Gender equality is one of those loaded topics that can bring conversation to a halt. Women’s empowerment has been portrayed as a link to all that men have lost, whether its perceived loss of professional opportunities or loss of the privilege of not having to deal with housework or childcare. There is a fear that expectation of females being subordinate …
In the challenging work of supporting diversity in the workplace – and diversity as it relates to social justice more broadly – allies play a critical role. But before exploring why allies make such a difference, it makes sense to begin with the question: what exactly is an ally? The definition that most accurately captures my vision of a diversity …
Most millennials, particularly those that are highly educated, see an egalitarian marriage as the ideal. Yet despite improvements, a clear divide persists in how women and men perceive – and experience – gender equality. Men are far more optimistic about progress for women in the workplace and both genders don’t see eye-to-eye regarding what the other contributes to the care of …
The business case or economic justification for gender diversity is front and center in any discussion of the subject. Yet as a veteran diversity consultant, I don’t see the business case is getting the job done. It’s not that the business case is unimportant. Clearly, it’s critical but while the business case is necessary, it’s not sufficient. There has long …
Gender equality is not about winning a war! The war metaphor distracts us with finger pointing, blaming, and endlessly seeking to justify who’s the perpetrator and who’s the victim. The war metaphor keeps us stuck. The reality is we all – both women and men – fall victim to highly gendered thinking. We are stuck in gender binaries and it …
Gender diversity is on the radar in corporate America after more than 10 years of research highlighting the economic benefits of women in leadership roles. Companies have invested in gender initiatives that aim to support women’s advancement and diversify the leadership pipeline. Some companies have been at it for multiple decades. Yet, the results seem to be much ado about …
Feminists wore bustles, marched for the vote, burned their bras and demanded equality. So is it mission accomplished? Why are some women rejecting feminism? Why are some men embracing it? What role does feminism play today, and what does it mean to be a feminist in the 21st Centruy? Lisa Levey, diversity consultant, advocate for men in the gender debates, …
It’s an age-old complaint: men don’t do their share of housework and child care. But maybe it’s not just because they won’t. Maybe it’s because women resist it. Sounds like an old Phyllis Schlafley idea (Google it, kids). We women work hard and we want men to help pull the domestic weight. But consultant Lisa D’Annolfo Levey, a national advocate …
Women have earned the majority of bachelor’s and master’s degrees for more than 30 years. They’ve represented over 40% of law school and medical school graduates for more than two decades. Women are the majority of the management and professional workforce in the U.S. Yet, they account for only 25% of senior-level officials in the Fortune 500, 27% of state …
How gender equality affects their children, their workplaces, and a man’s mate. I’ve had the good fortune to see the many ways in which gender equality is good for men through my consulting, my research, and in my own life. And I have also come to understand how loaded and confusing gender equality can be for men. At a presentation …
Madame President or Mrs. President, which should it be? We are on the cusp of developing a whole new vocabulary for describing the first woman to be the leader of the free world yet, there has been strangely little focus on just how historic this is. I know I share the sentiment of so many women, and men, in saying …
Gender equality starts with the recognition that idealized roles—at work and at home—constrain us all. This four-part series on why gender equality is powerfully beneficial for men began with data. In comparison to men who share less equally with their partner or spouse in the care of their children, those men who are more involved: Are healthier, both mentally and …
Men’s experiences of and satisfaction with work and income This article is a follow-up to an earlier piece published on February 14th, Valentine’s Day. The central message was: Men in egalitarian marriages and relationships enjoy many benefits. This is not common knowledge. The article highlighted findings from a study of millennial fathers conducted by the Boston College Center for Work & Family, …
Research shows gender equality for men translates to greater career flexibility, more financial security, and more time for life outside of work. As Valentine’s Day approaches, many men feel pressure to send the flowers, buy the jewelry, arrange and pay for the nice dinner while you seem to hear much less about what women need to be doing ahead of …
Every once in a while you come across someone who changes the way you think about the world. This amazing woman, this visionary leader, is one of those people. Imagine your 15 year old son – a terrific kid, a bookworm, a youth working to make his community a better place, a dreamer with the goal of being president someday …