Are women taking over the PR profession?

Historically, PR had been perceived as a male profession, but this is changing. This profession has undergone a significant demographic change in the last 20 years with a majority of the workforce being women (Lukovitz, 1989; Toth & Grunig, 1993).

With the influx of women now enrolling for degree courses -- a possible influence on public relations perceived as a female career, the trend has led to arguments that the PR profession is becoming feminised.

I happen to be in a class of over 30 students taking a postgraduate course in PR, and majority of my classmates are women. This small fraction may just reflect that the profession is being dominated by women and a steady increase in the numbers of women entering PR over the past.

According to Grunig. A. L. et al., (2004) in Women in public relations: how gender influences practice, “By their growing numbers alone, women have created opportunities themselves beyond what fields traditionally considered “female”, such as nursing and teaching, could have offered.” (p.4).

With the evident in the UK and US, the increasing numbers of women in PR is clearly a widespread phenomenon. But why is it happening? Personally, after working in media for several years, I felt I should move to PR, for a different experience, challenge and career growth. As I look to research further in this trend, feel free to comment. Your feedback and opinion is much appreciated.