Bias Check
Three non-obvious groups to broaden perspective
Following the toolkit naming conventions, this file is named
exp-01.b-diverge-people-2025-02-19
Bias Check Additions
To counteract convenience bias (only focusing on obvious commuting women in NYC), we deliberately added three non-obvious groups:
- International students on urban campuses
- Quick Profile: Often commute on foot late at night after study groups; culturally less likely to report safety fears.
- Why Added: Visibility is lower; needs may differ due to cultural norms.
- Access: Campus cultural clubs, international student office.
- Quick Profile: Often commute on foot late at night after study groups; culturally less likely to report safety fears.
- Elderly women commuting to part-time jobs
- Quick Profile: Commute early/late on limited incomes; may use bus or subway.
- Why Added: Overlooked due to age; different safety perceptions and physical vulnerabilities.
- Access: Senior centers, church groups, job placement programs.
- Quick Profile: Commute early/late on limited incomes; may use bus or subway.
- Immigrant women working late service shifts
- Quick Profile: Women employed in restaurants, cleaning, or retail who often walk or use transit home after midnight. Language barriers and documentation status can compound vulnerability.
- Why Added: Frequently invisible to mainstream “professional women” framing; experience late-night exposure and systemic neglect.
- Access: Worker advocacy orgs, ESL classes, churches, and immigrant community associations.
Reflection:
These adds diversify our exploration, forcing us to see beyond the default category of “professional young women.” They highlight cultural, generational, and identity-driven differences that mainstream safety products rarely account for.