Gender Bias Discourages Men From Pursuing Certain Career Paths

According to research recently published by the American Psychological Association (APA), men are less likely to pursue employment in early education and other traditionally female fields.

Photo Insert: Male early-elementary teachers report higher discrimination rates and are seen as less liked, less hirable, and a larger safety danger to children than female instructors.

Prior research has demonstrated bias against men in health care, early education, and domestic (HEED) fields; the current study aimed to measure its impact.

In an experiment with 296 U.S. online participants, one group viewed an article reporting data showing educators favor female elementary school teacher applicants over male applicants with the same qualifications. The control group didn't read any articles. One group read on gender equality in early elementary education.

Men who read about male gender bias expected more discrimination in primary school and felt less positive and interested in pursuing a career in that profession. Female participants didn't react differently among groups.

An experiment with 275 students at Skidmore College had similar findings. The research was published online in Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied.

Male gender bias in HEED careers has been generally disregarded, despite having harmful effects, said lead researcher Corinne Moss-Racusin, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Skidmore College.

“It’s a detriment to society if we keep slotting people into gendered roles and stay the course on gender-segregated career paths, regardless of whether those jobs are traditionally associated with women or men,” she said. “That’s a powerful way of reinforcing the traditional gender status quo.”

Men make up 3% of preschool and kindergarten instructors and 13% of RNs in the U.S. Male nurses report more workplace bullying than female nurses, according to studies. Male early-elementary teachers report higher discrimination rates and are seen as less liked, less hirable, and a larger safety danger to children than female instructors.

The assumption that women are more caring and naturally equipped for care-oriented jobs hinders men's chances, Moss-Racusin added.

“There’s no evidence that men are biologically incapable of doing this work or that men and women are naturally oriented toward different careers,” she said. “Both men and women are deterred by gender biases they may face in different industries, which is understandable.”

Low compensation in HEED industries may be related to prejudice against women and devaluing their labor, Moss-Racusin added.

She suggests that more recruitment and mentoring of men in HEED fields could eliminate gender bias and attract more men to such fields.

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