Longtime readers know the parameters of the BINJE big-event surveys: It’s a random selection of people who answer non-tested questions the best way they can.
It’s a simple snapshot of an event — taken with questions that have not been vetted by experts.
In other words, it’s far from scientific. But it’s usually intriguing.
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With that, our questions and answers:
1. What is the biggest issue facing women in business
– Wage gap;
– Glass ceiling or limited opportunity;
– Work-life balance.
Work-life balance was the overwhelming winner, taking 72% of the responds. What work-life balance meant to each individual was more dynamic.
Some said it meant being expected to care for children. Others noted how women now seemingly take the lead on caring for aging parents.
The biggest answer: Women still are expected to do more in the household then men.
One answer combined all three: “Issues around work-life balance can often limit opportunity — and sometimes force women to leave the workforce or not take a higher role … and that leads to the wage gap.”
2. If elected, Mikie Sherrill will be the second woman to hold the office of governor in the state (Christine Todd Whitman was the first). Is that distinction still a big deal — one that is worth noting?
– Yes: 40%;
– No: 60%.
The No’s have it. But it certainly wasn’t by a convincing fashion. The universal response was that voters should pick the best candidate — regardless of gender. And if that candidate happens to be a woman, so be it.
Others said it’s still significant — and that the significance reaches many levels.
“It would still be a big deal because so few women are CEOs,” one person said. “This would be an example that it’s OK for a woman to be in the top spot.”
Another mentioned “the top spot.”
“Until we have a female president, we must keep pointing out that there are female governors,” they said.
3. If Mikie Sherrill is elected governor, would you expect her to be more likely to support “women’s issues” such as equal pay or access to health care?
– Yes: 20%;
– No: 80%.
The comment we heard the most was this: “I would never expect her to be — but I certainly hope she would be.”
Many said all politicians — female or male — simply follow the feeling of their electorate.
“Politicians follow their party, not their gender,” said another.
