TO UNDERSTAND gender bias, consider this real-life example.

A busy mother of two - let's call her Heidi - had a career that required her to travel, meaning that she could not meet her child's then-teacher in person. When asked if she could speak over the phone instead, the teacher dismissed the request, saying that Heidi should be more invested in the child by being physically present.

The next meeting date was near. Heidi asked this time if the father - say, Howard - who was travelling, could ring the teacher instead. This time, the teacher readily agreed, and rang the number given by Howard.