National Counselor Exam (NCE)

What situation might arouse gender bias?

1. A woman entering a male-dominated field, or a man entering a female-dominated field

2. A woman applying for a management position

3. A man seeking work as a nurse

4. A woman coaching a male sports team

The correct answer is: A woman entering a male-dominated field, or a man entering a female-dominated field

The situation that is most likely to arouse gender bias is characterized by individuals entering fields that are traditionally dominated by the opposite gender. When a woman enters a male-dominated field, or a man enters a female-dominated field, it challenges societal norms and stereotypes about gender roles. Such scenarios often lead to biased attitudes and assumptions regarding the capabilities and qualifications of these individuals based solely on their gender. This can be rooted in longstanding beliefs about what jobs are "appropriate" for men and women, which may lead to resistance and discrimination. In contrast, while other scenarios may also invoke bias to some extent, they do not represent the same degree of challenge to established gender norms across an entire field. For instance, a woman applying for a management position may still be within a variety of sectors that accept women in leadership roles, albeit with certain biases still present. Similarly, a man seeking work as a nurse or a woman coaching a male sports team might face scrutiny, but these situations are less about entering an entire field and more about individual job roles, which may not evoke the same systemic bias associated with gendered fields overall.