In the world of chess, where males dominate the scene, young female chess players often find themselves facing gender bias.
The experiment is one of the first researchers to provide significant evidence of gender bias against young female chess players.
Let's find out more about it.
The Study Details
The research involved 285 parents and mentors of 655 kids who were part of the U.S. Chess Federation.
Notably, the majority of the adults were men, and the majority of the children were boys, mirroring the well-known gender imbalances in chess.
Uncovering Gender Bias
The research uncovered a prevalent bias among parents and mentors.
They often underestimated the potential of young female chess players compared to their male counterparts, particularly if they believed that extraordinary talent was necessary to excel in chess.
Furthermore, mentors who subscribed to this belief were more likely to believe that girls might quit chess due to perceived lack of ability.
How it's unfair
In the chess world, men have traditionally dominated the landscape, leaving only a small percentage of players who are girls or women.
Recently, over 100 prominent female chess players and coaches voiced their concerns about issues like sexism and sexual violence within the chess community.
The Call for Change
This research emphasizes the need to address gender bias in the chess world.
It's noteworthy that this bias can exist even among those who are closest to young female players, such as their parents and mentors.
The study highlights the importance of creating a more inclusive and fair environment in chess, ensuring that all young players, regardless of their gender, have the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
