Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
'He-cession' hits mens' jobs harder
Women only account for one in five positions cut
The trend, in which men represent more than 81 per cent of the 357,000 jobs lost over the past six months, is prompting some to refer to this economic downturn as a "he-cession."
Statistics Canada said another 61,300 Canadians lost their jobs in March, pushing the unemployment rate to eight per cent, its highest point in the past seven years.
Men between the ages of 25 and 54 have been hit particularly hard in the ailing economy, making up more than 55 per cent of the jobs lost in Canada since October.
The cuts have come to traditionally male-dominated industries such as trades and transport (including construction), manufacturing and natural resources.
As a result, women now make up 48 per cent of Canada's labour force, and more have become the main source of income for their families.
According to Toronto-based life and business coach Joshua Zuchter, who regularly lectures about family dynamics, the changing roles may be tough on some people.
"It depends on the age. A husband and wife in their late 40s will have an easier time than those in the late 50s," he said. "The father is going to have to be the one who takes care of the family and start to do things he wasn't doing before."
Zuchter said many men who were not very involved with their families will be forced to take a more active role so their spouses can continue to bring home a regular paycheque. For some, this may spark a midlife crisis with increased feelings of depression and inadequacy, he said.
But he added that losing their jobs might also be a blessing in disguise for some men if it sparks their inner entrepreneur.
"I was recently speaking to a group of executives; a majority of them were males. They had all lost their jobs and were looking to regain employment, and many are now looking at self-employment," he said. "There is going to be a lot of that going on."
Colleen Burns, of the Canadian Federation of University Women, cautioned this is not a victory for gender equality.
"It's not just about the absolute total numbers of people in the workforce," said Burns. "It also has to do with what kinds of jobs are occupied by men and women, and there is a major disparity in the type of work."
Burns said women are largely employed in part-time or contract positions. As well, recession-proof fields, like education and health care, are overwhelmingly staffed by women.
While it is important to monitor the role women play in the workforce, she said, there is still much work to be done to address issues pertaining to pay equity and equal job opportunities for women.
-- Canwest News Service
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 11, 2009 B7
- Rate this

-
-
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The comment period for this story has ended.
Ads by Google
- Back to Top
- Return to Business
-
Flood Watch 2010
News and information about flooding in the Red River Valley.
-
CON >< CUSSIONS
Examining hockey head injuries
-
Random Acts of Kindness
Your encounters with goodness
-
Open Secrets
Red River students mine government data banks
-
Miss Lonelyhearts
Maureen Scurfield offers life advice
Poll
Most Popular
- Should the province spend $3.1 million to keep Greyhound inter-city bus service in Manitoba?
- Winnipeg Sun editor charged with child pornography
- Burning question over dead wood
- 16-year-old boy charged with making racial comment over intercom at southern US Walmart
- Porn actress Joslyn James releases sexually graphic messages she says came from Tiger Woods
- Arrest warrant issued for 'Laughing Girl'
- Move, then be quiet about cash
- Sun editor charged with possessing child pornography
- Fargo not caught napping
- Beefed-up kindergarten shelved
- She's not laughing anymore
- Winnipeg Sun editor charged with child pornography
- Mild again, but enjoy it while it lasts
- Freedom for Li expected
- Crusader up for Nobel Prize
- Gesturing rudely at OPP while in possession of stolen goods: not a good idea
- Man shot after chasing car thieves
- Grand Forks declares flood emergency
- Arrest warrant issued for 'Laughing Girl'
- Ile des Chenes couple wins St. B Hospital lottery
- Olympic-sized hypocrisy
- Crusader up for Nobel Prize
- Teacher's lapdance caught on tape, watched by world
- Students could be punished
- Second video of lap dance uncovered
- Not wrong, just illegal
- Mr. Matas a worthy nominee
- She's not laughing anymore
- What should happen to two teachers who performed a sexually suggestive dance routine in front of students?
- Oprah's on, and so is our Jon!
- Don't seek mom's approval when you're making plans
- Burning question over dead wood
- Beefed-up kindergarten shelved
- Pope orders Vatican probe into Irish church, blasts bishops, takes no Vatican blame for abuse
- Northern towns breathe easier
- Manitoba considers options for huge H1N1 vaccine surplus
- Budget slashing will create problems, MGEU warns
- Zellers to move into Bay basement
- Judge bans camera from Sinclair inquest
- 16-year-old boy charged with making racial comment over intercom at southern US Walmart
- She's not laughing anymore
- Freedom for Li expected
- Man shot after chasing car thieves
- City may open diamond lanes to more users
- He can escape her verbal abuse
- Gesturing rudely at OPP while in possession of stolen goods: not a good idea
- Play nice in your neighbour's dust
- Liberals say cutting MP mailings would save $10 million a year
- 'Smoking gun' misfires, gangster acquitted
- Eagles, Dixie Chicks to play stadium in June
- Teacher's lapdance caught on tape, watched by world
- She's not laughing anymore
- Students could be punished
- Police shoot and kill suspect
- Freedom for Li expected
- Second video of lap dance uncovered
- Wielding a weapon costs a life
- Mounties hook ice-fishers for open beer
- Canadian women's hockey team stunned by reaction to post-gold party
- Tough to fire lap-dancing teachers: division
- Zellers to move into Bay basement
- Derry to be different
- Price soldiers on despite woes for manufacturing industry
- Province's credit unions oblivious to downturn
- Manage yourself: Plan own career, using sound advice
- Rice of the Prairies gets raves
- Winnipeg Sun editor charged with child pornography
- Dear diary: Today I saw a play that was all about me!
- 16-year-old boy charged with making racial comment over intercom at southern US Walmart
- With celebration cigars ready, Fargo calmly waits for river to crest and flood threat to pass
- Eagles, Dixie Chicks to play stadium in June
- Condos at ex-Penthouse
- Grand Forks declares flood emergency
- Man shot after chasing car thieves
- It's the Sharks vs. the Jets in a jazzy rumble
- Is jet a trophy or just bad PR?
- Career Compass helps staff chart career paths
- Ice-cutting machine to stay submerged until spring
- Prairie proliferation
- Looking for small victories in the Mideast
- Text of Shane Koyczan's opening ceremonies poem, "We Are More"
- Teacher's lapdance caught on tape, watched by world
- Olympic-sized hypocrisy
- Cabela's to open across Canada
- Oprah's on, and so is our Jon!
- Online drug pioneer tumbles
- Mounties hook ice-fishers for open beer
- Not wrong, just illegal
- No listings for buyers flooding the housing market
- Second video of lap dance uncovered
PREVIOUS

0 Comments