Gendered Language and Workspace Segregation in SMEs: A Case Study of Unpacking Stereotypes in Pempek 26 Ilir Palembang

Neisya Neisya, Trisninawati Trisninawati, Fitria Aprilia

Abstract


This research investigates how language use and gender segregation in the SMes of Pempek 26 Ilir Palembang contribute to the representation of gender identity. This phenomenon is significant, as workplaces in Indonesia, especially in Palembang, persistently display notable gender segregation. In the quest for gender parity, employees’ identities are continuously replicated, with language being a crucial role. This qualitative research utilizes documentation, observation, and interviews for data collection. Meanwhile, the Miles and Huberman approach, that entails data reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing, is used for data analysis. Butler’s theory of gender performativity serves as the analytical lens, adopting a case study approach. The results show that most of employees and managers of SMEs in the Pempek 26 Ilir area aware the existing gender segregation. Stereotypes are the cause of this segregation. This division results from assumptions that say women belong in jobs requiring endurance and attention to detail, while males belong in jobs that are more physically demanding. The language used by employees is courteous but informal, and the subjects of conversation differ greatly. Male and female employees typically focus on work or interests, while female employees are more talkative about personal and family problems. Overall, these findings show that heteronormative gender performativity is reinforced in the work environment of Indonesian SMEs, especially in Pempek 26 Ilir Palembang, where males are seen as stronger and more reserved and women as weaker but more communicative.

Keywords


Gender identity; Language use; Gender segregation; Gender performativity; Stereotype issues

Full Text:

FULL PDF

References


Alabi, O. O., Mkpado, M. C., Ajala, A. O., Ifejirika, C. A., Ngwube, A., Egbo, K. A., Aniobi, S. C., Mkpado, N. S., Mmaduakor, C., Sani, T. P., Ogunjimi, S. I., Fasoranti, O., & Idris, S. (2024). Reexamining Gender Inequality in Accessing Resources and Education Stance in Reducing Masculine Gender Hegemony in Nigeria. Heliyon, 10(19), e38636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38636

Anindya, A. (2018). Masculinity crisis in the construction of gender identity through communication activities. Jurnal Ranah Komunikasi (JRK), 2(1), 24–34. https://doi.org/10.25077/rk.2.1.24-34.2018

Aprilia, F., Neisya, N., & Whariyanti, W. (2023). Narrative nuances: Analyzing speech acts in Soman Chainani’s “The School for Good and Evil” movie. Voices of English Language Education Society, 7(2), 373–380. https://doi.org/10.29408/veles.v7i2.21337

Benders, D. S. (2012). Gender Inequality: African Women’s Cultural Battle for Education and Success. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2000131

Butler, J. (1988). Performative acts and gender constitution: An essay in phenomenology and feminist theory. Theatre Journal, 40(4), 519–531. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3207893

Butler, J. (1990). Gender trouble: Feminism and the subversion of identity. Routledge.

Butler, J. (1993). Bodies that matter: On the discursive limits of “sex”. Routledge.

Chandra, A. A., Wahyuddin, Y. A., & Rizki, K. Z. (2024). Iceland's government efforts to increase gender equality (Case study: Gender pay gap phenomenon in the workplace). Indonesian Journal of Global Discourse, 5(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.29303/ijgd.v5i1.81

Coffman, M., & Marques, J. (2021). Gender and communication: Are there decisive differences? In J. Marques (Ed.), Exploring gender at work: Multiple perspectives (pp. 67–84). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64319-5_4

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. SAGE Publications, Inc.

Goodhew, S. C., Reynolds, K., Edwards, M., & Kidd, E. (2022). The Content of Gender Stereotypes Embedded in Language Use. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 41(2), 219–231. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261927X211033930

Hefandia, D. A., Kusuma, D. L., & Ruslianti, A. (2023). Women Empowerment in Comparison to Asian Female Gender Roles and Stereotypes in Crazy Rich Asians Novel. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 11(4), 933. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v11i4.8737

Jalambo, M. O., Al-Masri, N. A., & Alareer, R. R. (2023). Capacity-Building Training to Develop Short Story Writing Skills, Social Values, and Gender Fairness at the IUG, Palestine: A Case Study. Language and Intercultural Communication, 23(6), 574–594. https://doi.org/10.1080/14708477.2023.2295613

Kusuma, Q. D., & Novianto, W. (2023). Tandhak gender identity in Ludruk Suromenggolo Ponorogo performance. Syntax Idea, 5(8). https://doi.org/10.46799/syntax-idea.v5i8.2472

Larsen, E. A. (2006). The impact of occupational sex segregation on family businesses: The case of American harness racing. Gender, Work and Organization, 13(4), 359–382. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0432.2006.00312.x

Liaw, S.-S., & Huang, H.-M. (2015). How factors of personal attitudes and learning environments affect gender difference toward mobile learning acceptance. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v16i4.2355

Linda, K., & Thamae, M. A. (2024). Using Self-Study Approach to Critique Gender Stereotyping and Discrimination on Family Resources for Girls and Women: Educational Implications. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478), 13(6), 208–218. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v13i6.3377

Lindqvist, A., Sendén, M. G., & Renström, E. A. (2021). What is gender, anyway? A review of the options for operationalising gender. Psychology & Sexuality, 12(4), 332–344. https://doi.org/10.1080/19419899.2020.1729844

Maria, A., Winarto, Y. T., & Siscawati, M. (2023). Agency and gender performativity among trans women artists: Responding to discrimination and gender identity across two life domains in the Betawi mask community. Antropologi Indonesia, 44(1). https://doi.org/10.7454/jai.v44i1.1031

Miles, M. B., & Huberman, M. (1992). Qualitative data analysis. Universitas Indonesia Press.

Molina, G. M., Ramos, M. A. A., & Ruiz, M. A. M. (2021). Gender stereotypes: Persistence and challenges. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 41(7), 1112–1135. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-12-2018-0229

Nurohim, S. (2018). Gender identity and roles in Bugis society. SOSIETAS, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.17509/sosietas.v8i1.12499

Pratami, S. P., Syafitri, L., & Kemala, M. (2023). The influence of e-commerce, business duration, and capital on income growth in small and medium enterprises of Pempek 26 Ilir Palembang. JAKA: Jurnal Akuntansi, Keuangan dan Auditing, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.56696/jaka.v4i1.8286

Priyatna, A. (2018). Feminist cultural studies. CV. Arti Bumi Intaran.

Ramadhani, D., Ariska, P., Syarifuddin, S., & Supriyanto, S. (2022). The existence of Kampung Pempek 26 Ilir Palembang, South Sumatra, 1993–2010. Criksetra: Jurnal Pendidikan Sejarah, 11(2), 196–205. https://doi.org/10.36706/jc.v11i2.17557

Ridgeway, C. L. (2011). Gendering at work. In C. L. Ridgeway (Ed.), Framed by gender: How gender inequality persists in the modern world (pp. 0). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199755776.003.0004

Sauky, M., & Misnawati, D. (2023). The potential of gastronomic appeal in culinary tourism as a key factor in developing Pempek 26 Ilir Palembang tourism. Da’watuna: Journal of Communication and Islamic Broadcasting, 4(2), 888–892. https://doi.org/10.47467/dawatuna.v4i2.5254

Vaezi, R., & Afghari, A. (2015). She talks, he talks: Gender, indirectness, and length. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 2(3), 232–237. https://www.jallr.com/index.php/JALLR/article/view/56

Wulandari, R., & Amir, A. (2023). Female self-identity in Ayu Utami's novel "Bilangan Fu": A gynocriticism study and character education implication. Diglosia: Jurnal Kajian Bahasa, Sastra, dan Pengajarannya, 6(1), 265–274. https://doi.org/10.30872/diglosia.v6i1.644




DOI: https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v13i2.13536

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2025 Neisya Neisya

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

JOLLT Journal of Languages and Language Teaching (p-issn: 2338-0810 | e-issn: 2621-1378) has been Indexed/Listed by

 Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.