Towards a tomorrow without “men’s jobs”

We know that labels help us to orient ourselves in the chaos of life. We apply them a little to everything, but most of the time we realize that they fit tightly. The world of work is certainly no exception in this: in the last century, in particular, we have been led to identify some very often “Men’s work”. A process of distinction that followed the entrance – fortunately more and more massive – of women into the professional world.

What “men’s work” means is to be understood.

In some cases it simply refers to professions that are traditionally carried out by men. However, here, traditions change, evolve, and with them words too: thus terms such as architect, lawyer and engineer enter our lexicon.

In other cases, some jobs are almost exclusively associated with the “stronger sex” because they require a certain physical prowess. And yes, it is perhaps true that those of the miner or bricklayer are jobs that require a lot of physical endurance, but this does not necessarily imply that a woman cannot do them. In the recent past, it has shown, among others, Stefania Geronazzo who represented our country at the world championships of lumberjacks.

Finally, there is a tendency to attach this label to particularly technical and operational professions, such as the plumber. Yet, there is no reason why women cannot excel in these areas as well.

Some signs of change are glimpsed and there are realities that are contributing to them in an intense way. E-Distribution, group company Enel which manages the medium and low voltage electricity grids, is one of them. In this company, in fact, there are many young professionals engaged in field work. They go up on the electricity pylons and visit homes where there are problems with the supply. In short, they are what we usually call technical – in this case technical – of light.

Like their male colleagues, their day is made up of shifts, inspections and interventions: work done in some cases in emergency or otherwise difficult situations. And these workers’ awareness of the gender neutrality of their work adds to their determination: “technology is not male or female. Technology is part of all of us »observes Sara Spano.

His colleague Elena Venturi emphasizes the change he has somehow experienced on his own skin. When she started her career as an E-Distribuzione operative, in fact, she crossed paths with a male colleague who was retiring, «excited to see a new person, a woman, in unity».

Then there is the amazement – yes, cultural changes are slow – of clients who see a woman arrive at their home for a “men’s” business. Alice Casula reports that of an elderly lady who was without electricity, who at first did not realize that under that helmet there was a face of a woman who came to her rescue. However, the reaction of those who are younger is different: their peers, for example, are often intrigued by their uniform and if anything interested in understanding what kind of studies they have done.

“We can demonstrate to those who want to undertake our path that in any case we can get involved by playing the role of operative” continues Casula, who is proudly echoed by Spano, eager to “give hope above all to other girls who may be fearful of look out into this world “. Instead, Laura Camposarcone insists on education, fundamental to accelerate any cultural change: “it is important that women are also directed to technical and industrial studies”.

The energy of these energy professionals is undoubtedly engaging and speaks of a country that wants to unhinge the useless stereotypes that we have inherited from the past, in the name of inclusion and real equal opportunities.

(In the photo, one of the E-Distribuzione operations).