BARRIERS & BRIDGES

Women’s Rights & Obstacles in STEM & Chess

Women’s rights have certainly come a long way since the middle of the 20th century, when the second-wave feminist movement first started calling for gender equality that challenged the patriarchy and extended into every domain of life. However, even as the conversation (and protestation) has continued non-stop since the 1960s, when women first started making these demands, today the fight for equal opportunities, representation and compensation still continues…and shows no sign of slowing down. And the reason for this is that there are still so many fields that remain male-dominated today, including STEM fields and chess.

In this day and age, there are many policies that have been implemented across countless organizations that work, to not only protect women in the workplace but also encourage them to enter and persevere in previously male-dominated fields. Even though there has been a notable rise in the number of women entering and remaining in male-dominated fields, a significant discrepancy persists, leaving many perplexed and asking the crucial question: "Why?"

The issue is notably complex and varies depending on where you are in the world, as well as how progressive and inclusive different societies and cultures are regarding women’s rights. However, based on numerous articles and research studies conducted, it can be concluded that there are two major categories of obstacles that keep women a minority across so many professions and fields: external obstacles and internal obstacles.

EXTERNAL OBSTACLES

There are a plethora of societal, environmental, and cultural obstacles that women have been battling seemingly forever, in order to close the gender gap in professional spheres.

A notable barrier, which is distinctly hard to regulate and therefore overcome, is hostility in the workplace. While many organizations have rules around equality in their structures, that does not necessarily mean that the attitudes and opinions of employees— from managers to colleagues— are kept in check. While outright hostility towards women (sabotage, inappropriate actions/comments) can be monitored and curbed, it is incredibly difficult to observe and pinpoint a lack of helpfulness, amicability, and camaraderie in the workplace. These factors can make it intimidating for women to work effectively and become integral parts of teams.

In chess, key figures in the sport have previously made sexist and derogatory statements that undermine women. In an interview, Gary Kasparov once said, “There is chess and women’s chess,” and later commented on “the imperfections of the feminine psyche” and how women tend to lack a “killer instinct.” Other Grandmasters, including Bobby Fischer and Nigel Short, have made similar remarks. While some later recanted their statements, others did not. These attitudes still persist in various industries today, discouraging women from pursuing careers in male-dominated fields.

INTERNAL OBSTACLES

A lack of representation can also create a subconscious gender bias in the minds of parents, leading them to avoid introducing their daughters to certain subjects or sports, like chess, because of their association with "male-oriented activities." This is an example of the first internal obstacle that keeps the gender gap wide: internalized gender-role biases.

That is why, at Girl Boss Chess, we encourage educators and parents to simply ask their daughters if they want to learn chess. This simple action opens doors and demonstrates that no field or domain is “off-limits” due to gender.

Studies have shown that girls are influenced by "stereotype threat," where individuals underperform because they are aware of a negative stereotype about their group. In chess, experiments have revealed that women perform equally well against male opponents when identities remain anonymous. However, when they know they are facing men, their performance declines. This subconscious belief impacts their confidence and outcomes.

It is crucial to counter these mental obstacles early on, before patriarchal narratives become limiting beliefs. Encouraging a growth mindset from a young age is key.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPOWERMENT & REPRESENTATION

László Polgár, Hungarian chess teacher, psychologist, and father to the Polgár sisters (including Judit Polgár, widely regarded as the best female chess player of all time), famously believed that “geniuses are made, not born.” He raised his daughters with rigorous training, instilling confidence and skill, which allowed them to achieve remarkable success in chess. Judit even defeated Garry Kasparov, leading him to renounce his previous stance on women in chess, admitting, “I don’t believe that now.”

At Girl Boss Chess, we hold to Polgár’s philosophy— that confidence and empowerment are essential in closing the gender gap. Our students don’t just learn chess strategy. They learn about the history of the Queen piece, the legacies of women in STEM, and are encouraged to embrace failure as a tool for growth.

References:

• Reference 1
• Reference 2
• Reference 3

By Sally Sampson