The Constant Unconcious Gender Biases

Has the gap between genders finally been closed yet? Even though in most Western countries we tend to believe so, the answer is actually quite debatable. The legal rights between both genders are still equal, yet women are getting paid only 77% of the amount a man would get for the exact same job. I strongly believe that our world should have equality throughout as many fields as possible. Certain things such as government powers should have a little difference in power and equality however, things such as pay should be equal. We should be equal throughout treatment for people of other gender, culture and religions. Though we have come very far from the past, there are still rivers we need to build bridges over. Ever since we were young we were taught some gender biases, even though many we are not aware about. In gym class we are separated by the weight of a shot put, for a girl this is your distance to jog, a boy at least 50m longer. Boys aren’t supposed to play dress up, male superheroes are better, stronger, men are smarter, etc. Where is equity when we need it? We should be holding everyone to a certain equal standard of performance based on skill instead of judging someone based off of their genders. Many believe otherwise.

In a study, researchers tried experimenting with young children. These children at around the age of 6 were asked if a “extremely smart” protagonist of various stories were males or females. By this young age, these children either in grade one or in kindergarten, were more likely to guess that the protagonist were male over female. It wasn’t just the little boys to guest so, girls were quite likely to guess the protagonist was male as well. That unconscious gender bias spreads throughout ur life time, our careers a great place for the biases to show. Participants of a experiment were asked to watch a video of entrepreneur pitching a new idea. The results were astonishing to see, but not entirely unanticipated. The participants were more permissive towards the groups who presented their pitches with a male narrator, 68% willing to help fund the group. However, when there was a female narrator, only 32% thought the pitch would be more worthy. The catch of the experiment was that the pitches were practically identical, the only difference being the gender of the narrator. Another study showed participants supposed applicants of people to deem who’d be more fit for a manager position in a laboratory. Much of the applications were alike, the names being the only difference. Applications with a primarily male used name were more likely chosen versus that with a more feminine name. The gender gap is learnt since young, even though we think we are not passing down/teaching these traits, the slight differences are picked up by young children.

There are many in this world who believe that since our creator has made men and women so different, that there should be differences to separate our genders. They think we are different because we need to. There are certain jobs that require either a more masculine or feminine touch. Jobs such as firefighting or heavy machinery assembly require those of a fitter and stronger physique. Others jobs such as modelling and early childhood learning depends on more of a female touch. Fashion for women seems to be more innovative and advanced, learning at an early age sometimes is easier in an environment with more gentle personas. Now just because these jobs have a more strict gender stereotypes, that does not mean people of the other gender can’t take part in that same career field.

We need equity, a more intelligent solution to our inequalities. Equality won’t come in the same shape and form in ever subject, and gender equality is something just so broad it’ll be hard to achieve. I think that the solution is treating everyone with equity. We must accept our differences and still treat everyone with the expectations of completing the same tasks. Equity may be our nearest solution to gender equality. Before we achieve any of that, we must ask ourselves, what do we expect gender equality to look like? “Gender equality is the unfinished business of the 21st century.” – Unknown

http://bigthink.com/the-conversation/to-achieve-gender-equality-we-must-first-tackle-our-unconscious-biases