A female plumber/electrician vs a male one...

As a mom, I would only worry about my DD's safety of being a plumber and going to other peoples homes, or construction sites for that matter. Other than the safety issue, a woman can certainly do the job.

Do you know what being an electrician involves? there's a good reason why women aren't electricians - there is some very hard physical work involved, like pulling cables.
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Executive Member Joined: Jan 28 2009 Posts: 362

I would prefer the woman; I'd assume she would have to be twice as good as a man in order to be accepted in her field (partly a joke--not wholly).

Diamond Member Joined: Aug 07 2006 Posts: 2556

There is no reason a physically fit woman cannot do the work of an electrician or plumber.

Personally, I don't care about the gender of the workers in my home (in general) but I have heard that there is a demand for skilled female home repair providers in some neighborhoods in Israel. I think I read an article somewhere about a directory of fenale workers - does this ring a bell for anyone who might know about the details?

Platinum Member Joined: May 07 2008 Posts: 8984

I would totally LOVE to have female repair people. I've been saying for years that there's a great market for female repair people in frum neighborhoods. No worries about yichud, pervs, nosy people jumping to evil conclusions...So long as she's not a frail little thing doing a job involving heavy lifting, because I'd feel obligated to try to help her.

Platinum Member Joined: May 07 2008 Posts: 8984

Platinum Member Joined: May 07 2008 Posts: 8984

It amuses me that a person would object to women being electricians on the grounds that they have to pull heavy cable, yet think nothing of women being licensed practical nurses or nurses' aides and having to lift, transfer and transport patients weighing twice what they do.

FTR I'm not saying it's OK for a 110-lb nurses' aide to singlehandedly move a 350-lb flaccid patient from a bed to a wheelchair; it's not, and this is one reason why healthcare workers have an astronomical rate of back injuries. I just find it entertaining that healthcare is considered an appropriate job for women and construction trades not, on the grounds that construction requires muscle.

Platinum Member Joined: Apr 12 2010 Posts: 5876

Silver Member Joined: Aug 12 2009 Posts: 628

I didn't say I wouldn't hire a female electrician. I was answering the OP, who is still considering whether to train for such a job.

Diamond Member Joined: Aug 07 2006 Posts: 2556

Hello, I'm a Jewish cleaning woman. Or I was, anyway...

Thank goodness the non-Jewish households who hired me only cared that I did a good job and didn't steal.

I recognize that there are class distinctions in many communities that make it awkward to hire a peer as "help." I did this kind of work when I was a student, and many middle-class students do entry-level work that isn't typical later in life in certain circles. Let us all please get over it and learn to consider any kind of work worth doing, and let those who do the work choose what they are willing to do.

Twenty years ago, dogwalking and babysitting were similarly considered jobs for teenagers and college students in my world. Now, respectable adults are making successful businesses doing the same things.

You can make a good living in the skilled trades, and unlike IT or customer service, the work can't be outsourced to a low-wage country around the world. The work world is changing, in case you haven't noticed. If you are willing to get your hands dirty and do physical work, do it!

Platinum Member Joined: Apr 12 2010 Posts: 5876

Gold Member Joined: Oct 20 2010 Posts: 1710

I have a frum woman clean my home. I used to have someone not Jewish, but then I heard about this woman. Honestly, if she is searching to clean toilets, why would you not hire her. It is quite selfish to deny someone else a chance at a honest living because of your comfort level.

I'm just trying to picture what you will wear as a female plumber and especially with those black greasy hands.
maybe someone should start a woman's line of clothing for these rough jobs.

good luck

Active Poster Joined: Jun 22 2011 Posts: 39

hmm.. That is one interesting job for women! the thread title made me smile. Not that I have anything against it, it's just that I've never heard of any female plumbers. but who knows maybe people will appreciate it bc of yichud issues and it'll turn out great for you.

But, we'll all know who you are since you'll most probably be the only one:)

Lots of hatzlacha!