Myth: women ‘choose’ not to put themselves forward for jobs, promotions & upward opportunities. It’s a confidence problem.

Truth: the system actively discourages & obstructs women from doing so. It’s a stereotype, structure & a status quo problem.

#11February
#WomenInScience

Let’s take track record of grant funding. A major indicator of success in science. Women less likely to get grants because of:
career breaks for caring
part-time working
doing more unrewarded academic housework (admin, mentoring, teaching)
Nothing to do with confidence.

Less grants means less chance of getting more grants. You get assessed based on your track record of grants. Also means less support from others to get grants. That’s still the case and it’s a vicious cycle. This is one way the system obstructs career progression.

And then comes the assumption that you’re not working hard enough to get grants. No, you’re working hard on actually leading & supporting others and preventing the system from collapsing. That same system that is discouraging you. This should be rewarded not penalised.

The real expectation is that you do all & you do more. That you compete with those doing less. Those who prioritise their time & effort to focus on career advancement over system support and citizenship. That’s not fair, and it’s not a real choice for many based on their values.

Actually -and I’ve come to realise this late- it takes more confidence to do what you believe is right, to say what you think needs to be said, to not copy selfish behaviour & to critically approach the status quo with a drive to change it not ‘blend in’ within an unfair system.

One last thought:
Senior women scientists can discourage other women scientists. They can expect them to do things the same way they did. To make the same sacrifices. To accept the same injustices. That’s a very painful truth and it’s exactly how the patriarchy works.