A Multifaceted View on Discrimination in Software Development Careers
Shalini Chakraborty, Sebastian Baltes
TL;DR
This paper reframes discrimination in software development as a multifaceted issue that extends beyond gender and race to include age, political beliefs, disability, caregiving, neurodiversity, and other identity dimensions. Using a mixed-methods analysis of the State of Devs 2025 dataset (8,717 participants with 800 open-ended responses), it maps discrimination patterns and qualitatively identifies themes such as gender bias, racial microaggressions, and DEI-policy tensions. Key findings show age and gender as prominent discrimination axes, with women and non-binary developers reporting higher discrimination and mental health challenges, and neurodiversity treated as a distinct identity rather than simply a disability. The work underscores the need for intersectional research and more nuanced, neurodiversity-aware practices in SE to improve inclusion, well-being, and retention.
Abstract
Conversations around diversity and inclusion in software engineering often focus on gender and racial disparities. However, the State of Devs 2025 survey with 8,717 participants revealed that other forms of discrimination are similarly prevalent but receive considerably less attention. This includes discrimination based on age, political perspective, disabilities, or cognitive differences such as neurodivergence. We conducted a secondary analysis of 800 open-ended survey responses to examine patterns of perceived discrimination, as well as related challenges and negative impacts. Our study covers multiple identity facets, including age, gender, race, and disability. We found that age- and gender-related discrimination was the most frequently reported workplace issue, but discrimination based on political and religious views emerged as further notable concerns. Most of the participants who identified as female cited gender as the primary source of discrimination, often accompanied by intersectional factors such as race, political views, age, or sexual orientation. Discrimination related to caregiving responsibilities was reported by all gender identities. Regarding the negative impacts of workplace issues, many participants described modifying their appearance or behavior in response to gender biases. Gender also appeared to influence broader career challenges, as women and non-binary respondents reported experiencing almost all workplace issues at higher rates, particularly discrimination (35%) and mental health challenges (62%). Our goal is to raise awareness in the research community that discrimination in software development is multifaceted, and to encourage researchers to select and assess relevant facets beyond age and gender when designing software engineering studies.