Why Do Women Leave the Architecture Industry?

     Why do women leave the field of architecture? Why is it that approximately 40 percent of women who are architectural graduates do not enter the profession? This is a question that needs answers. In this field, it has been a growing space for women, although it is still a male-dominated industry. Could that change if more women who study architecture actually stayed in the profession? Studies have shown that women leave the field before or in their thirties. This question has a lot more to do with the bigger picture in terms of gender, identity, and professional change. Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the profession, with a steady rise evident over the last several years. This is a perfect opportunity to expand the profession and begin retraining, reteaching, and revamping it as a whole. This transition and change might be what women need to have longevity in the profession and create a better work environment. A study was conducted to have a group of female architecture graduates complete an open-ended survey about why they ultimately decided to leave the profession.

    Younger graduates report that they chose to leave architecture soon after graduation due to issues with work-life balance and the demands the job entails. This means that young women architects may find the profession to be inflexible and rigid when it comes to making certain decisions, even if it is in the best interest of the women in the profession. In most cases, there are several reasons why some women felt like leaving, with a noteworthy number stating that it was a mix of low pay and long hours, tied to the profession being inflexible. Additionally, many women cited the sheer demand for time and energy as a factor. This outweighed their own personal passion and drive for the occupation making it hard to keep going some women also felt less than when it came to their own individual skills of being an architect and designer noting that they couldn't keep up with the demand of the profession making them lack self confidence and expression within their work. Obviously, the biggest and most common response is children and how much attention and care they require. It was hard for women to find a balance, and they ultimately felt that they couldn't do both. 

    In summary, the reasons women may leave the profession are varied, but the sheer number of 40 percent is alarming and should be addressed thoughtfully. It comes down to the overall disadvantages that play into the profession and the workplace culture, which often require flexible schedules for women with children and necessitate taking time away from work for unexpected circumstances. Listening to a more gender diverse audience can help alleviate or find a balance for women who may be struggling in the workforce. This will lead to a more diverse conversation about diversity in architecture and how to shape each individual's experience so they can find their way in the profession. 





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Why do women leave? | ArchitectureAu

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