THE PROBLEMS OF MALE SECRETARIES IN FEMALE DOMINATED PROFESSION

ABSTRACT

This project work is intend to identify and proffer solutions to the problems, male secretaries encountered in what is assumed to be a female dominated profession. The research is intended to the of value not only to those in the profession, but also male persons who are aspiring to become secretaries. Relevant literature were reviewed. Information were also obtained on personal experience from practicing male secretaries, questionnaire, asking specific questions regarding those problems were administered. In methodology, survey method was simple percentage and all the population were used and there was no sample size. From the analyzed data the following findings emanated. A greater percentage of male secretaries though, did not take to the profession as their career first choice but they enjoy being a secretary. The male secretaries do not have any complain being a secretary. The moral of male secretaries is affected mainly by poor societal acceptance as well as limited career prospects. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that government should air-in-an enlightment programme in Radio or television to disabuse the mind set of the public about the view on the male secretary in the profession and greater responsibilities should be given to them to make the job more interesting and unavailable.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The problems of male secretary have often been a topic for discussion. Studies have shown that for a long time, the topical average male person employed in the secretarial profession has been assumed to be in a field meant for the female gender. This problem become more compounded as the society generally holds this view. Even authors and publishers of secretarial books deficit every examples of a secretary with a female photograph. One field that may well appeal to he college woman is the secretarial profession. No other profession offer to woman so wide variety of occupational areas other to than secretarial profession.

        Bollo (1994) stated that, this assumption has over the years been proved wrong as we now have women in almost every field that can be through of.

        Many business executive both in the private and public sectors of the economy particularly those in higher level position identify a secretary as a capable confidential secretary who takes dictation, knows the work intimately enough to assume responsibility for the independent performance of all kinds of routine tasks, thus relieving the executive.

        One way or the other, the male secretary find himself in a fix. The nature of being their own boss and not having to answer “Sir” to bosses some always and will continue to be a psychological problem. There are some exemptions to this problem that is, these men who are out for the job in spite of talks of not being man enough to stand on his feet, but those men who come out of this shell to say they are secretaries  are mostly greater with empathy. As a result of this empathy, there is the tending of them getting bored of het job leading to discontentment and frustration.