Gender Gap Research Paper

Gender gap is defined as “the differences between women and men, especially as reflected in social, political, intellectual, cultural, or economic attainments or attitudes” (Dictionary.com, 2021). Throughout the world this is a recurring issue that most women deal with on a daily basis. This could range from anything like men picking up things for women because they are “not capable on their own”, or even not being able to finish their degree because it is more likely to be given to a man. One subject that this occurs frequently in is computing. “In 1985, only 37 percent of computer science university and college degrees went to women; by 2014, that percentage had dropped to 18 percent” (Baecker, 32). Not only is there gender inequality in the real world, but in the virtual one as well. This takes place in even the biggest of computer gaming companies like Nintendo and Sega Genesis. The portrayal of women in these games are oversexualized or even nonexistent. In an analysis conducted by T.L. Dietz, it was revealed that:

there were no female characters in 41% of the games with characters. In 28% of these, womenwere portrayed as sex objects. Nearly 80% of the games included aggression or violence as part of the strategy or object. While 27% of the games contained socially acceptable aggression, nearly half included violence directed specifically at others and 21% depicted violence directed at women. Most of the characters in the games were Anglo. (Baecker)

It is important for people to understand and recognize that this is a pressing issue in society today and should be addressed rather than overlooked. After recognizing these issues Carnegie Mellon University began to make a step in the right direction by mounting an effort to raise the percentage of women entering the computer science undergraduate program. Since implementing this program, the percentage of women graduates has risen from 7 percent in 1995 to 42 percent in 2000. (Baecker) 

A more pressing issue that has begun in the past two years is that of gender inequality during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As summarized by a new UN report about COVID-19 and girls and women, this shadow pandemic can be seen in a spike in domestic violence as girls and women are sheltering-in-place with their abusers; the loss of employment for women who hold the majority of insecure, informal and lower-paying jobs; the risk shouldered by the world’s nurses, who are predominantly women; and the rapid increase in unpaid care work that girls and women mostly provide already. (The Shadow Pandemic, 2020)

The reason that the spike of unemployment in women is due to the fact that 70 percent of all informal workers are made up of women. Due to Covid-19, the informal jobs are the first to go, putting around 740 million women in danger of losing their jobs. (The Shadow Pandemic, 2020).

We should not just sit back and watch as this continues, but instead we should become active in order to solve it. Even the average person can positively affect the gender gap by doing these four key things. First, it is important to treat all staff fairly, regardless if they are in a management position or not. Secondly, one must create an inclusive culture, meaning that no matter the gender of the person you work with, it is important to not leave someone out simply because you believe they are not mentally or physically capable. Thirdly, one should ensure equal access to opportunities, and finally, enable all staff to reach their full potential. One person cannot solve gender inequality, but if everyone joins in and even does just these four simple things, it could help make the workplace and the internet a much better place with equal opportunities for everyone.