While more women than ever before are smashing through the glass ceiling to earn top jobs in corporate America, this outcome remains a rarity rather than a rule. Americans believe there are a number of factors holding women back, according to a new study released by the Pew Research Center. Many of those factors are likely to surprise women who have long faced stereotypes in the workplace.
Pew’s study involved an online survey of 1,835 randomly selected adults during the period of Nov. 12-21, 2014. The study focused not only on women in business leadership roles, but also in positions of political power.
Where Women Stand
Make no mistake, women have come a long way. Pew points out while only 26 women serve as CEOs of Fortune 500 companies today, there were none in 1995. In regard to those board positions, the current 17% held by women is up from 10% in 1995.
When a light is cast on women in political leadership positions, it points to a rising trend, as well. Women make up about 19% of Congress today, which is roughly double the share of 20 years ago.
Women have also come a long way in professional fields and managerial positions. In 2013, more than half of these positions, 52.2%, were held by women. That is up from 30.6% in 1968. Women, however, continue to trail their male counterparts in regard to senior management positions, Pew pointed out.
Factors Standing in the Way
Participants in the Pew study pointed to a number of factors they see as barriers for women seeking to gain top executive business positions. Six major reasons led the pack:
- Women are held to higher standards, 43% of respondents agreed with this
- Companies are not ready to hire women leaders, 43%
- Family responsibilities get in the way, 23%
- Lack of connections, 20%
- Women just aren’t tough enough, 9%
- Women aren’t as good at being managers, 7%
Other Key Factors
Pew’s study also pointed to a number of other factors that might be holding that glass ceiling in place. They include:
- Gender discrimination – Interestingly enough, Pew’s study points to a gender gap on this perception. About 65% of women say their gender faces some discrimination today. Roughly 48% of men agreed.
- Persistence of stereotypes – The types of positions respondents felt women were suited for cast a light on this aspect. About 54% of respondents said men would do a better job of running a pro sports team. About 45% thought men had the advantage for leading gas or oil companies. The general public, however, is two and a half times more likely to say a woman is better suited for running a hospital or major retail chain.
While the Pew study shows the majority of Americans believe women are equally qualified as their male counterparts to lead, barriers still exist.
