Sexual Stratification : Differences in Power

The central concern of this paper is to illustrate how certain dimensions of job,s are helpful in determining whether individuals have comparable positions in the work setting. We consider the usefulness of including certain aspects of power in the work setting into studies of stratification. The two aspects o~ power in the work setting considered here are authority, control over the work process of others, and autonomy, control over one's own work process. We sketch out how this conceptualization helps one better understand sex differences in job positions. We demonstrate empirically that there is sexual inequality in power in the work setting holding constant other relevant variables. Sexual Stratification: Differences in Power in the Work Setting The central concern of this paper is to illustrate how certain dimensions of jobs are helpful in determining whether individuals have comparable positions in the work setting. To do this, one must consider several characteristics upon which jobs are differentiated. While there are a number of dimensions that could be considered, we are concerned with the usefulness of certain aspec ts of power on the job in locating individuals in the job hierarchy. By job hierarchy, we mean a structure which is differentiated by several dimensions of jobs. Some possible dimensions are occupational status, power on the job, and earnings. We are reluctant to utilize the more conventional term occupational structure because power in the work setting is not a characteristic of an occupation (as it varies tremendously across incumbents of an' occupation) but is a characteristic of 2 job. In this paper, we discuss our notion of power in the work setting and' its relevance to stratification research. Then, we attempt to sketch out how this conceptualization helps us understand sex differences in job positions. Finally, we demonstrate empirically the usefulness of these concepts in clarifying the similarities and differences· of· positions of men and women in the work setting. The two aspects of power on the job to be considered here are authority and autonomy. We define authority as control over the work process of others and autonomy as control over one I s own work process. In the past one hundred years, the structure of work has become more differentiated with the advent of new technologies and . more complex organizations. This development necessitated a