Utah State University study finds sexist comments are normalized in Utah

LOGAN, Utah — A study from the Utah Women & Leadership Project at Utah State University shows that sexist comments are prevalent, and even normalized in the state.

The study finds that sexist remarks and comments happen in places that impact women. The top three are the workplace, followed by around home and family, and at church.

Susan Madsen, director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project, says researchers gathered over 800 responses from over 1,000 people.

“We have still in the state of Utah more what I call invisible masculine culture,” she said. “And so the language is a certain way, especially in the tech industry, and manufacturing.”

Madsen said the problem is still wide-spread, and that it can add obstacles to women trying to advance in the workplace. “The more that we are aware, the more we are educated; and I am talking about women and men,” she said.

She says while a clear solution is difficult, each of us can make progress in becoming more aware. “To take us to the next level, in terms of our companies and our organizations, and our communities and our congregations, we really need to be respectful of everyone,” she said.

In making others aware of those behaviors, and paying closer attention to them ourselves, Madsen believes changes can come over time.

“We want to lift women, but we want to lift men too. It’s not either or, right?”