Strategic flexibility in a male-dominated occupation: women software engineers in China

ABSTRACT

This article builds on a rich literature on the gender gap in software engineering. It further contextualizes the gendering of development work in the Chinese high-tech industry, especially the prevalent overwork norm. The perpetuation of male ascendency is achieved through the gendered hierarchization of subspecialties in software engineering and the embodiment of the geek culture. Nevertheless, women show their resilience and strength in navigating their careers in this male-dominated occupation. This article reveals female programmers’ strategies: flexible assimilation, flexible embodiment, and flexible career development. By this strategic flexibility, the article highlights women’s agency in tactically negotiating gender rules and transgressing gender boundaries in a male-dominated occupation.

KEYWORDS:

• Software engineering
• gendered occupation
• overwork
• female engineers
• women’s agency

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. See its annual statistical report, https://www.miit.gov.cn/gxsj/tjfx/rjy/art/2021/art_f6e61b9ffc494c099ea89faecb47acd2.html.

2. The research was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee, The University of Hong Kong. Reference Number: EA1906012

3. Several informants of both genders mentioned that their overtime work might cause lack of sleep and thus hair loss. For example, Cuckoo (2-year-experienced female programmer), Jinjin (a female intern worker learning programming), and Gaodi (3-year-experienced male programmer) specifically expressed that (potential) hair loss would be a concern for female programmers.

4. Python is a high-level programming language widely used by software developers in high-tech companies around the world

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Xiaotian Li

Xiaotian Li is a PhD candidate in the Department of Sociology at The University of Hong Kong. His research interests include gender and sexuality, labour and migration in China, and how technology changes work and everyday life. His PhD project investigates the Internet economy in China and examines the working experiences of workers in new job positions. Email: [email protected] Address: Department of Sociology, 9 F, Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.