A man says, “Change everything and start over again.”
“Oh, what vision he has — what strength.”
A woman says, “ Change everything and start over again.”
“What a b----.”
A scenario that has not only been portrayed in the daily operations of practically every field, even female-dominated fields, but one that has sunk into the mindset of many. Media and pop-culture have portrayed the over-worked, under-socialized boss-zilla in movies, music and news. The habit of first noticing the blemishes on a woman’s face instead of the carefully crafted and mountain-moving phrases firing from the mouth that will later be judged as “too-big” and “snake-like” has become formulaic for high-platform commenters.
Women in the workplace are judged on the least relevant elements of their appearance and character rather than the skills and aspirations that’ll make them successful in the years to come – if given the chance, of course.
Speaking of chances, a report in 2008, classified as “The Athena Factor,” stated that women in the workforce are less likely to receive second chances and are judged harsher than their male counterparts. This explains why women can expect that they won’t be promoted at the same rate as a man, despite equal education and skill level.
Once in a higher position, women are ripped apart beginning with their willingness to wear pumps to whether they prefer pantsuits or dresses.
While men are able to walk firmly on their platform of privilege and strength, strong women are seen as unkind, aggressive, unfeminine and even “downright awful,” said New York University psychologist Madeline Heilman.
Hence, the repeated use of the term, “b----.”
Competency and strength for women have been reduced to unnecessary cruelty and conniving personality traits. Those that refer to their female superiors as b------ because they are unhappy with decisions made are not the only guilty parties.
The mentality itself spawns from women stepping over other women in search of the sliver of success left by men for the female population.
In the article, “Why Women (Sometimes) Don’t Help Other Women,” Marianne Cooper said with more sexism there is more conflict.
Although the Queen Bee Theory states that women can’t, under any circumstances, get along.
It’s outlined humorously in the film “Mean Girls” and the television series “Pretty Little Liars.”
This theory, although pretty thoroughly debunked, has a few key characteristics noted that show up in generations that were more subjected to sexist ideals.
As a female Shinto priest in Tokyo, Japan, Tomeo Ichino fell into the shame of being a woman in a “man’s role.” She said members of the community looked at her and wished she was her grandfather, pushing her to wear a green robe for a more masculine appearance. When a woman feels she is a part of sexist stereotypes she is more likely to distance herself from other women, setting up what can be referred to as a pseudo-masculine bunker.
Or in other terms, she distances herself from the stereotypes that have made sexism an issue for her.
She becomes the strong woman she always knew she was, but with the price of another’s dreams under her.
Simply stated, men aren’t the only reason why women are set back in the workforce.
Sexism, internal and external, plays a strong role in making women feel incompetent or cruel for their strong leadership. “Much more can be done by the women themselves to solve such problems [gender inequality],” a woman interviewed by The Atlantic for International Women’s Day 2017 said.
The B---- Mentality has seeped through the top layer of cascading sexism, through the thick male boundaries, into the minds of women fighting for the jobs they deserve.
Whether they choose to perform silently, without confidence or crush all that lies in their path, the mentality itself is to blame and can only be reversed with a consensus among all women.
Strength shouldn’t be viewed as a hindrance to others. Power through spoken word and compelling leadership shouldn’t be feared when coming from a woman. Women shouldn’t be pitted against each other because of ingrained sexist tensions.
Women shouldn’t be seen as the enemy or be subjected to the B---- Mentality for exhibiting the same qualities of the world’s strongest men.
The views expressed in columns do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Auburn Plainsman.
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