Gender stereotypes die hard, including in major schools

Many college students discover that they have gender stereotypes when asked about professional skills, even though they thought they did not have any.

The gender stereotype is a bit like Captain Haddock’s plaster. It stays stuck for a long time, and when you think you’ve gotten rid of it, hello, there it is again. This is shown by the third barometer of the French Association of Diversity Managers (AFMD) and the Conference of Grandes Ecoles, which surveyed 3,500 students in business and engineering schools. That is to say the future managers of tomorrow.

Initially, they have a rather egalitarian vision

80% immediately affirm that women and men have the same skills and the same professional qualities. But when we submit a detailed list to them, things falter. Captain Haddock’s plaster reappears in 60% of them. Empathy, listening, sensitivity and communication are returned to women. The ability to manage stress, authority, leadership to men.

Notably, female stereotypes are linked to interpersonal skills that are not specifically professional, underlines one of the authors of the study. While masculine stereotypes are linked to know-how, associated with positions of responsibility.

Students also questioned on the notion of ambition

What is interesting is that more female students than male students declare themselves ambitious. They are 56%. While it is traditionally an aspiration reserved for men. But the expectations are not necessarily the same.

Ambitious girls want to help others, or the planet, first, then balance their lives, then make money. Ambitious boys want salary first, then understand and solve problems, then balance their personal life. The priorities are not quite the same.

Why is it so important to deconstruct gender stereotypes?

Because they exert a direct influence on the choice of studies and profession, and because prejudices lead to discrimination, underline the authors of the study. This is why we find a majority of boys in scientific fields or engineering schools, and a majority of women in healthcare or communication professions. This requires strengthening awareness and training.