Six Things About Being a Woman We Don’t Talk About Enough
Women have a lot to be proud of. We live longer, we’re more likely to survive melanoma, and we write all the best book franchises (Harry Potter, Twilight, 50 Shades of Grey). The list goes on. Yet there are some things about being a woman that we don’t talk about enough.
1. Crying – It’s completely normal for a woman to cry. But many of us are ridiculed for it. It’s also completely normal for a man to cry. And men don’t get the “woman who cries” treatment that women do.
2. Body image issues – Women’s bodies are held to much higher standards than men’s, especially when it comes to the waistline. This can lead to a feeling of inferiority that is not based in reality. This can make it difficult to feel comfortable in one’s own skin.
3. Lack of boundaries – Girls are taught to be “nice” and passive from a young age, which can teach them that they don’t need to stand up for themselves. It can also prevent them from setting healthy boundaries with others in their lives. 4. Discouragement of strength – If a girl is seen as strong or even angry, she may be considered a “bitch” or a “dyke,” again not something that’s in her nature. This discourages girls from being assertive and leads to less success in the workplace for them.
5. Insufficient representation in leadership roles – Women are still underrepresented in leadership positions, and the gap is widening. This is partly due to a cultural perception that female leaders are not as competent or effective as their male counterparts. But it’s also because of barriers in the workplace that are not related to gender. For example, a recent report from the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship found that VCs gave only 2 percent of their funding to female-owned businesses.
6. High-achieving women receive more public opprobrium than high-achieving men. – Women who achieve in traditionally male fields can be praised for their accomplishments, but they can also be criticized for being a woman or for having “male interests.” This is called the double standard. It makes it harder for women to achieve as much as their male counterparts because they are always being measured against those expectations.
7. The ‘affirmative action’ mentality – If you are a successful woman in a traditionally male field, you can be expected to explain why your accomplishments are “because I’m a woman” or because of your XX chromosomes. Marie Curie, for instance, was a great scientist for her work, not just for being a woman.
Women are more than just women’s rights activists or feminists. We’re mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, friends, workers and human beings. We all need to keep fighting for equality and respect, but we also need to be reminded of the good stuff that being a woman can bring. Thanks, Matt Walsh.