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It has been a long and winding road, the path for women and equality; a plight that ranged from the most pressing academic challenges to personal issues within the family structure. Only until 1980, we had women attending college in equal numbers to men. Back then, it seemed that women were swimming against the current, and in many ways, it seems it still is no different. This past August, executives at Google made the decision to fire an engineer who wrote a memo questioning woman in tech. In the internal memo, James Damore expressed his thoughts on diversifying the workplace and the inclusiveness of women in tech. I acknowledge that Damore’s memo has been accused in the media as in favor of “male separatism” and “the end of gender diversity efforts.” Therefore, I encourage readers to read the memo with an open mind before reading any articles that could be right or left wing biased.
Damore makes a mostly fair argument when he says, “Feminism has made great progress in freeing women from the female gender role, but men are still very much tied to the male gender role. If we, as a society, allow me to be more “feminine,” then the gender gap will shrink, although probably because men will leave tech and leadership for traditionally “feminine” roles.” He wrongly assumes, however, that by allowing men to be “feminine” they will leave the tech industry. He adds, “The traditionalist system of gender does not deal well with the idea of men needing support. Men are expected to be strong, to not complain, and to deal with problems on their own.”Here, Damore makes a good argument since equality needs to challenge gender roles. Yet, the rest of his proves, in my humble opinion, the following flaws.
Damore presents some research to back up his claim that women are more prone to anxiety and therefore less likely to pick high-stress jobs. However, there are generalizations that are not backed up by evidence, such as “Openness directed towards feelings and aesthetics rather than ideas. Women generally also have a stronger interest in people rather than things, relative to men.” Or “Extraversion expressed as gregariousness rather than assertiveness, Also, higher agreeableness.” It’s absurd to think that women are less reasonable than men because of their “soft nature,” although Damore does mention that these are generalizations, he is contributing to the stereotype by even considering them as factors. Furthermore, in his attempts to differentiate men and women, he argues that men are more assertive than women which is why men are more likely to get hired and receive bigger salaries. This argument lacks reason. These are not biological differences between men and women but a social conditioning issue. When a woman is assertive or aggressive, she faces negative treatment compared to a man who shows these same characteristics.
Damore also writes, “The same compassion for those seen as weak, creates political correctness.” Although women have been historically disadvantaged this should not be perceived as weak, or in need of protection. As Mary Wollstonecraft said, “If girls were only treated as boys in terms of their fear and displays of weakness, they would grow up to be more respectable.” It is important to acknowledge that both men and women have differences that are both advantageous and disadvantages for both genders. We often do a disservice when we pretend that men and women are equal. It’s important to clarify these distinctions. Women do play different roles within society, raising children for example, but this doesn’t mean that our mind is incapable to do the same things men do. It is still important to advocate towards equal opportunities regardless gender so we can leave a legacy for our children that we can be proud of.
Upon reading it carefully, there are some valid points. Damore, however, fails to present a reasonable argument to a more diverse workplace. The memo in itself should’ve started a conversation between the company instead of demanding his immediate dismissal. In order to have an equal opportunity for integration for women, the mind should be cultivated through discussion.