HBR Guide for Women at Work (HBR Guide Series)

CHAPTER 29

Stop “Protecting” Women from Challenging Work

by Kristen Jones and Eden King

A 2016 poll by the Pew Research Center suggests that more than half of men think sexism is a thing of the past. In contrast, only about one-third of women agree. One reason for the disagreement may stem from misunderstandings about the kinds of behavior that constitute sexism. Indeed, an important body of research conducted by Susan Fiske of Princeton and Peter Glick of Lawrence University demonstrates that prejudice toward women can take obvious and not-so-obvious forms.¹ Both forms are destructive. But our research shows that this latter “benevolent” form of sexism is exceptionally damaging, particularly in the workplace. It primarily manifests itself in ...