New Study Reveals Major Barrier to Male Allyship

New Study Reveals Major Barrier to Male Allyship In the wake of the MeToo movement, the ways in which gender dynamicsplay out in the workplace have garnered well-deserved and, frankly, long-awaitednational attention. And in response to the movement, a group of Hollywood elites signed an open letter asking men to take more responsibility for ridding workplaces of sexism and to be better allies to their female colleagues the letter ultimately launched the start of the AskMoreofHim movement, which highlights the role men play in preventing gender-based violence.But new research by Janine Bosakof Dublin City University suggeststhat when men do act as adcovates and allies, theyre faced with backlash both from other men and from other women. According to theresearch,men who stand upfor victims of sexism and sexual abuse (or anyone in the workplace other than themselves), essentially behaving contrary to the stereotypes with which theyre associated, are perceived as less likeable, less co mpetent and less suitable for certain jobs than men who carry on focused on themselves and their individualsuccess.The researchers looked at 149 professionals who participated in the online study that wasostensibly about perceptions and decision-making. Evenly divided by gender, they were tasked withexaminingapplication materials from male and female candidates who were described as either types who tend to advocate for themselves or types who tend to advocate for their teams.The self-advocating applicant was described asa fierce worker who diligently works for success and wants to receive credit where due and is excellent at promoting himself. The other-advocating applicant was described as a strong negotiator on behalf of this team and a fierce worker who diligently guides his team to success.The studys participants rated the candidates likeability, competence and how much theyd recommend the partie be let go if the company were to downsize. And, ultimately, male candidates who ad vocated for others got worse reviews by both the men and women alike in the study.The research therefore suggests that workplaces need to do a better job at creating a culture that promotes teamwork and that does not hold men and women to different standards or have different expectations of employeesbased on their gender. Workplaces need to work on rewarding teamwork and promoting allyship among coworkers.And to AskMoreofHim, men need to hold each other accountable because, the more men speak up, the more other men will, and the less backlash theyll face. Women do it for each other every day, even despite the consequences.--AnnaMarie Houlis is a multimedia journalist and an adventure aficionado with a keen cultural curiosity and an affinity for solo travel. Shes an editor by day and a travel blogger at HerReport.org by night.