Music industry players are trying to find out why, according to Teosto’s register, only a fifth of Finnish music creators are women or of the opposite sex.
A glaring contradiction prevails in the Finnish music industry, according to a recent survey.
70 percent of female composers and lyricists and 77 percent of the opposite sex feel that the music industry is unequal. Only a third of men, or 32 percent, share the same perception of inequality in the industry.
In other words, music creators have a completely different perception of equality in the industry. The majority of women perceive the music industry as unequal, while the majority of men perceive it as equal.
The study contains many other interesting chapters, including:
\”Men decide what is good music\”
The survey aimed to find out why, according to Teosto’s customer register, only a fifth of music creators in Finland are women or of the opposite sex. However, more than half of the music students are women:
The research shows that influential factors are at least deep-rooted prejudices and attitudes, as well as belittling and discrimination experienced by women.
Based on the answers, the industry is perceived as male-dominated: men decide what is good music and men act as the gatekeepers of the music industry. The motherfucker culture is perceived as holding back the entry of women and people of the opposite gender into the field.
The female respondents report that they have experienced gender-related discrimination, which manifests itself in, among other things, a lack of appreciation and belittling, favoring men and better salaries for men.
– The works of women and the opposite sex are subconsciously not taken as seriously. I say this as a man myself, says one of the answers.
A significant proportion of men over 35: \”No need for procedures\”
The respondents saw, among other things, bringing role models to the fore, increasing support and encouragement, and increasing hobby opportunities as factors promoting equality.
A good quarter of the female respondents considered gender quotas as one solution.
A significant number of male respondents over 35, on the other hand, are of the opinion that gender is not of great importance in making music and that everyone has the same opportunities in the field. Many of them feel that there is little need for measures to increase equality in the field.
In the open answers of both women and men, changing the old structures, attitudes and practices of the industry were emphasized as corrective measures.
– Together with the partners of the research project, we will immediately start working on concrete measures to make music making in Finland more equal, Aura promises.
An extraordinary amount of feedback
A total of 2,055 people responded to the survey, of which 1,505 work in music. There were also 150 music students and 400 young music enthusiasts.
The study was carried out by Tutkimustoimisto Vastakaiku, according to which the amount of open feedback on the study was completely exceptional.
The research was carried out by eleven players in the music industry, including the Finnish Jazz Association, Suomen Säveltäjät, the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts, Warner Music Finland Oy and Yleisradio.
The project is coordinated by Teosto.