The gender gap has been a prominent issue within education and employment for decades. Multiple efforts have been made to increase the opportunities for women, as men have traditionally held slight advantages in these areas. However, this has shifted, and now younger generations of women are pulling ahead of men in education and employment, raising concerns that men may be falling behind.
Gender equality has been at the forefront of many initiatives in the UK, with significant progress made, although this breakthrough in the gender gap can be seen in the US too. McKinsey and Company, through their own research have found that companies with more women in leadership positions than men outperform other companies. However, there is still room for improvement. Our systems–government, employment, and others–remain patriarchal. If younger generations of men lose interest in employment, the workforce could become predominantly female, therefore these structures may need to change.
Without intervention and encouragement, the UK may face a predominantly female workforce in the near future. If this occurs, policies will need to adapt. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has already begun making changes to current policies and introducing new ones to suit a female-dominated workforce. Key policy changes, including flexible work schedules and increased opportunities to work remotely, help to accommodate for commuting and childcare responsibilities.
Beyond policy, the societal implications of such a shift are too significant to ignore. As women become the primary providers, leading in education, careers, and family life, men may risk becoming marginalised in society. The recent progress made in the breaking down of traditional gender roles has allowed men to become more family-oriented, with many taking on the role of stay-at-home dads or primary caregivers. However, research shows that women still make up the majority of primary caregivers. If men continue to regress in education and employment, neglecting both career and family responsibilities, their mental health could suffer as well due to isolation and a feeling of a lack of accomplishment.
Though a world led by women may seem ideal to some, the reality is more complex. Many jobs, particularly in industries traditionally dominated by men, remain unattractive to women, although progress has been made as 1 in 4 new roles in traditionally male fields are taken by women. The predominant issue is the increase in male unemployment, the unemployment rate for young women is 8.7% whereas for men it is 14.2%. Without men in these roles, the foundations of society could deteriorate.
To avoid this situation, we need to encourage men to pursue education and employment. Rather than prioritising men, which may reverse the progress made to improve gender-based inequalities, we should create environments where they feel welcome and encouraged to participate. As a society, we should aim for a world where no one is discriminated against based on age, gender, race, sexuality, or religion. Opportunities should be based on merit, education, passion, and knowledge.
Ultimately, society is too complex for a single solution. As we continue to progress, our approaches must evolve to address these ongoing societal changes.
