Gender vs. Leadership

When it comes to assuming a high power position, sometimes your gender gets in the way. The very first example I think of is "President." Such superior position should only be given to superior human beings like men, right? That's not exactly the case. Now both women and men are competing in a fight to reach the top. Before, women were held back without education and freedom. However, now they are given the same opportunity men are.

The fight for political positions between both genders has never been stronger. Women are taking a step above and are striving to reach for high political power. Hillary Clinton is a famous female politician who is now rumored to be in the running for President of the United States. It might seem a bit extravagant for a woman to take role of president; in fact many vote against it. But those who are willing to give change a try, see the good potential that a female president can have on U.S. history. Margaret Thatcher was a well-recognized female politician for becoming the first woman to lead a political party in the U.K. So far, she has been the only female Prime Minister in the United Kingdom. This is a great honor, not only for Thatcher, but also for women around the world.

These two women are great examples of those who violated the gender stereotypes. While it can be quiet controversial for females to occupy a high power role due to their soft-like personality and "weak" leadership skills, women, like men, are also seen as powerful figures.

If men present emotions and hold back on big decisions, they are seen as weak and unfit to be leaders. If women act tough and are attractive, they are not suitable to hold high level positions. If they act like themselves, then they are still not fit for leadership. Either way it goes, gender gets in the way. The important thing is whether you want to run for president of a country or be the leader of your favorite club at school, fight the gender stereotypes.

Assuming Gender Roles

We might be pressured to be the person society makes us out to be, if not everyone will criticize you. Truthfully, you only have one critic to please and that is you. Now we are judged based on what we wear, who we are, what we do, but really, who cares? It is our nature to want to fit in, to fill the mold that has been created by stereotypes. However, have you realized you are only hurting yourself? No longer are people putting up with the set standards. They stepping outside the box and becoming their own person. Everyone has different perception of the way they live their life.

The roles of men and women have been the same for many generations. The woman must take care of the children, clean the household, and make the food that their husbands eat when they get home from work. On the other hand, a man is one who works to supply the family and do the heavy lifting. Although this would happen in a "perfect world," the truth is that we do not live in a perfect world. Rules are meant to be broken. Rules including those that lay out the roles both women and men should do.

Because our society is evolving, we are seeing more interchangeability of jobs and occupations between men and women. Before, women used to stay home while men had the ability to work and get an education. It now seems that the rules are changing, giving women an opportunity to educate themselves and aim for a job where they can lead. We can see a revolution of women and men standing up for their freedom and rights as they establish their gender role. Whether following gender stereotypes or breaking away from them, it is clear that now people have adopted who they are and are happy with themselves.