The journey of human evolution is often depicted through a series of images: from apes to a final figure of a white man standing tall and proud. This iconic image has been etched into our collective consciousness through textbooks, documentaries and even popular culture. But this depiction raises a critical question: Where are the women in this story of human evolution?
As a woman in science, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of these seemingly minor representations on the broader scale of gender inequality. The absence of women in the visual narrative of evolution is not just an oversight; it is a reflection of the deep-rooted gender biases that permeate the field of science and society as a whole. The images and language we use to narrate the developmental history and progress shape our collective understanding of who we are and who we can become. When the story of human evolution is depicted solely through the lens of a man, it sends an implicit yet powerful message about whose experiences and contributions are valued. This exclusionary narrative not only marginalizes women and people of colour but also perpetuates the notion that men are the default and dominant figures in the story of humanity. This oversight isn’t merely about accuracy; it’s about equity and the opportunity for all individuals to see themselves as integral parts of our shared human journey.
The Impact on Women in Science
These prejudices affect women in science in real ways, it is commonly recognized that women are underrepresented in scientific areas and that they face numerous obstacles to entry, retention, and progress. Women frequently have fewer opportunity to obtain jobs as a result of gender prejudice in hiring methods, particularly in higher-ranking posts. Even when women do choose careers in science, they frequently experience lower compensation than their male colleagues. Research has indicated that women in the scientific field make less money than men do, even after controlling for employment role, education, and experience. Another major issue is the absence of mentoring, which is vital for professional development since it offers direction, encouragement, and networking possibilities. But in many scientific fields, there aren’t enough female mentors, which might leave young women without the resources they need to succeed in their professions. Because there is a lack of mentorship, women are less likely to become leaders, which means that there are even fewer mentors for the following generation. These hurdles are strengthened by the portrayal of evolution as a male-only endeavor, which obliquely implies that women are outsiders in the field of scientific investigation and discoveries.
Education materials and popular media that regularly feature males as scientists and pioneers in developmental biology convey the idea that science is a field dominated by men, with women as mere observers. Because of this representation, young women may be deterred from pursuing professions in science because they may think their contributions won’t be valued or that they don’t belong. Moreover, the lack of representation of women in the story of human evolution adds to the feeling of being an impostor that many women in science encounter. A psychological condition known as “imposter syndrome” causes people to mistrust their achievements and worry about being discovered as “frauds.” It might be difficult for women to feel legitimate and a part of their sector when they do not see themselves reflected in its founding narratives.
Women may question their ability and deservingness of being in scientific environments as a result of this lack of representation, which can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy. To counteract these biases, it’s crucial to highlight the contributions of women who have made significant strides in fields of science like biology, for example, Barbara McClintock who won Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1983 for discovering “jumping genes” or transposons. Despite her groundbreaking work, McClintock faced significant bias and skepticism from her peers. During her early career, her innovative ideas were often dismissed, and she struggled to gain recognition in a male-dominated field. It wasn’t until decades later that her contributions were fully acknowledged, exemplifying the challenges women face in receiving due credit for their scientific achievements. Similarly, we have Esther Lederberg, Marie Maynard Daly, Nettie Maria Stevens, Maria Goeppert-Mayer unfortunately we haven’t heard some of these names.
We frequently hear about the “fathers” of various scientific disciplines, such as the father of microbiology or the father of genetics, but rarely do we hear about the “mothers” of these fields. This linguistic bias further entrenches the notion that significant scientific contributions are predominantly male, ignoring the substantial impact made by women.
Language Matters
A further important step is to change the language we use. Words like “mankind” ought to give way to more inclusive terms like “humankind” or just “humanity” Even while this might seem like a minor change, it has the power to alter attitudes and advance a more inclusive conception of our species’ identity.
In the same spirit, gender-neutral terminology should be a goal for scientific writing and communications. This entails making “they” the default pronoun rather than “he” and making sure that case studies and examples show a fair representation of genders and making these adjustments may call for deliberate effort, but doing so is necessary to build a scientific community that is more inclusive and egalitarian.
Toward a Future of Inclusive Scientific Narratives
The story of human evolution is one of tenacity, inventiveness, and diversity. It is a narrative that, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, or upbringing, is our collective, rethinking how we depict and talk about this journey can help us to tell a fairer and more inclusive story that values the contributions of each and every person. A diversified strategy is needed to address these problems. It is necessary to update instructional materials to feature a variety of scientists and knowledge-contributors. Through the representation of women and people of color as essential components of the narrative of human evolution and scientific discovery, we can encourage a wider range of youth to pursue their career in science.
References
The Woman That Never Evolved Book by Sarah Blaffer Hrdy