Study: 70% of women said uplifting other women is a top priority for them

By Sarah Kocher // SWNS

New York office - 646-873-7565 / usnews@swns.com

NEWS COPY w/ VIDEO & INFOGRAPHIC

Sixty-three percent of Americans believe there will always be gender discrimination in the U.S., according to new research.

The study asked 2,000 Americans about their opinions on gender inequality and found half of the 1,000 women surveyed reported they face gender discrimination nearly every day.

Of the 1,000 men surveyed, 72% agreed that women still face gender discrimination nearly every day.

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Vitamin Angels ahead of International Women’s Day, the survey found 59% of women polled felt they would have a more difficult time in a job interview if they were pregnant.

And 65% of all respondents agree that women are questioned more in-depth than men in job interviews.

The survey also asked those who were parents if they ever experienced a moment of “parent-shaming” and found nearly half reported they have been on the receiving end of this discrimination.

Forty-four percent of moms surveyed reported a stranger has been rude to them when breastfeeding in public.

Another four in 10 moms have received dirty looks when they enter a restaurant with their child.

For dads surveyed, 54% said they’ve experienced a stranger being rude to them when they had to change their child’s diaper in public because the restroom did not have a changing table.

Besides these feelings of discrimination, 69% of women feel more empowered today than ever before.

The top feelings of empowerment included finding your passion in life (49%), becoming a parent (48%) and feeling confident in yourself (44%).

Finding empowerment may be as easy as eating healthier and getting some exercise in, as eight in ten women also shared they feel more empowered when they feel healthy.

“Healthy women are empowered women, and the cornerstone to thriving societies,” said Howard Schiffer, Vitamin Angels Founder & President. “Yet, maternal and women’s health remains a global public health problem. In order to help close the gender inequality gap, we must prioritize women’s health.”

Respondents also shared where they receive their empowerment from, and 60% said their mother was their top inspiration.

Seven in 10 women surveyed also shared uplifting fellow women is a top priority for them.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents agreed that women’s empowerment is a critical aspect to achieving gender equality.

“By giving the gift of nutrition to millions of women around the world, we’ve seen first-hand the amazing way in which health empowers women to stand up for what they believe in and reach their full potential as human beings,” said Schiffer. “The generational impact healthy, empowered women have on their children and their communities is astounding–this holds true here in the U.S. and around the globe.”   

TOP 5 INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN

1. Mother                       60%
2. Teacher                     44%
3. Grandmother             28%
4. Aunt                          30%
5. Sister                         28%

TOP 15 MOST EMPOWERING MOMENTS IN LIFE

1. Finding your passion in life                                      47%
2. Becoming a parent                                                  47%
3. Feeling confident in yourself                                    44%
4. Inspiring others                                                        43%
5. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle                                 43%
6. Finding someone you can share your life with        39%
7. Taking care of your mental health                           38%
8. Getting a promotion                                                 36%
9. Learning acceptance and patience                          36%
10. Becoming a grandparent                                         34%
11. Giving back to your community                               33%
12. Experiencing new cultures                                      31%
13. Becoming a godparent/guardian                             30%
14. Traveling to new places                                           30%
15. Becoming an aunt/uncle                                          28%

TOP 10 MOM-SHAMING MOMENTS

1. A stranger was rude to me while I was trying to calm down my child while they were having a tantrum                               51%
2. A stranger was rude when I had to change my child’s diaper in public, because I did not have access to a restroom         49%
3. A stranger made a rude comment to me regarding my child                                                                                                 47%
4. A stranger was rude to me when bottle feeding my child in public                                                                                         44%
5. A stranger was rude to me when breastfeeding in public                                                                                                        44%
6. I received passive-aggressive advice from a relative                                                                                                              44%
7. I received unsolicited advice from a stranger                                                                                                                          44%
8. A stranger gave dirty looks in a restaurant when I brought my child                                                                                       41%
9. I received rude comments regarding how I dress my child                                                                                                     36%
10. I received rude comments regarding what I feed my child                                                                                                      35%