Desigualdade de gênero na profissão secretrarial: a construção dos estereótipos e a desvalorização do trabalho feminino

Abstract

The predominance of women in Executive Secretarial work has historically shaped gender stereotypes that influence inequalities in women’s professional trajectories and create persistent barriers to recognition and professional valuation. Thus, this study aims to understand the perceptions of Executive Secretarial professionals regarding gender inequality in the labor market, grounded in Joan Acker’s theoretical framework. To this end, a qualitative approach was adopted, using a life-history research design. Semi-structured interviews were employed as the primary data collection technique, enabling the capture of participants’ experiences and interpretations concerning the influence of stereotypes and gender inequalities. The results indicate that, although academic training strengthens professional performance, Executive Secretarial work remains marked by stereotypes that associate the profession with care and support, limiting its strategic recognition. Subtle discriminatory practices, wage stagnation, and the invisibility of specialized work are evident, while initiatives of resistance and efforts toward professional valorization emerge, driven by the professionals themselves.