A Sexist Academia? Gender-based Inequalities in the Professional Experience of Female Social Scientists in Mexico

Abstract

This article presents a qualitative study on the experiences of gender-based inequality among 20 female social scientists in university teaching or research positions in Mexico, to identify the ongoing sexist mechanisms in their work environments. The methodology adopted was feminist ethnography, centered on dialogical interaction with the female academics and the interpretive analysis of their narratives. The study is part of a large-scale project developed in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. The results of the Mexican case reveal that thirteen interviewees experienced gender-based inequalities in their experiences with male academic colleagues and nine with their male superiors. Seven women mentioned these situations with other female academics who held leadership positions. These findings will be discussed in four main axes: 1) reproductive inequalities in relation to men; 2) asymmetries of recognition and power; 3) salary and task distribution gaps; and 4) inequalities driven by women. The findings indicate that sexism is widespread and normalized in the professional environments analyzed. The interconnected character of androcentric obstacles prevents female academics from developing their professional careers free from violence and on equal terms.