Experiences and perceptions related to gender in the professional practices of male occupational therapists

Abstract

Introduction: Feminist studies have contributed to the understanding of the gender roles assigned to women and men as socially constructed and not biologically determined processes. In health work in Brazil, marked by the numerical predominance of women, the sexual division of labor is influenced by the naturalization of care as a female attribute. In occupational therapy, according to the Regional Council of the category, only 3.7% of professionals in the State of São Paulo are male, which gives uniqueness to gender relations in the profession. Objective: We seek to identify and analyze gender-related experiences and perceptions among self-declared male occupational therapists. Method: Qualitative exploratory study, carried out through in-depth interviews with five occupational therapists in the city of São Paulo, SP, Brazil, later analyzed through thematic analysis. Results: Respondents identified experiences that they consider to be undisguised gender privileges, especially with regard to access to employment and professional development. They perceive that, in the professional environment, there are stereotypes linked to the pattern of behavior attributed to the male gender, associating it with strength, authority and power. When it comes to care relationships with users, some participants do not perceive the presence of gender norms, which seems to converge with the social invisibility of these processes. Conclusion: Gender issues are present in the professional experiences of the respondents, who, in general, perceive them from a critical perspective. It is relevant for Brazilian occupational therapy that new studies increase reflections and address different aspects of gender relations in professional practice.