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March is Women’s History Month—a month dedicated to spotlighting the ongoing fight for gender equality and the well-being of women. And with women’s issues at the forefront of U.S. politics, a new survey might surprise everyone. New data reveals that a third of women (34%) reported no pressing gender equality issues in their lives as stress levels continue to rise among women in the U.S. A Censuswide survey of over 2,000 adults (21+), commissioned by Northerner.com, found that in 2025 only a small minority of women pointed to gender equity in sports as an urgent concern for them. These findings highlight that women have other, more important matters when it comes to day-to-day life.
While the news cycle amplifies ongoing debate about gender issues on both sides of the spectrum, the survey points to a more nuanced reality with a generational divide in women’s priorities. Younger women (21-24 years) were the most concerned about reproductive rights and access to care (48%), while older women (55+) were the most likely to report no pressing gender-related matters (45%).
Gender Equity in Sports: This Political Minefield Is Not a Concern for Women
Headlines abound about this polarizing issue in U.S. politics, but less than 9% of female respondents felt gender equity in sports was a pressing concern in their lives. Perhaps this means the culture wars aren’t trickling down into everyday lives. Or perhaps, as the survey responses suggest, safety from violence and harassment, mental health support, reproductive rights and access to care, representation in leadership and politics, maternal health and well-being, and access to affordable childcare all rank higher when it comes to the real world. Among the women who did recognize disparities, 26% said equal pay and workplace equity are their top concerns, which is validated by research on the topic. Women are paid 84 cents for every dollar a man makes, a gender wage gap that spans all professions, even those typically held by women, according to a report released by IWPR last year. Their analysis also found that women earned less than men for full-time work in all 20 of the largest occupations for women and all of the 20 largest occupations for men.
“Women have long navigated demanding environments and societal pressures–a combination that brings forth unique behavioral patterns,” said Dr. Marina Murphy, Senior Director of Scientific Affairs at Northerner.com. “Research shows that women are good at seeking out social support and leaning on close connections during stressful times. However, it is not surprising that stresses and strains can also make it hard to resist bad habits like smoking. This natural human response to stress makes it even more important that there be viable alternatives, like nicotine pouches, that can provide nicotine without the need to inhale deadly toxic cigarette smoke.”
The data on pressing concerns for women could be a sign of progress, or it could simply mean that the gender equality movement (along with everything else in the US) is undergoing some shifts. Either way, women across all states and socio-economic and racial backgrounds have a range of different experiences and priorities. And since it’s Women’s History Month, let’s pay attention to what real women report as opposed to the mainstream narrative.
