COERC seminar : ‘The Dialectics of Creative Space: Identity Work of Male Cabin Crew’

COERC seminar : ‘The Dialectics of Creative Space: Identity Work of Male Cabin Crew’

On the 21st January 2009, LMBS, welcomed back Professor Ruth Simpson, as a guest speaker to the first Comparative Organization and Equality Research Center (COERC) seminar of 2009.

Ruth has previously worked for the university many years ago, and moved on to work for Brunel University as Professor and Co-editor of 'International Journal of work organization and emotion'.

In 2002 in preparation for her book 'Men in caring occupations: Doing Gender Differently' she researched for several years in the UK, and then in Sydney Australia, drawing upon "How Male cabin crew mobilize and liaise space as they construct and manage their identity".

Gathering research through interviews with 17 male cabin crew members of 5 different Airlines, a observation into how men were feminized in this field of work was made and how this impacts their field of work.

In the confined space, of an airplane, passengers are restricted into their seating areas, with Cabin crew, trained to ensure that the passengers remain as comfortable and happy through-out their journey. In the past airplanes have consisted of only female staff members, trained to entertain and care for the passengers.

Now with male members in the team, the rules and regulations of caring and entertainment to passengers still remains, but male cabin crew are finding they need to adapt their persona and gain a more feminine persona in order to fulfill their jobs.

Despite the male cabin initially undertaking manual tasks as "masculine males" helping passengers to lift heavy luggage, and completing safety checks, all forms of masculinity disappear instantly as soon as they start to serve drinks
Passengers regard them a "trolley dollies" and "camp" as they continue to provide a happy friendly service, no matter how kind, or angry the passenger.

This seminar summarizes the feelings of a male cabin crew in female dominated work place, and how they cope with the pressure.