The speeches of the waiters in the beer halls in Northern Chile. Gender and discrimination

Abstract

This paper aims to identify the presence of gender discrimination and examine existing relational models of women working in beer halls (shoperías) in northern Chile. Through discourse analysis, it will show how these societal constructs contribute to hegemonic masculine identity, which is further intensified by the mining context which is prevalent in the region. Data shows that female servers, who are mainly from the south of Chile or neighboring countries, are (largely, somewhat, mildly) affected by stereotypes concerning appearance and behavior that lead to social vulnerability, as well as job instability that affects their economic security. These workers are attracted by opportunities due to economic growth and are influenced by the expectation to improve their family situation. Female servers in the schoperías work in a sociocultural system of sex and gender relations which favors asymmetrical hegemonic power, resulting in female subordination and relational models of inequity that are normalized in their immediate work environment.