Since the second half of the 20th century, women in science have been on the path of active inclusion in the primarily male-dominated field. Despite the higher percentage of women in higher educational institutions in Slovenia in recent decades, women still occupy mostly less prominent and lower paid positions. On their career path, women scientists in today's society face obstacles and challenges that stem in part from the traditional view of women's role in society and from the internalization of norms and expectations materialized through habitus. In this paper, I examine more closely how motherhood affects women's academic careers. I am particularly interested in how women deal with the challenges in the scientific field, which is still androcentric, and at the same time the desire to fulfil the role of motherhood, which is still often seen as the primary role of women. I address gender inequality in the field of science, and explain it with Bourdieu’s concept of habitus and the unconscious realisation of gender norms. I start from the thesis that social reality is constituted by the simultaneous, repetitive action and embodiment of norms and expectations. Through the conversations with Slovenian women in academia, I was interested in their experiences and perspectives. Through the stories told, I find that women in science are aware of their position in today's society, yet the paths and challenges remain different and provoke a reflection on the social expectations that women have in the areas of motherhood and career.
|
