Labor inequality in academic life in Chile. Contributions from a gender perspective

Abstract

In consideration of the gender gaps that exist in the university academy, the research proposed an exploratory-descriptive study of a quantitative nature with the objective of analyzing gender parity in the academic functions of public, non-state universities in the south of Chile. For this purpose, the academic staffs of three universities were analyzed. The results show a university composition that perpetuates gender inequality in the academic staff, identifying the reproduction of androcentric models. In turn, for academic careers, a slight tendency was observed to equalize the presence of women and men in the initial categories, but which faded at higher levels. Horizontal segregation showed that men tended to be in the majority in management positions, and there was evidence of particularly masculinized territories. In projective terms and evidencing the inequality in which academic women are found, especially in areas linked to research and management positions, it is necessary to move from the comprehensive-reflective process to a transforming action within the university institutions, which generates changes that are formally installed in the different areas of development of the work of the houses of higher education.