The discussion of women in management emerged in response to a perceived masculinization of management, given the disproportionately low number of women in managerial positions. Organizations are said to give priority to men as more suitable for managerial roles as a result of preconceived ideas about women.

Historically, women have struggled to break the dichotomous positioning they share with men, where they are seen as opposites; women being mainly associated with the home (private sphere) and men mainly associated with work (public sphere). This positioning finds its roots in the reproduction versus production dichotomy. This debate links women with motherhood, and men with productive roles; as a result women are seen as inadequate workers because motherhood is considered to be incompatible with work in organizations.

Special roles ...