De-gendering the Occupation: Exploring Gender-based Career Challenges Experienced by Female Flight Attendants

Considering that flight attendant is one of the most gender-stereotyped jobs, this study aims to explore gender-based challenges experienced by female flight attendants throughout their careers. In order to reach the research objectives, an open-ended questionnaire is conducted to 90 flight attendants working in 4 airlines in Turkey. The findings of the study reveal that female flight attendants are experiencing several gender-based challenges, such as being subjected to strict make-up requirements, facing society's negative prejudice, confronting sexual harassment from passengers and colleagues, having trouble establishing authority, and dealing with difficulties associated with a woman-dominated workplace. The study especially reveals the psychological challenges female flight attendants face in the workplace and in their daily lives. The findings and the associated recommendations provided to society and the airline company management aim to create a psychologically and physiologically healthier working environment for female flight attendants and support their career advancement.