Lookism in the Chinese Nursing Industry: A Content Analysis of Online Recruitment Advertisements

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the prevalence of lookism through a content analysis of nursing recruitment advertisements in China. Lookism or physical appearance-based discrimination is prevalent in roles predominantly occupied by women. This attributive bias assumes greater significance in the context of a patriarchal society like China within industries such as nursing that are highly feminized. Nevertheless, few studies explore the existence of lookism within the nursing industry in China. Reporting on the intent of Chinese health care employers to discriminate based on physical appearance, this article argues for awareness of and sensitivity toward the implications of workplace lookism in China.

KEYWORDS:

• China
• lookism
• nurses
• physical appearance discrimination
• recruitment
• employment discrimination
• human resource management

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Professor Philip C. Howze from Morris Library at Southern Illinois University for his constructive inputs on the project.

Conflict of interest

No conflict of interest has been declared by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research has not been funded by grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.