Study: Engaging Men in Gender Initiatives: What Change Agents Need to Know (Catalyst, 2009, Prime, Racusin)
Finding: Before men will support gender equality in their organization, they must undertand that it exists.
InPower Insight: Want to achieve greater gender equality in your organization? Find male allies.
Summary:
When gender equality is a “woman’s problem,” very little changes. By contrast, when men begin to champion gender equality, things can change much more quickly. But what is it that makes a man predisposed to champion gender equality?
In this research Catalyst found three factors that determine how aware men were of gender bias within the workplace, a willingness to reject masculine norms; having female mentors and a sense of fair play.
It was also found that efforts for erasing gender bias in the workplace, as assisted by men, can be hindered by three key qualities: apathy, fear, and ignorance. To avoid apathy, men must realize that they can gain so much more from gender equality. In order to alleviate fear, men must be invited into gender inclusion programs and initiatives – including male-only gender discussions – and be privy to male mentors who push for gender equality. Men should be encouraged to think more critically about male norms and the costs of following them, including distance from family, pressure to conform and provide and compromises to their psychological and physical health. Men and women should also be included in problem-solving.
Resource: Discussion Guide for dialog with men (see “source link” below)
Career Coaching Tip: Men are not the enemy. Even if some you work with really don’t “get it”, it’s likely that others do. Look for the men who don’t buy into male norms and seek their give them the opportunity to discussion how male norms inhibit them. Encourage them to talk openly about these challenges – especially the way following traditionally male norms can alienate them from their family. Bring these men together with women in common cause around the changes you’d like to see in the workplace. Be a leader in the effort to bring men into the dialog on work-life and gender norms. When you can, mentor men in addition to women.
Keywords: men, gender equality, work-life balance, gender development
