The Authority Gap: Why Women Are Still Taken Less Seriously Than Men, and What We Can Do About It

Journalist Sieghart debuts with a cogent analysis of the ways in which women are denied the respect and authority given to men. Contending that society’s assumptions about women stand in the way of their ability to reach their potential, Sieghart cites evidence that “women are much more likely to be interrupted than men,” that teachers encourage and expect more from boys than girls, and that women are judged based on appearance rather than competence. Sieghart also notes that neuroscientist Ben Barres, a trans man, believed that his career path and scholarly standing improved after his transition (“I can even complete a whole sentence without being interrupted by a man,” he wrote in an article Nature). Meanwhile, interviews with novelist Bernardine Evaristo, U.S. treasury secretary Janet Yellen, and other high achievers make clear that even women at the top of their fields have been underestimated, dismissed, and ignored. Sieghart’s blueprint for closing the authority gap includes advice for individuals (“Become aware of our bias in everyday interactions”) and employers (“Keep meticulous track of how women are doing in our organization compared with men”). Skillfully interweaving psychology, sociology, politics, and pop culture, this a persuasive introduction to the problem of gender bias. (Feb.)