A recent study conducted at Brigham Young University and
Princeton has revealed that significant gender inequality still
exists for women when debating issues in mixed-gender settings.
According to new research, when compared to men, women are less
inclined to speak and share their opinions when they're
outnumbered. Given the importance of speech as a means for self-
actualization and group decision making, the study shows there's
still much work to be done to ensure equal representation at any
kind of bargaining table. And what's most striking (if not
disturbing) about the study is the degree to which women choose
to silence themselves in such settings (whether it be
consciously or unconsciously). The research, which appeared in
American Political Science Review and was led by Chris Karpowitz
and Tali Mendelberg, revealed that women speak 25% less than men
when they're outnumbered — and as much as 35% less in particular
cases. The research indicates that women, in any number of
settings requiring deliberation