitment advertisements
• content analysis

This project is funded by 2007 Davis Fellowship from the College of Business Administration, Rider University.