Can someone give me some insight on this?

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  Posted by Tue Sep 9, 2008 11:43am PDT

  Great question! Perhaps it's too much to expect nature, biology and thousands of years of history to make exceptions based on your personal accomplishments.

  Let's look at it more simply. You are right that people display natural prejudices that are not always malicious. Take for example persons of different color, or physically challenged, or those who have distortions. Virtually all people are graded through physical attributes that we don't always control.

  You could ask the same kind of question when referring to beautiful women who often seem to get their way or have their opinions heard first by people and especially men.

  It's not right, it's not fair and it's not something that we're likely to see change. That only means we have to work harder to overcome those prejudices our whole life. Look at our presidential candidates right now...they too run into the same challenges you meet with. Whether they be black, female, old or any other such attribute.

  My father used to challenge me when I was young and told me flat out that I would have it harder in life than others around me (based on several attributes I don't control). He emphasized that while others will see this as an excuse to fail I had the choice to rise above it, but that it would never be easy.

  I recommend you look at how you will conquer those challenges rather than make a quest out of trying to change others to rise above nature and biology to give you your due credit.

  Take it!! If you're worth your salt you'll never have to apologize for being a strong woman among men!!

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  Posted by sam i am Tue Sep 9, 2008 11:44am PDT

  girl you could be the president of the United States and STILL be treated like you're inferior. It's never going to change. Sad to say :(

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  Posted by wicked witch of the south Tue Sep 9, 2008 11:47am PDT

  Honey, until recently I was in the construction business as well-so I know what you are going thru. I prefer to believe that once again it boils down to is the male inferiority complex. We control sex and so they struggle to sublimate women every way possible to make up for their inability to have children. Throughout history, women have done 90% of the work (children, hunting and gathering ect) and pitiful little men grunt and shove and posture to be superior. Deep in the heart of every man they know they would not EXIST if it were not for a women. Scares the @%$# out of them.

  So unless you want to beat your chest, swear, grunt and scratch your tookus in public. You will just have to win them over 1 at a time. It sucks and it is not fair-but at least we know at the beginning of the evening whether we are going to get laid or not. Take your victories where you can. Peace! Lily

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  Posted by Superlativity Tue Sep 9, 2008 11:56am PDT

  I don't know anything about construction, but could you join a union? Or attampt to start one that is specifically concerned with women's rights in the construction business?

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  Posted by Jon D. E Tue Sep 9, 2008 12:13pm PDT

  Human nature trumps and transcends the times.Some types of work have been traditionally male dominated.Perhaps that is why women are put in second place in such situations.As a man;I have no trouble with a woman doing a job traditionally done by men. The only problem I would have is if the woman could not, or was not, willing to do everything a man does. Yes; there is some lifting where a woman does not have the strength of a man and would need some help. Signs in the workplace encourage workers to have help lifting.Being a man I usually dont ask for help unless the object is unwieldly.Just a macho thing. Hope this helps. Jon

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  Posted by DominicaA Tue Sep 9, 2008 3:58pm PDT

  I am also a female working in the construction as a Senior Project Manager for a large general contractor. While I understand where you are coming from, I can't say that I relate. I have not had any of the issues you described. If you are as good as you say you are and work hard, then they will respect you. In meetings, I am never ignored because what I have to say is important and my male colleagues respect me. Yes of course I had to 'prove' myself early on, but everyone does. This is construction and the only way they are going to respect you is if you know what you are doing. My suggestion to you if this type of behavior continues and you can't get passed it, then find a different company that treats woman as equals. They are out there.

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  Posted by mike Tue Sep 9, 2008 5:36pm PDT

  Simple fact construction and many other fields are a mans. Now you have to be better smarter and work twice as hard to get ahead, you just gotta ask your self are you up to the challenge. Run your problems by an American Indian who has fought for this country that was taken away from his or her fore fathers, or a black man that served in the army when it was segragated the list goes on. Deal with it!

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  Posted by Andy Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:33am PDT

  You know I am a fan of Bayt.com’s always impeccable reports, but I must have overlooked this one about working women in the Middle East. I just gave it a read and I feel sorry for us, honestly. I am really starting to consider my move now. What a shame really!

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  Posted by nrg1966 Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:31am PDT

  It is not just construction, this problem is very visable in other areas as well. Why are we now just considering and hoping for a female presidential candidate or vp for that matter? Here is a good one, not advocating you do it but really funny. I live in a very small, rural town. Men rule here and always have. My female boss is smart, a local (yes that matters here) and a business owner that brings a lot of money to the community. She was serving on a local board and was becoming frustrated that she could not get the male establishment to listen to her point of view, token female? Probably. She thought on this problem for long time, attended the next meeting and again when they dismissed her, she politely asked for their attention and announced "it appears that I forgot to bring my penis to this meeting and in order to be heard in this group one must have to have that part, so next month I will not make that mistake again. Since I was not born with one, I'll have to buy one and proudly display it on the table top here so everyone can see that I have one too." Yes, she actually said this and of course it worked. Don't attempt this yourself, it may get you fired or worse but....sometimes it takes the shock factor to get them to understand.

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  Posted by C Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:19am PDT

  Its taken me nearly 10 years to get to the point where I'm looked at as an equal in construction (partially due to my age, maybe more than anything). I still run into a little bit of "stupidity" sometimes, such as when we get a glut of new hires from the hall and they all assume I'm the "HR girl" (which I'm not, I know very little about HR and policies, it isn't even remotely what I do day to day) and start peppering me with questions - I just call into our HQ and hand them the phone and say "here, talk to the HR head, I am not in HR so I won't be reliable help..."

  You have to work hard, prove yourself, and above that - don't toot your own horn too much. Let your work speak for yourself.

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