Second-generation gender bias

Second-generation gender bias is a form of gender bias that appears neutral or not overtly sexist, but which discriminates against women because it reflects the values of the men who created or developed the setting, usually a workplace.[1] It is contrasted with first-generation bias, which is deliberate, usually involving intentional exclusion.[2]

An example of second-generation gender bias is that leaders are expected to be assertive, so that women who act in a more collaborative fashion are not viewed as leaders, but women who do act assertively are often perceived as too aggressive.[1] This kind of bias, or gender stereotyping, can be entirely unconscious.[3]

  1. ^ a b Sherrie Bourg Carter, "The Invisible Barrier: Second Generation Gender Discrimination", Psychology Today, 1 May 2011.
  2. ^ Susan Ehrlich Martin, Nancy C. Jurik, Doing Justice, Doing Gender, SAGE Publications, 2006, p. 126.
  3. ^ Rita Gardiner, Gender, Authenticity and Leadership, Palgrave Macmillan, 2015, p. 52.