The steno profession—once a prestigious and integral part of the legal and court reporting industries—has seen a significant decline in recent years. This decline has been fueled by multiple forces, ranging from changes in economic structures to the behaviors and decisions of individuals within the industry. Many believed that the profession would evolve as technology advanced. However, instead of evolving, the profession has been eroded in ways that few saw coming. But who is to blame for this? The reality is that the responsibility for the decline of the steno profession is not easily attributed to any one group alone. While it’s clear that men—specifically the owners of agencies, lawyers, and insurance companies—played a substantial role in undermining the profession’s viability, the failure of female stenographers to effectively advocate for their own profession also shares a large part of the blame.
The Role of Agency Owners, Lawyers, and Insurance Companies
Historically, the steno profession has been heavily male-dominated at the highest levels. Agency owners—often men—made decisions that prioritized profitability over the well-being of their employees. The introduction of large corporations buying out smaller agencies exacerbated this trend, as corporate interests became the driving force behind decisions, often leading to an increasing focus on quantity over quality. In a race to maximize profits, these owners pushed down rates, focusing on cutting costs, rather than retaining quality employees. The most telling example of this is how agency owners were often quick to lower rates in an attempt to meet the demands of clients—who, in many cases, were interested primarily in cutting costs. Instead of considering the impact on the profession as a whole, the focus was placed on the immediate bottom line.
Lawyers, too, contributed to the erosion of the profession. The legal industry has long been one of the largest employers of court reporters and stenographers. However, many lawyers—who were also predominantly men—used their bargaining power to push stenographers into accepting lower compensation for the same or more work. Their power came from their control over the demand for court reporters, which gave them leverage to negotiate rates. This leverage often led to a devaluation of the professional services that stenographers provided. As rates were driven lower and lower, the profession’s stature and respectability began to decline, which, in turn, further diminished the industry’s ability to sustain itself.
The role of insurance companies in this decline also cannot be overlooked. As gatekeepers of the reimbursement rates for court reporting services, insurance companies—largely controlled by men—set the rates at levels that forced stenographers into a race to the bottom. These companies often sought to reduce the cost of services without regard for the consequences on the quality of the work. As rates were cut, the pressure on individual stenographers grew, as they were expected to maintain the same level of service while accepting less and less pay. The inability of stenographers to push back against these practices allowed the profession to spiral further into a decline.
However, the blame for the erosion of the steno profession is not limited to the men at the top of the industry. While these men were certainly influential in the transformation of the profession, the failure of the profession’s workforce—predominantly women—played an equally important role in the profession’s downfall.
The Failure of Stenographers to Advocate for Their Profession
While agency owners, lawyers, and insurance companies played a significant role in the decline of the steno profession, the female stenographers—who represented the backbone of the industry—must also share some of the blame. The history of the steno profession is intertwined with the history of women in the workplace, as the profession has historically been dominated by women. However, women in this field have often faced significant challenges in advancing their position within the industry. The steno profession has been characterized by a lack of representation in leadership roles, with very few women rising to positions of power or influence. This lack of leadership has been compounded by a culture that discouraged women from advocating for themselves and their profession.
As the steno profession began to experience its decline, many women within the industry failed to effectively advocate for better wages, working conditions, and the preservation of the profession’s value. Instead of uniting and organizing to push for reforms, many women opted to remain passive or even worked against each other. A culture of passive-aggressiveness, gossip, and reputation-destroying behavior became prevalent in the industry. Stenographers who dared to speak out about the profession’s deteriorating state often found themselves ostracized and accused of causing unnecessary conflict. This hostile culture stifled open dialogue about the issues facing the profession and created an environment where it was difficult to advocate for change.
The failure to advocate for change can also be attributed to the widespread lack of solidarity among stenographers. Instead of coming together to demand fair compensation and a higher standard of work, many stenographers accepted the status quo and the deteriorating conditions that came with it. This passivity allowed the forces—such as the decisions of agency owners, lawyers, and insurance companies—that were eroding the profession’s value to continue unchecked.
A Gendered Divide – Men at the Top, Women at the Bottom
The tension between the actions of men in leadership positions and women within the profession reflects broader gender dynamics in the workplace. Men in positions of power—such as agency owners, lawyers, and insurance executives—made decisions that prioritized their own interests, often at the expense of the professionals who did the work. Meanwhile, the women in the profession, historically underrepresented in leadership and decision-making roles, were left to bear the brunt of these decisions.
However, the dynamics within the steno profession were not merely about the actions of men. A deeper, more complex interaction between gender roles and professional advocacy played a significant role. While men at the top were using their power to drive down rates and devalue the work, women in the field often failed to organize and advocate for change. In many cases, women internalized these decisions, accepting the diminishing returns, rather than fighting for better compensation, more respect, or professional standards that reflected their expertise.
Instead of banding together to address the deterioration of their profession, many women within the industry turned on one another. A lack of solidarity and even competition among colleagues undermined any efforts to unite in the face of a common threat. This inter-professional rivalry, which sometimes took the form of gossip, backbiting, and even bullying, weakened the ability of stenographers to advocate for themselves or for the future of their profession.
In some ways, this can be understood through the lens of a broader societal pattern in which women, particularly in historically female-dominated professions, have been socialized to suppress their voices and avoid conflict. In a field where many women were expected to conform to passive roles, pushing for change was often met with resistance, both from the industry and from within their own ranks.
The Consequences of Division and Passivity
Ultimately, the combination of external pressure from powerful men in leadership positions and the internal divisions among female stenographers created a perfect storm for the decline of the steno profession. The failure of female stenographers to come together, support one another, and actively defend their livelihoods allowed external forces—such as the decisions of agency owners, lawyers, and insurance companies—to erode the profession without significant opposition. The passivity within the profession further fueled its decline, as stenographers failed to take the necessary steps to secure the future of their field.
It is important to recognize that the decline of the steno profession was not inevitable. Had stenographers united and taken collective action to advocate for better wages, more supportive working conditions, and the preservation of the value of their work, the profession may have been able to adapt and thrive. Instead, the failure to act has left the profession on the brink of extinction.
A Call for Collective Action and Advocacy
Looking ahead, it is crucial for those who remain in the steno profession to learn from the mistakes of the past. The future of the profession hinges on the ability of stenographers to unite and advocate for their interests. Collective action, solidarity, and a commitment to preserving the integrity of the profession will be essential for ensuring its survival in the years to come.
In particular, advocating for fair compensation, standing up to the pressures from lawyers and insurance companies, and resisting the devaluation of their expertise will be vital. Stenographers must also focus on building a culture of support and solidarity, where they lift each other up, rather than tear each other down. Only through a collective, unified effort can stenographers hope to regain their place as indispensable professionals in the legal and business communities.
In conclusion, the decline of the steno profession cannot be attributed to any single group or cause. The forces of external pressure, internal division, and a lack of solidarity between gendered groups have all played a role in bringing about the profession’s downfall. However, by reflecting on the mistakes of the past and committing to collective action, the steno profession may still have a chance to regain its former prestige and relevance in the modern world. The lessons learned from the decline of this once-proud profession must serve as a reminder that unity, advocacy, and adaptability are key to overcoming adversity and securing a prosperous future.
STENOIMPERIUM 