During Women’s History Month, the Trump administration banned or restricted hundreds of words, including “women,” “equality,” and “feminism,” pushing back against women’s progress. It sends a loud and clear message what the current federal government thinks about progress and gender, but thankfully these views do not represent the entire country.
We often look to the younger generation for an indication of what the future may look like. Gen Z is known for pushing social justice and gender equality forward, with “feminist” no longer being a scary label, even for the majority of men. A new survey of 2,000 Americans aged 20-28 by EduBirdie shows that 83% of Gen Z women and 59% of Gen Z men consider themselves at least somewhat feminist.
While this generation is more progressive than past generations, harmful beliefs persist. A survey shows that 44% of Gen Z men think women earn less due to incompetence, and one in six still wouldn’t vote for a female president. Additionally, 36% of Gen Z men believe gender equality has already been achieved, while one in three dismiss the gender pay gap as a myth.
However, Gen Z women prove them wrong, with 61% reporting workplace bias, including sexist jokes or stereotypes (47%), harassment or inappropriate behavior (44%), and lower pay than colleagues of another gender (22%). One in seven Gen Z women has been questioned about their parenting plans in a job interview, and one in three has felt judged for how they balance their career and family.
Commenting on the results, Avery Morgan, Chief HR Officer at EduBirdie, says: “Gen Z is driving meaningful change, building on decades of women fighting for their rights. With all this progress, it’s no surprise that Gen Z women are less likely to quit their jobs to support a high-earning partner (65%) compared to Gen Z men (72%).
But we are still far from achieving gender equality in the workplace, as sexism, harassment, the pay gap, and motherhood penalties continue to persist, impacting women’s self-worth. In fact, 1 in 4 women still doubt their competence compared to men in certain fields. Overcoming these challenges will take sustained effort.”
To make it a reality, Gen Z women call for reforms like menstrual leave (78%), stronger anti-harassment policies (66%), equal parental leave (64%), and transparent salary policies (60%).
Gen Z and feminism: How gender equality divides the inclusive generation
Gen Z presents a united front when tackling the world’s most pressing issues. But when it comes to feminism, a clear divide exists. While 83% of Gen Z women consider themselves at least somewhat of a feminist, just 59% of Gen Z men would label themselves as such.
Does that suggest young men aren’t supportive of their female counterparts? Not necessarily. Rather, 36% simply believe that the fight for gender equality has already been won. However, those who know best—women—aren’t so convinced, with just 22% sharing the view that the world treats men and women as equals.
Women, wages, and worth: How Gen Z views women in the workforce
It’s undeniable: for every $1 men take home, women in the same profession earn just $0.84. Yet, 33% of Gen Z men and 21% of Gen Z women insist that the gender pay gap is nothing more than a myth.
Women aren’t paid their fair share, but according to 44% of Gen Z men and 29% of Gen Z women, there’s a good reason: men are better workers.
While 6% of men and 4% of women insist that females are inherently less capable, 38% and 25% hold the marginally less misogynistic view that men only excel in particular fields. Yet, the millions of strong and successful women thriving in construction, tech, and other male-dominated industries beg to differ.
There’s one thing Gen Z seems to agree on: women have a place in the boardroom. Some 93% of women and 89% of men insist that females are just as capable of being great leaders.
Yet, actions speak louder than words, and the polls paint a revealing picture of how Gen Z really feels. While gender isn’t a factor for most voters, 9% of women and 17% of men say they wouldn’t vote for a female presidential candidate—regardless of their policies, character, or experience.
Gender equality in the workplace: Are women treated as equals?
While 41% of Gen Z men think using gender-neutral language at work is unnecessary, 71% of Gen Z women at least try to make an effort—working hard to ensure everyone feels heard, respected, and included.
Their reward? Discrimination.
Despite their efforts to create an inclusive workplace, women’s hard work goes unrewarded—47% deal with sexist remarks, 44% face inappropriate behavior, and 22% earn less than their male colleagues. Despite still being in the early stages of their careers, 61% of Gen Z women have had to deal with workplace discrimination, compared to 48% of men.
“Lighten up, it’s just a joke”—words that every woman knows all too well. Fearing potential backlash, 55% of Gen Z women have been pressured to let workplace discrimination slide.
The work-life dilemma: Do women have it worse in the workplace?
At work, there’s one area where Gen Z men and women in the workplace receive near-equal treatment: both face unwelcomed questions about their personal lives. Some 15% of women and 13% of men have found themselves under the microscope during job interviews, facing questions on their future parenting plans, proving some biases don’t discriminate by gender.
For years, doubts over whether women can juggle their work and personal responsibilities have held back their career growth and earning potential, fueling gender inequality in organizations. Even today, 36% of Gen Z women feel judged for balancing both. However, this struggle is no longer theirs alone—30% of Gen Z men also say they’ve faced the same scrutiny.
Employers may doubt women’s career commitment, but their partners are far more supportive. Some 72% of Gen Z men insist they’re willing to quit their jobs to support a high-earning partner. However, with women having worked hard to earn respect in the workplace, only 65% of Gen Z women would be willing to do the same.
Achieving workplace gender equality: Creating a workplace that works for women
Aware of the impact periods can have on performance and productivity, 78% of Gen Z men and women believe employers should offer menstrual leave, reflecting the generational desire for workplace policies that support women and prioritize wellbeing.
However, at the top of Gen Z’s to-do list is tackling harassment, with 66% of women and 57% of men calling for stronger policies to deter harmful behavior.
Flexible working policies (demanded by 65% of women and 52% of men) are another key concern. Likewise, 64% of women and 49% of men demand equal parental leave—policy changes that would make it far easier for women to balance their work and personal responsibilities.
You can see the full report over at EduBirdie.com.
