What is the culture like for women in the trades?
Women entering the trades face a rowdy, male-dominated environment that often includes belittling behavior, 'bro' culture, and unsolicited comments about their bodies or gender. This atmosphere creates intense anxiety about fitting in, making many nervous to pursue careers they genuinely enjoy like plumbing or electrical work. Experienced women navigate this reality by projecting a tough exterior, refusing to tolerate mistreatment, and focusing on hard work.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Avoiding dramaDid this help you?
- 2Focusing on being reasonable, willing to learn, and confident without an egoDid this help you?
- 3developing a tough exterior or 'bitch face' at workDid this help you?
- 4working harder than male peers to prove competenceDid this help you?
- 5seeking out employers who actively protect apprentices from job site harassmentDid this help you?
- 6asking questions and constantly practicing to earn respectDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I really enjoy it and can see myself becoming a plumber, but I’m nervous about what the workplace culture will be like as a woman.”source ↗
“I know there’s a stereotype that trades can be pretty male-dominated and rowdy, so I’m worried about being belittled or not fitting in.”source ↗
“When I came back to where I live now, any labor i applied for made a comment about my body or my gender.”source ↗
“I don’t take any shit and usually wear my bitch face to work but also make an effort to fit in and work hard. Been doing it for 20 years now.”source ↗
“I’m genuinely looking into taking trade school to be an electrician. I’ve got a background in kitchens, forestry and labor so I’m kind of used to the bro bullshit. But how bad is it?”source ↗
Where this came up
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- 40Doing the job of a higher role without the promotion or pay
- 21Why do big companies require so many rigid formalities?