Beyond bearable: Gender equality and the benefits of systemic change in academia

A commentary Annika Nübolt (Assistant Professor Work & Social Psychology, UM) wrote on a focal article by Gabriel et al. that was recently published in one of the flagship journals in het field (work and organizational psychology). The focal article is on the importance of supporting female academics as they navigate demands pertaining to pregnancy, motherhood, and child caregiving. It suggests individual level strategies within organizations to support female scholars, as the political system in the US does not provide decent regulations that protect their well-being and work-life balance.

In the commentary, they state that 'although many European countries have decent national regulations regarding maternity and parental leave in place, systematic career disadvantages for female scholars are still highly prevalent. So to truly promote a “cultural shift that shatters the assumption that having a family is not compatible with academic success” (Gabriel et al., 2022, p. 2), they believe that we need to aim higher, beyond bearable, and work towards changing the evaluation criteria and performance standards in the academic system itself. This would provide a more sustainable and, thus, effective strategy, that accounts for pressures and problems related to work acceleration and acknowledges the perspectives of different stakeholders, working mothers, working fathers, and childfree employees alike.'

To read the article please click on added link. The focal article you can find here.