Final answer:
The term for women being overrepresented in certain jobs, such as nursing, is occupational segregation. It relates to societal gender roles and can contribute to the wage gap and the glass ceiling effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe a situation where women are overrepresented in jobs such as nursing is occupational segregation. This concept reflects the broader patterns of gender roles in society, which often designate caring roles, like nursing, to women, and can lead to discrimination and inequity in the workforce. Occupational segregation can keep women from entering or advancing in certain fields due to stereotypes or societal expectations. Moreover, this can contribute to economic disparities, like the wage gap between genders and the underrepresentation of women in high-level positions, often described as the glass ceiling. Legal and ethical workplace practices aim to promote employment equity by ensuring that all genders have equal opportunities to compete and succeed based on merit.