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Greetings!
When was the last time you were stereotyped? Whether we are aware of it or not, we all make judgments at some point. It is oh so easy to do. This issue can be very toxic, especially in the work place. I hope you find the information interesting and enlightening.
Last month I announced that I added a "y" to the spelling of my first name. Now this change is reflected in my website address http://jayne-sanders.com and email jayne@jayne-sanders.com. Please change your records accordingly, I don't want to lose touch! Thank you.
Warm Regards,
Jayne Sanders
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Subtle Judgments
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We All Make Them
...by Jayne Sanders
A recent Social and Demographic Trends survey conducted by Pew Research Center revealed that nearly 70 percent of respondents believe that women and men make equally good leaders. That's progress!
But - if this high percentage thinks the sexes are equally qualified, why haven't more women made it to the highest rungs of corporate and political leadership?
Survey participants cited gender discrimination, resistance to change and a self-serving "old boys club" as reasons for the low number of women in top jobs. Some respondents also said that women's family responsibilities and their shortage of experience hold them back from the upper ranks of politics and business.
Many psychologists who have studied gender attitudes would not be surprised by Pew's findings.
Research at the University of Chicago and Harvard University indicates (that) gender biases residing in the deepest recesses of our minds can be even more difficult to overcome than racial bias. These biases can be much more subtle and ingrained, causing people to be unaware of why they feel a woman is not right for a corporate president, CEO position, or even U.S. President.
People often stereotype women as warm and nurturing and friendly, and these qualities don't jive with the picture we have of tough and strong leaders. It's difficult for many people to perceive women as both nice and competent. If she is friendly and nice, she isn't seen as intelligent and strong. If she is viewed as competent and strong, then she's a bitch. Ouch. A no-win situation, for women and for the companies and countries they could be leading successfully.
Where do you stand on this issue? What are your subtle biases? We all have them, and as I explain in the article linked below, stereotypes alone, in of themselves, are not the problem. It's the assumptions and false judgments we make from the stereotypes that cause the trouble.
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GenderSmart Tips |
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Remember Feeling Stereotyped?
When was the last time you felt stereotyped? For me it was last week. I am letting the color in my hair grow out, resulting in a nice salt-n-pepper silvery look. I like it, surprisingly. However, the brown is not even fully grown out yet and I have already noticed a little age discrimination...just a couple times. I also felt stereotyped a few years ago during the election season when I read that John McCain hoped to capture more women voters by selecting Sarah Palin as his running mate. I was offended, to a minor degree, by his assumption that I might vote for Palin just because I am a woman. I vote on issues and qualifications. That said, all qualifications equal, I would probably vote for the woman. But everything else would definitely have to be equal, at least in my opinion.
I also still get the stereotype about shopping - that I enjoy it because I am female. Actually this one doesn't bother me too much, life is too important to worry about such small stuff. But the truth is, I rarely shop! I just don't have the time and there are many other activities I would rather engage in during my spare time, including riding my horse.
I encourage you to think twice the next time you automatically and almost unconsciously make assumptions about someone. Awareness is your friend! Notice when a judgment pops into your mind because of someone's gender, race, appearance, or opinions - without even knowing that person! By becoming more aware of our own stereotyping, we can stop it, open our minds, and find beauty and talent in people we otherwise overlook.
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Quotes Of The Day |
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"Assumptions allow the best of life to pass you by" ... John Sales
"The horse through all its trials has preserved the sweetness of paradise in its blood." ... Johannes Jensen, 1944 Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature
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You are welcome to reprint any part of this newsletter as long as you include "By Jayne Sanders, GenderSmart® Solutions, 618-204-5540, www.jayne-sanders.com."
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