Congresswoman Questions If 'Manufacturing' Terminology Deters Women From the Industry

Rep. Jan Schakowsky's remarks during a House hearing spark a discussion on gender representation and perceptions in manufacturing.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) suggested during a House subcommittee hearing that the term 'manufacturing' might deter women from entering the field due to its perceived association with men.
The comment arose during a discussion on engaging more women in manufacturing, highlighting that only 13% of students pursuing manufacturing careers at one company were women.
MIT professor Elisabeth B. Reynolds, a witness at the hearing, emphasized the need to change perceptions of manufacturing as a historically 'dirty, dull, and laborious' industry to attract more women and younger workers.
Reynolds also noted that women in manufacturing earn 16% more than the median income for women in the U.S., but the industry's lack of schedule flexibility may pose challenges.
Critics, including Republican lawmakers, dismissed Schakowsky's remarks, pointing out that the term 'manufacturing' originates from Latin and is not inherently gendered.