Response to Community Post #1- Diversity at Google
New York Times' article "Exposing Hidden Bias at Google" by Farhad Manjoo discuses a very controversial topic that many people have taken an interest in. The topic of diversity and/or racism in the work place. According to the article, 70% of Google's workforce are men, and out of the 36 executives, only 3 are woman. Does this mean google is a sexually bias against woman? Well, it not just google whose workforce is unbalanced. According a chart in the article Apple's workforce consists 70% mal, Facebook 69%, Twitter 70% and yahoo 62%. This sparks an immediate question to reader, does almost every major social media and internet company hire a majority of men? Lets explore that Question.
According to the National Bureau of Economic research, women are outnumbering men as time goes by when it comes to graduating college. The report states that "In 2003, there were 1.35 females for every male who graduated from a four-year college and 1.3 females for every male undergraduate. That contrasts with 1960, when there were 1.6 males for every female graduating from a U.S. four-year college and 1.55 males for every female undergraduate" (http://www.nber.org/digest/jan07/w12139.html). So, are companies like google purposely hiring males even though women are increasing their college graduate rates?
Although google claims to be making efforts to, google employee Mr.Bock read the New York Times article and began to wonder if there really was racism and sexists at google. He conducted many tests and learned something new. Most people were not aware that they were racist or sexist, it was unconsciously coming out. As employees began to evaluate a female worker, Mr. Bock reminded them that they were all men and they should be cautious. Later, she was promoted (NYTimes: Exposing Hidden Biases at Google to Improve Diversity) So maybe google is making a change. We will just have to wait and see.
I agree, Google might be making a change. But honestly, I don't think they will. It is easier said than done, and maybe Google will just pretend like this whole gender-related bias thing never happened. I think they'll keep hiring more men instead of women because they most likely still believe that their profits will significantly increase if they hire more men.
ReplyDeleteI found your data about the female college graduation rates vs male college graduation rates very interesting. I never knew that back in 1960, females were graduating at a much lower rate than males. I do think that Google is hiring males despite improvement in female college graduation rates.
ReplyDeleteThe data you propose is interesting, but data on the number of women pursuing computer science and engineering would be even more helpful.
ReplyDeleteI found that the evidence that you provided made your argument stronger. The statistics helped get the point across, showing a clear difference in employment rates between genders. Google needs to make a change because women deserve the same chances as men to be hired. If you could make a change in the diversity, what would you do to improve the employment of women in companies such as Google?
ReplyDeleteNice evidence, you're right, if women are graduating more than men why aren't they hired more? You should've presented your views on why they're not, as you kind of skipped that whole part over after presenting strong data. Speaking of data, you certainly did your research. Nice response!
ReplyDeleteYour opinion on the matter was a bit unclear, but I agree with all the points you made. I liked the research you did on the male/female employment statistics across other social platforms as well, since Google obviously isn't the only company with issues on their employment gender ratios.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with Miguel on how Google's efforts probably won't make a huge difference though. Most likely, they will just sweep the whole affair under the rug after the incident dies down, and continue to hire a disproportionately high number of men. Changing centuries-old beliefs of male superiority is not going to be easy at all, but at the very least, we can still hope for a change for the better, no matter how small.
I agree with Teresa that your opinion was a bit unclear. I think that you didn't quite finish your thoughts on each topic presented. However, the topics you did bring up were of relevance and interesting, This is kind of random, but how is a person considered 1.6...
ReplyDeleteA person can be considered 1.6 because its the average, kind of similar to the average number of children per woman is 1.9 in the United States.
DeleteI enjoyed how you tied the college graduation rate of females vs. males with their hiring rate. That information was insightful and helped your claim. Although I agree with Theresa and Alannah where I didn't completely quite understand your opinion on this situation. I also would've liked to hear more about why it might be that woman are not hired as much as men even with a higher graduation rate. Overall an insightful response and nice research!
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