Gender stereotypes should be demolished. It is a bane of existence for the oppressed sex who has yet to receive the justice it deserves – women. From the feeble mindset of societal misogyny to the constant sexualization which shoves them to be mere objects, women are more often than so to be perceived as the second gender that holds no importance but to ‘serve men, bear children, belong in the kitchen, stay at home’ and more derogatory conceptions. Unfortunately, these stereotypes have turned into a norm to the point where even some women themselves have their internal misogyny lies within their perspective.
Yes, there are indeed particular women in the world who hold a highly regarded reputation and positions in the working world. However, these privileges does not mean they can escape the double standard that has been found to be actively toxic among the community. Surprisingly, a number of people have their prejudicial belief to be deep-seated that they do not put their trust on women to lead effectively. To this day, higher-ranking women such as Jacinda Ardern and Maia Sandu, both who are president of New Zealand and Moldova respectively, have to endure sexist comments everyday, be it from men or women alike.
Some gender biases includes:
Misconception In Attitude
Many believed women are too delicate to lead. This is due to the fact that the stereotype regarding women consists of the gender being agentic and their voices being ‘small’ and unheard of, thus being seen as weak in leadership. What came along is that these are the characteristics that have traditionally been linked with males and leaders, and concepts of leadership have been intertwined with conceptions of masculinity. It is a common belief that should be eradicated to provide a chance for women to be a leader, not only with a competent role, but also compassion.
Difference In Positional Roles
In schools, boys are more likely to acquire a class president to lead the entire class whereas girls with vice class president roles have to lend an extra hand. The same concept applies to work hood such as in political positions, until the rise of female leaders changes everything for the better. These positional roles need to change and it can start from childhood.
Here are the reasons women can lead as better as men can be:
Command May Be An Act Of Power, But Compassion Has Truer Power
Throughout history, women are told they are too kind and compassionate to be leaders, but the notion that someone who is not kind and caring can lead well is contrary to reality. The idea to be ruthless and aggressive to toughen up is so outdated that it just does not fit the current condition of the society anymore, where everything is overwhelming and some found life to be too insensitive. Leaders in the twenty-first century must build an emotional connection with their followers, which is probably the only reason to expect leaders to avoid automation. It is crucial to provide recognition, approval, and empathy to keep the work going smoothly and efficiently. A happy follower can be motivated with simple praise.
They Can Understand Their Own Limitations
We live in a world that emphasizes self-belief, but self-awareness is far more vital. And there is frequently a tension between the two which competes for one’s motivations, whether it is better to be conscious of your limitations (flaws and weaknesses) or have self faith in what you do. With the incompatibility between self-belief and self-consciousness, being completely devoid of self-doubt and insecurities is the result of delusion. Although women are not as insecure as they are depicted in self-help literature (and much of the popular media), studies reveal that they are generally less overconfident than men. This is, however, positive news as it allows them to comprehend how others perceive them and allows them to identify gaps between where they want to be and where they currently are. For instance, they can understand their comprehension in using map radius tool by identifying their strengths and weaknesses using the equipment and learning from it, rather than being over optimistic as if knowing how it works after a single glance.
They Learn How To Keep It Lowkey
We do not need another pompous, presumptuous leader to gravitate to. Surprise, surprise, these kinds of existing leaders are not even females (generally, of course). In humility, there are well-established gender disparities that favor women. If leaders were chosen based on their humility, there would be more female leaders than male leaders. Humility is primarily a feminine quality. Without humility, it will be difficult for anyone in control to admit their mistakes, learn from experience, consider other people’s points of view, and be willing to adapt and improve.