Currently, women represent only 35% of the technology workforce and occupy merely 11% of executive positions. The tech industry has often been criticized for its gender disparity, but Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes that there is a lack of “masculine energy” in the workplace, which he argues corporations need to reclaim.

Zuckerberg expressed his views during an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast on January 10, saying, “I think a lot of the corporate world is pretty culturally neutered. It’s commendable to promote kindness and create an inclusive work environment, but dismissing masculinity as negative is another matter.”

He went on to assert that fostering a culture that encourages aggression can yield positive outcomes.

While Zuckerberg defends the idea of celebrating masculinity, experts in gender studies and economics caution that such sentiments might marginalize women and underrepresented groups, as they tend to reinforce outdated stereotypes and traditional gender roles.

Juliet A. Williams, a gender studies professor at UCLA, describes the term “neutered” as a gendered dog whistle that perpetuates patriarchy and anti-LGBTQ+ ideologies.

Zuckerberg’s remarks align with anti-DEI sentiments

Zuckerberg’s comments echo a growing resistance to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Experts warn that these rollbacks can create a “silencing effect” on women in workplace environments, said Susan L. Averett, an economics professor at Lafayette College.

She explained, “Women and men often communicate differently. A shift toward a more traditionally masculine workplace culture can easily push women’s voices to the sidelines.”

As a result, such environments may become unfriendly to women, prompting them to leave male-dominated fields such as economics and STEM.

Criticism of policies, like providing tampons in men’s restrooms, implies that some leaders perceive inclusivity efforts as threats to a specific concept of masculinity, according to Justin Frake, an assistant professor of strategy at the University of Michigan.

Marginalizing women’s perspectives can negatively impact gender equity within the workplace.

In Meta’s 2022 diversity report, the company boasted about its strides in gender equity, noting that between 2019 and 2022, they doubled the number of women in their global workforce.

“It’s terribly disappointing to see (Zuckerberg) now suggesting that we have a ‘neutered culture’ instead of an inclusive one,” says Williams. “We are witnessing a regression in civil rights laws and anti-discrimination protections that took centuries to establish, all happening within a matter of months.”

Why is Zuckerberg addressing this issue now?

The so-called “Trump bro” has become a significant figure in the 2024 electoral landscape. On election day, 49% of Gen Z men voted for Trump, an increase from the 41% in 2020 among men aged 18 to 29.

During his campaign, Trump made appearances on platforms such as the Nelk Boys’ “Full Send Podcast,” the comedy show “This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von,” and “The Joe Rogan Experience.” He also discussed wrestling on “Six Feet Under with Mark Calaway” and streamed live with gaming influencer Adin Ross.

Trump’s engagements with these media figures conveyed a distinct message, as noted by Alex Bruesewitz, a 27-year-old adviser to the Trump campaign: that “it’s alright to be a guy.”

Zuckerberg might be trying to connect with president-elect Donald Trump and this rise of “bro culture,” according to Williams. However, she argues that this move reduces decades of feminist and LGBTQ+ advocacy to a mere culture clash.

“Zuckerberg’s promotion of a return to masculine energy is nothing but a blatant attempt to curry favor with a figure he perceives as more powerful (Trump),” she states. “If this push for masculine energy means bending the knee to the new dominant figure, it sheds light on what masculinity truly represents.”

What could this shift mean for women and companies?

Zuckerberg’s comments may reassure traditionally masculine men at work while sidelining any employee who doesn’t fit a rigid definition of masculinity, leading to lower morale and impeded collaboration, according to Frake.

“Organizations that double down on ‘masculine’ culture risk descending into ‘bro culture,’” he warns. “This type of culture has been associated with reduced retention rates for women and gender-nonconforming employees.”

“Over time, hiring and retention might lean toward those who conform to ‘masculine’ stereotypes, consequently decreasing the representation of women and marginalized groups in the talent pool,” he states. “In the end, this could lead to the very situation Zuckerberg claims he seeks: a more ‘masculine’ atmosphere at Meta.”

Contributing: Charles Trepany