Mereish, S. 2026. Seen as Less: Social Identity and the Cost of Being a Woman in Jordan’s Tech Industry. in: Tech Workers of the World: Identity, Mobility and Resistance Palgrave Macmillan.
| Chapter title | Seen as Less: Social Identity and the Cost of Being a Woman in Jordan’s Tech Industry |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mereish, S. |
| Abstract | Despite increases in women’s participation in the workforce globally, women students and academics in Jordan remain significantly underrepresented in technology fields. Among the challenges that women face in accessing employment and getting promoted to leadership positions is Jordan’s collectivist society—where individuals view themselves as part of their family—and a traditionally masculine cultural environment that frames women as inherently less capable than men. Hence, this chapter examines how social factors, particularly the influence of familial ties, shape the career aspirations of women students and academics. It also sheds light on the ways in which technology disciplines are reproduced in academia in ways that reinforce male dominance and power. It also discusses the roots of women’s underrepresentation and how it is layered in a combination of structural, cultural, and institutional influences. Thus, this chapter explores the masculinised culture of the technology industry and how it imposes pressure on women to either suppress parts of their identity that conflict with prevailing technology discourses or withdraw from the field. Accordingly, the chapter draws on two key theoretical frameworks: social identity theory and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, which are utilised to understand and examine the gender gap in the technology sector. It then offers evidence-based identity recommendations, including reshaping parental perceptions of technology careers, reframing the nature of technology disciplines, and adopting the Athena Swan Framework. These initiatives offer valuable implications for educational leaders and policymakers aiming to bridge the education-to-employment gap for women in Jordan. |
| Keywords | Culture; Gender Disparity; Jordan; Social Identity; technology workers |
| Book title | Tech Workers of the World: Identity, Mobility and Resistance |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publisher | Palgrave Macmillan |