If you’ve been scrolling on TikTok (or Instagram reels) lately, you might have come across the #WomenInMaleFields trend. This movement began with women humorously airing men’s stereotypical annoying, problematic or toxic behaviours in relationships,often set to Nicki Minaj’s Anaconda. For instance, one TikToker joked, “When he texts me eight questions and I only answer the last and least important one #WomenInMaleFields.” I know I can relate to that one!
The comment sections of these videos reveal just how relatable these stories are, with many women expressing relief at discovering shared experiences. One user commented, “The fact that this has happened to so many of us makes me feel better,” demonstrating how widespread this behaviour is, and reassuring women that they are not alone.
Furthermore, the trend has gone beyond the realm of dating to highlight gender biases in male-dominated workplaces. One creator highlighted assumptions about women in medicine, quipping, “When he says, ‘I’m a medical student,’ and I say, ‘Oh cool, what kind of nurse do you want to be?’ #WomenInMaleFields.” I shared this with my flatmate, a female medical student, who immediately related and shared her own encounters with gender-bias. On a night out during first year, she was speaking to a guy who, upon hearing she was studying medicine, proceeded to ask her whether her plan was to be a nurse. She also unfortunately experiences gender bias on the wards, with some consultants only directing questions to her male peers. Therefore, these videos accurately depict the unfortunate reality for many women in male-dominated fields.
Another Tik Tok tackled gender boundaries within corporate culture: “Getting promoted every six months by sending passive aggressive emails, being regularly invited to long lunches, and not attending meetings #WomenInMaleFields.” Again, the mentions of relatability in the comments section of this video highlight that women still experience gendered obstacles in the workplace, whether this be unconscious bias or active, outright discrimination.
Interestingly, some men have jumped on the bandwagon by creating the trend #MenInWomenFields, flipping the script or addressing gender dynamics from their perspective. A few were clearly not thrilled about having their behaviour put under the microscope (cue the “not all men” replies). Others have used the alternate hashtag to poke fun at the behaviour of other men, earning them a lot of support from women in the comments.
However, for the most part, this trend has been created by women, for women. I have personally seen this trend all over my for you page, had my friends send me their favourites, and laughed at the versions they have made (which I’m pretty sure are going to remain in the drafts!).
Many women have celebrated the trend not just for its humor but for the sense of community it builds. By providing a platform for shared experiences, #WomenInMaleFields has become more than a fleeting trend, encouraging solidarity and understanding (while still having fun with it!).
TikToks referenced:
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdjN246t/
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdjNk7pS/
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdjNNpsQ/
Photo by Rubaitul Azad on Unsplash