Is Unconscious Bias to Blame for America’s Lack of Women Leadership in Business?

In any industry, whether it’s nonprofit or large corporations, women are simply far less likely to hold positions of power. According to the American Association of University Women, 55 percent of the country’s workforce is made up of women, but only a small fraction of those women are leaders.

While this information is nothing new, the new AAUW report has shed some more light on the subject, allowing us to take a deeper look into the gender inequality that continues to plague our nation.

What’s in the AAUW Gender Gap Report?

The study, which is titled “Barriers and Bias: The Status of Women in Leadership,” focuses on positions of leadership, and how people are able to achieve them. The researchers found that most women’s chances of attaining leadership positions are dismal.

The authors feel that this is due to a variety of factors, including age, gender identity, race and ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation, but most of all, there is an unconscious bias against working women.

According to the study, there must be something internal that is working against women everywhere, because there are no issues at the source. For example, the problem isn’t that there just isn’t as many women working. As mentioned above, 55 percent of the workforce in America is women.

Additionally, American women are currently earning more degrees than men, and have proven to be just as effective as men at driving business. So what is it that is causing such a lack of female leadership in business if it’s not bias?

What Can I Do About the Gender Gap?

According to the study authors, there is no acceptable solution to the problem right now, at least not one that would be a total fix. They argue that the systemic bias against women is ingrained in our society and that the gender gap is going nowhere soon.

However, you can do something about your own situation if you have been unfairly discriminated against. Sex discrimination can prevent good people from earning a living, which is unacceptable. Talk to an employment lawyer about possible legal options moving forward.