Inclusion of Women in Science. Long-term strategies for alone or with partners' women

摘要

Throughout history the division of gender roles has been a serious impediment for women working in science. Although they never desisted from conducting research, firstly as amateur and later as professional, they stood outside of scientific institutions and even now they hold low positions of ladder career. Women are finally in research institutions but they still need to make great efforts to achieve recognition from their colleagues and gatekeepers. Using the biographies of some contemporary scientific women, the objective of this work is to discover the role of partners at women's professional advancement. Their partners' role can supports, interferes or outlines professional decisions of women. This work also compares different cohorts of women scientist since a long-term approach that underlines social changes in Spanish society. Findings reveal that women need to plan very carefully work-life balance because some of the most important milestones coincide in the life-course. Social expectations regarding gender roles also mold women's decisions even when they are professionals and totally independents. The role of partners if they both collaborate, family background, financial status, childcare facilities, workplace environments and gender policies also contribute to success of women in professional careers.