(Disclaimer: This post is a response to the article,NYTimes: Exposing Hidden Biases at Google to Improve Diversity , please read before commenting.)
The workforce at Google is 83% male. Google itself acknowledges this fact as a problem, and is attempting to resolve it. They, as well as others believe, think, know that this is a problem of bias. Google is putting most all their employees and executives through seminars to crack down on unconscious racial, and sexual, bias. But will this really solve the problem? While Google itself is skeptical, they do still believe that this will incur a change over time that will increase diversity in the workplace. However this will not make any noticable change.
There is a reason goggle has a mostly male workplace, and while bias does have something to do with it, it mostly doesn't. The chief problem is a lack of diversity amongst those who are qualified for the job. My very own sister is going for a major in computer science, and is one of two girls in her class. To top it off most of the guys in the classes are Asian or Middle-eastern. This reflects Google, as well as other tech companies work forces. Meaning basically that there isn't a diverse population that is properly trained and applying for these jobs.
Therefore the reason for a lack of diversity in university classes stems from racial and sexual bias from a young age, perhaps even before a person is born. If so, then that means that no matter how many seminars Google and other tech giants make their employees attend, the dream of racial and sexual diversity will be just that. A dream. There is almost nothing a person or company can do to uproot the deep planted ideas of segregation. While Google's efforts are applaudable, they fittingly match the phrase of too little, too late.
He-who-shall-not-be-named, I agree with your argument that not enough women try for a "male's" job. But I still believe that we are capable of changing that. If we do manage to ease a little of the subconscious gender bias and give the same opportunities afforded to men, then I believe that women can reach a higher potential. But it should also be said that people more qualified for a job should be hired, not a less capable person of a minority race. Should the image of a tech giant like Google matter, when they're doing just fine with mostly white males?
ReplyDeleteSee you, Space Cowboy.
Hello Elmer. I do find your argument that both preconceived gender roles and ethnic backgrounds can deeply affect a person's future regardless of qualifications for a job to be valid, but it is not always a factor in all aspects of career pursuits. People variably do have a bias towards women but it is not in any means something society can't improve on. With the efforts of Google thus far, change will eventually come in the percentage of women in its workforce and it will affect the overall view of the capability of women. If other companies as well as people follow in Google's footsteps, bias can definitely be mitigated.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with your statement. Basically what your saying is, that by Google being biased about hiring women over men, which is what I believe you are implying, it will "fix" bias. That is untrue because by doing that Google is remaining biased, only changed its focus on bias. Dylan wrote a good piece on how by trying to fix bias, we may be following bias more which is a thought provoking piece. As for your statement that ethnic backgrounds are not always a factor, i must disagree there as well. A person's background is very important in which career they choose, and different ethnicticities usually have different backgrounds, making it a factor in every scenario.
DeleteI disagree and agree with parts of your argument. It will be hard to rid these deep roots of racial and gender biases; especially since it has existed in our history for so long. However, saying that these stems are rooted in someone from a young age makes teaching people about their unconscious bias behavior much more important. As the future goes on, there will be many more generations. By starting off with our generation and teaching them about their bias actions, they can teach their kids about these behaviors. They will not stem from these racial and gender prejudices, but instead learn to be more accepting towards this. They could then teach their kids and so on. Although it might take awhile, I think that diversities within society can be achieved.
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice point you brought up, and one I actually agree with. While I think Google's efforts are wasted on the older generations that work at Google, I do agree with you in the belief that there can be change. By teaching the young generations to avoid bias, as you stated, it is entirely possible for us to eliminate most bias, and this is an ideal change. Once again thank you for bringing up this point that I hadn't thought about.
DeleteYour post has given me second thoughts about gender in the workforce. At first, I thought that women were being treated unequal in the workforce however with what you stated about your sister being one of the two girls in her computer science class, it really reveals the smaller percentage of interest women have in other majors and jobs which leads to their smaller dominance within their companies.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I do agree that Google hasn`t persuaded the people enough with their seminars, I don`t think it`s too late for change. Possibly, other companies will step up their game with gender and race diversity influencing many smaller businesses and others. Maybe women will begin to dominate the business world and take more action for the better image of themselves. There are endless ideas and options that can happen throughout time. It`s never too late and even if it is, there is always room for improvement.
At this point of humanity, I will agree with parts of your claims. Society is not going to quickly recognize this problem with complete care and immediately fix it. However, people can and will eventually change. With the current amount of racial discrimination flowing in the media, Google has to make a decision that will improve their picture. White males are not the only people who use Google. If Google completely rejects this idea, it will look even more bad towards the public. Google has to finish this program now that they started it or else they'll lose popularity among the minorities being represented in the test.
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