“The Easy Major”

An examination of the not-so-hidden misogyny disguised as jokes. 

by Isabella Hobbs

Spending time on a college campus or scrolling through social media can almost guarantee that you will encounter the same running joke: certain college majors are “easy.” 

This joke reflects a cultural bias— a belief that certain fields, specifically humanities-based majors, such as communications, English, hospitality, and teaching, are somehow less impressive. Despite the fact that these majors require the same amount of time, coursework, and workload as any other major, they continue to be on the receiving end of these prejudiced notions, disguised as humor. 

The question I pose is: if all of these majors require rigorous courses, focus, and the development of valuable skills, why do we continue to put down certain fields to uplift others? 

I believe part of the answer lies in the fact that many of these “easy” majors are predominantly female. While conversations about gender inequality in the workplace usually focus on the wage gap, it is extremely important to recognize that gendered perceptions of certain fields begin as early as freshman year of college. Young adults are made to believe that some paths of life are more valuable than others. 

In addition to this, I pose another question: why do majors that transform from being male-dominated to female-dominated become relabeled in people's minds as “easy” or common sense, when they were once impressive? 

The answer is simple: because society continues to shame and degrade anything that women find enjoyment and success in. 

Despite the humanities being a necessity, cultural bias continues to make women feel silly for following their passion, as well as judging men for entering a “feminine” field, such as teaching. In addition to this, it also prevents women from entering STEM fields, making the major feel inaccessible for women. 

This gender divide in majors inevitably leads to gender divides in the workforce, making it more challenging for women specifically to enter certain fields and find success. 

In my opinion, there is no such thing as an inherently “easy” or “hard” major, just as there is no such thing as a feminine or masculine field. These gendered norms are making it extremely difficult for young adults to pursue their passion without fear of judgment, while also reinforcing barriers that can make it more difficult for women to find success after graduation. 

Ultimately, students should be encouraged to pursue majors based on their interests and passions, not on outdated ideas about which fields are more “impressive.”