INFLUENCE OF SEXUAL CAPITAL ON THE LABOUR MARKET: A QUALITATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

This qualitative review explores the influence of sexual capital on individuals’ opportunities and outcomes in the labour market. Drawing on existing literature, the study examines how attractiveness, body aesthetics, grooming, sexuality, and gendered
expectations shape workplace perceptions, hiring decisions, career advancement, and earning potential. The review highlights the subtle yet pervasive ways sexual capital operates as a form of social currency, influencing employers’ evaluations and employees’
social mobility. It also considers how cultural norms, power dynamics, and occupational contexts mediate who benefits or is disadvantaged by sexual capital. The findings underscore the need for greater awareness of implicit biases and call for more inclusive
labour practices to ensure fairness and equity.