Today, Comparably looks at responses from both sexes to the question, “Do you feel you’ve been held back in your career because of your gender?” Even with much more discussion of our society’s paternalistic nature and the injustices often dealt to women, it’s plain to see there’s still a lot more progress waiting to be made.
The information comes from the latest reading of a ongoing study by Comparably. Over 10,000 employees reponded to the question.
39% of women say that their gender has indeed held them back in their careers. A slim margin of men, just 12%, say the same.
When looked at by department, the overwhelming number of women who say their gender has been an issue for their professional development is unmissable. Just 52% of women in Business Development, 53% of women in Communications, 47% in Engineering, and 46% of women in IT say their gender hasn’t been a roadblock for them in their careers.
African-Americans (32%) say their gender has been an issue most frequently among ethnicities. Other ethnicities answered more positively, with 78% of Caucasian and Asian/Pacific Islander respondents saying “no,” their gender didn’t hold them back.
Workers between the ages of 41-45 were most positive about gender not being an issue for them. The younger and older the employee, the more likely they are so say their gender was a negative factor.
Looked at by experience level, each age group is progressively less concerned about their gender having affected their careers. Entry level workers polled seven points lower than those who had been in the workforce for more than ten years.
Latest reading as of April 13.
