Gender Effects On Message Therapist

When you go to a spa, gym or health facility, one of the first questions that someone asks you is, “Do you prefer a male therapist or a female massage therapist?” Although this therapy is not a gender-specific career, the number of female massage therapists outnumbers the male population. In addition, there may be clients who are not concerned about the gender of the therapist, but there still are those who prefer female spa therapists to the male therapists 출장마사지.

However, regardless of the gender, all spa therapists are trained in work ethics and the use of draping procedures, thus, it must not be a big issue. In addition, some spa-goers are already familiar with the routine and understand that the massage therapists’ skill is more important than gender.

Effects on Career in Massage Therapy due to gender

While there are clients, who do not bother about the gender of the spa therapist, for would-be massage therapists, knowing how gender affects a career in this field is imperative.

Gender Issues

The spa therapy industry is fundamentally female dominated. Actually, according to studies, more than 80% of them are women. For one, massage therapy is commonly perceived as a nurturing healing method and women have always been associated with the role of “nurturer.” Likewise, because women’s touch is softer and more sensual in nature, many clients find it is easier to relax when left in the “hands” of women.

Patient’s Perception of the Therapist’s Gender

It is true that some clients do not mind about the gender of the therapist, but there are still a big number of those who are uncomfortable when male massage therapists handle their bodies. Even male clients feel the same way. Because massage therapy involves skin to skin contact, people consider it as a very personal matter. Thus, when customers feel pressured or uncomfortable, their muscles tend to contract even more, and they do not reap the full benefits of the massage.

This low level of comfort when it comes to being handled by male practitioners affects the number of clients they can handle, which translates to fewer options for them.

Problems and Issues that Therapists Encounter

Sexual harassment is a huge problem when it comes to this industry. There have been reports where female therapists were taken advantage of by male clients, and some female customers stated that they were sexually harassed and handled improperly by their therapists.

Job prospecting is another problem that male spa therapists deal with. Because of issues such as sexual harassment, male therapists find it harder to find employment than most women do.

Gender Benefits

Not everything about the massage therapy industry for men is negative. Even though males have fewer job options in this industry, there are still some good things about being a massage therapist in a female-oriented industry.

Because men are stronger than women are, some modalities can easily be carried out by male massage therapists than women. One instance is working in a sports massage center or hospital, where patients are generally male and would need stronger pressure when it comes to the massages.