Space: poll results

We asked: which of the following problems might be the most difficult to fix?

The results are in...

Comments (7)

You must be logged in with Student Hub access to post a comment. Sign up now!

  • Personally, this is not what I expected to be most difficult to fix. I thought stereotypes and expectations would be first, then male-led development and male-dominated industries. Stereotypes are a big part of society in today's time because of the expectations of certain jobs that have been known for either men or women to have. However, male-led development and dominated industries are a huge problem throughout businesses as well. For example, in America, some women products are marked up because they are owned by men who only seek revenue in their lives. This is a struggle for women all across the world and continues to affect us each and every day. I personally do not see and acknowledge the "motherhood penalty" as much the other problems occur. This is why, I am shocked by the poll results and disagree with the problems that are affecting our world. Thank you.

  • Hello!
    I expected that Stereotypes and Expectations were going to dominate the poll and I was right. I mainly thought this because stereotypes, as I said in my previous comments, are rooted in society. While it is decently easy to fix the rest of these problems with good management, stereotypes are a way of thinking and there is no way to know how other people think. We can only suspect it by other people's actions which by the way from experience are very hard to read. Plus there are less open minded people in the world so stereotypes will most likely live in most people's heads for a while.

  • I was expecting that stereotypes and expectations were going to be one of the largest voted for group mostly for the reasoning that it is one of the most prevalent problems in any kind of community. Not only have stereotypes just come around in the past few years or decades, they have been here for centuries even, especially with the unsaid rules and expectations of gender roles. I'm sure anytime you've read any article or old timey story in or out of school, you might always see that they are published under a man's name. Well sometimes this man's name is actually a pseudonym for a woman to write her books under just so that she could have a better chance at having her books being read and published. This is all because society has seen women always as the ones who are in distress (an example would be any princess from fairy tales needing rescuing) and weak without men and could never be more than a man, but in reality women can be equal or even better than men at sometimes and categories.

  • The issue of the motherhood penalty remains one of the most worrisome and almost impossible to solve issues because it is so entrenched within societal norms, cultures of doing business, and economic structures. Employers tend to hold biases that mothers are less devoted employees because they have family responsibilities which can be a barrier to productivity. This results in discrimination, the most common forms being biased hiring processes, limited promotion opportunities, and even unconstructive discussion regarding salaries. Consequently, there exists a motherhood penalty which is linked to underdeveloped monetization and professional growth of most mothers caused by absence of parental leaves and their working less than full time in order to provide care services. Other constraints consist of shallow parental leaves, affordable care for children, and reasonable limits of the scope of work that could disrupt that amalgamation of motherhood and professional activity. In addition to organizational issues, social attitudes deepen the penalty because in many societies, responsibility for children is still thrown mostly on the women thus restricting their opportunities for career progression. Unlike issues of gender biases, like those dominant in men's sectors or created by men in charge of processes – problems that can relatively easily be dealt with through a change in policy or an increase in awareness – the motherhood penalty calls for radical change in the management of corporate entities, familial support systems, and many other industries.

  • Hello Topical Talk! The results presented in this chart were aligned with my expectations, as many countries struggle with stereotypes and expectations. Tackling this issue is challenging and requires a creative approach; individuals can't simply tell others to stop perpetuating these stereotypes while ensuring that those who create and make them change their behavior. The motherhood penalty is another significant challenge. Mothers often face discrimination in the workplace and must navigate the balance between their career and family responsibilities. Addressing this issue demands systematic change, such as implementing supportive workplace policies and promoting a cultural shift that values work and family equally.

    On a more positive note, the other two problems identified seem more manageable with strong and effective leadership. Leaders play a vital role in fostering comfortable and effective environments while promoting equality. Overall, while challenges like stereotypes and the motherhood penalty are significant, dedicated leadership and collective action can lead to meaningful change.

  • Hello !

    Stereotypes confine women to narrow roles, stifling their potential and progress. From childhood, girls are socialized to accept traditional expectations, perpetuating a cycle of limitation. The media plays a significant role in reinforcing these stereotypes, portraying women primarily as homemakers and caregivers. For instance, a study by UN Women found that 70% of women in advertisements are depicted in stereotypical roles. This perpetuation of stereotypes affects women's education, careers, and personal lives, limiting their choices and opportunities. Moreover, research has shown that stereotypes can have a profound impact on women's self-perception and confidence. According to a study by Harvard Business Review, 77% of people associate nursing with women, while 75% associate engineering with men. This highlights the need to challenge and dismantle these stereotypes, creating a world where women are valued, respected, and empowered to pursue their dreams without fear of judgment or discrimination. By recognizing and addressing these biases, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable society, where women have equal opportunities, equal pay, and equal representation. Ultimately, it is essential to promote diversity and inclusion, encouraging women to pursue careers and roles that are traditionally male-dominated. By doing so, we can create a brighter future for women and girls, where they are empowered to reach their full potential.

    Thank you !

  • The results of this poll surprised me a lot! I believed that the motherhood penalty would be the problem that everyone might find the hardest to fix. I thought this as it affects career progression and financial capability deeply. However, I can see why many thought that stereotypes and expectations received the most votes as they influence gender equality and can be very hard to manage. That being said, I believe that it is hard for a mother to manage her family, job, happiness and health all at the same time without collapsing!

    Think about those four categories as buckets. You have a set amount of 3 tokens to put in each one. Tokens cannot be created or destroyed, they can only be moved between categories. All categories are even, but then you become a mother and suddenly, the family category is added. Now, you have to decide which category to move a token from and add it to the family box. According to this statistic from The House of Commons Library: 36% of women work part-time compared to the 14% men.

    This means that women sacrifice their careers to maintain health and happiness while caring for their families. This issue will remain, and I cannot think of a solution. It is especially problematic for single mothers, who have no other source of income except themselves and need to work to provide for a child whilst taking care of them.

    Thank you!