COLLECTION NAME:
Graduate Thesis Collection
Record
Title:
Why Does Gender Matter? Exploring a Better Working Environment for Female Freelancers in China
Creator:
Chen, Xin
Subject:
Thesis (M.F.A.) -- Interior Design
Subject:
Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Interior Design
Rights:
Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Abstract:
Establishing a successful career is the objective of some women, but not the social expectation for them. Recently, the feminine voice that seeks career advancement is growing in China. However, when seeking jobs and being employed, gender discrimination often occurs. Some gender discrimination that was discovered in existing research and interviews relates to having children, unstable temporary contracts, sexual harassment in the office, and lower salaries than men. Freelance provides the possibility for females to pursue a career in a new way. Nevertheless, female freelancers are a marginal group in Chinese society due to lack of support and unsuitable working environments which detract from their achievement. Home as a workplace does not afford ease in meeting with clients. Additionally, renting a studio or office is expensive. And co-working spaces are not ideal for supporting long-term work. Thus, this thesis will explore a better working environment for female freelancers in China, aiming at supporting independent work and addressing gender related needs. To achieve such a goal, quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect data. A content analysis using social media revealed daily life and attitudes of female freelancers. Further, interviews and photo elicitation allowed the researcher to understand current working conditions of female freelancers. Finally, case studies were conducted to explore existing solutions. Results show that women seek working environments that include an efficient workspace and relaxing functions without worries about safety. Considering the identity of marginality, the empowerment theory, group psychology, and spiral of silent theory addressed in this thesis will propose design solutions to meet the needs of female freelancers and allow for successful careers.
Keywords: feminism, co-working, co-living, freelance, workplace design, marginality.
Keywords: feminism, co-working, co-living, freelance, workplace design, marginality.
Publisher:
Savannah, Georgia : Savannah College of Art and Design
Date:
2021-10
Format:
1 online resource: 1 PDF (Thesis, 86 pages, color illustrations, plans, graphs)