- cross-posted to:
- technology@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- technology@lemmy.world
Almost one in five men in IT explain why fewer females work in the profession by arguing that “women are naturally less well suited to tech roles than men.”
Feel free to check the calendar. No, we have not set the DeLorean for 1985. It is still 2023, yet anyone familiar with the industry over the last 30 years may feel a sense of déjà vu when reading the findings of a report by The Fawcett Society charity and telecoms biz Virgin Media O2.
The survey of nearly 1,500 workers in tech, those who have just left the industry, and women qualified in sciences, technology, or math, also found that a “tech bro” work culture of sexism forced more than 40 percent of women in the sector to think about leaving their role at least once a week.
Additionally, the study found 72 percent of women in tech have experienced at least one form of sexism at work. This includes being paid less than male colleagues (22 percent) and having their skills and abilities questioned (20 percent). Almost a third of women in tech highlighted a gender bias in recruitment, and 14 percent said they were made to feel uncomfortable because of their gender during the application process.
I’ve never seen any of this. And I’ve worked with some very old nerds.
But I guess they’re not ‘tech bros’ so it’s not a good counter example.
They’ve also not answered surveys, nor would they answer questions like “do you think Melissa’s as good as Dave in IT”; politely, at least.
Do I need to read the article to spot the selection bias and clickbait? I think it’s all in the headline.
“Old nerds” were ostracized in school. They got started in tech when it was about coding and tech being fun; there was no crazy money in it. Even the dotcom boom can’t hold a candle to the salaries and status swirling around now. It’s a different attitude and I think it shows in how you approach work and the workplace.
Ageism is a serious topic in tech and I wonder how each generation will be viewed. Certainly “greybeards” were considered oracles of wisdom and solid foundations.