Survey: Most Americans Prefer Male Bosses

 According to a recent Gallup survey, if they had a choice, more Americans would prefer a male boss over a female boss. Gallup’s annual Work and Education survey of more than 2,000 adults revealed that if given a choice in leadership, Americans would choose a male over a female 35 percent to 23 percent. The study also showed that four in 10 would have no preference when it came to their boss’ sex.

When Gallup first asked the question in 1953, it said 66 percent of Americans preferred a male boss, while only a mere 5 percent preferred working for a woman.

Other survey findings included:

• Among working Americans, 54 percent reported currently working for a man, while 30 percent currently work for a woman. And those who currently work for a female boss are more likely to prefer having a female boss over a male boss and vice versa.

• Both men and women prefer a male boss. Although more than half of men say the gender of their boss makes no difference, those who do have a preference favor a male boss by an 11-point margin. Women express higher preferences for each gender although they choose a male boss over a female by a 13-point margin.

• Americans between the ages of 35 and 54 are the least likely to prefer a male boss.

• Political beliefs can also affect one’s attitude toward the sex of his/her boss as Democrats broke even in their preferences, while independents and Republicans preferred a male boss.

• Americans of all education levels prefer a male boss, by margins ranging from seven to 14 percentage points.