Thoughts on Women and Power.
Women are simply better suited to homemaking.
That is a line I’ve heard often. I don’t necessarily disagree. Most of the women I know are champion multi-taskers. They have a tremendous capacity for empathy, and are able to project possible outcomes and predict scenarios with dizzying accuracy. This makes the women in my acquaintance particularly suited to caring for babies and young children, because they are capable of washing the laundry and cleaning the kitchen and carrying on a phone conversation WHILE carrying their child. They treat their children with sympathy despite their own needs often going unmet, and they can plan their days well. They project all of the various outcomes that could come from any number of their children’s behaviors, and they modify discipline accordingly.
Yes, they are well suited to homemaking.
Yet, that is not the only use for these talents. It also means that these women could also be tremendous doctors, financial planners, personal assistants, board presidents, or even the President of this country.
That’s right, I said it. A woman’s capacity for imaginative thinking means that a woman would make a tremendous president. I’ve heard the last seven years described as a “failure of imagination”, simply because the consequences of actions were never adequately projected. I’m not saying that men don’t also have this capacity, simply that women are giving endless opportunities to groom their skills. Women learn to plan out a weeks menus and shop accordingly. Women tend to think of things like, “I could buy these pants or three shirts” or, “if I spend this money and my brakes go out…”
Again, not that many men don’t- it’s just I’ve observed this skill in almost every woman I know, and not in every man. Not to mention that women’s propensity towards emotion isn’t necessarily a hindrance in a corporate or political position. While men might ignore the importance of the egos and comforts of their fellows, women often wouldn’t. A President who carefully tends the egos and comforts of her peers would be a boon.
Then there is this concern that women’s tendencies make them naturally more manipulative, or that women who seek careers tend to be bitchy.
To which I respond, “and this is a bad thing?”
I could go on, and on, and on, but my own homemaking calls. I don’t mind the fact that I’m suited for it.
Maybe one day I’ll make a great therapist.
Or politician.
amberfireinus replied:
I so agree with you… Hillary though doesnt count as a woman. She’s a souless power hungry beast.
I believe that a woman could be an amazing President. I think we could use a more thoughtful approach. Someone with the ability to compromise and be diplomatic. Kind of like we women do every day with our spouses and children. What would be the difference with world leaders? Give them cookies and milk, and be soothing and they would be good!
March 3, 2008 at 4:47 pm. Permalink.
shush replied:
Oh, I do NOT like Hillary! I don’t like her policy and I don’t trust her advisors. It has nothing to do with her femaleness, though. It’s the politics.
One of these days the right woman will come along, and she will blow people out of the water.
March 3, 2008 at 4:49 pm. Permalink.
jaklumen replied:
Delicate subject. I think, however, that it is GOOD to point out that differences between men and women simply exist.
Neurologists have pointed out that men’s brains seem to be more specialized, while women’s brains seem to be a bit more globalized. For example, women are observed to recover from strokes more easily, and the reasoning is that neurological structure.
I have read a fair bit on this subject in a plethora of areas and tangents, and I’ll fill the page several times over if I tried to hash it all out. What I will say is that there has been much discussion about women in power, and if they are being allowed to play to their natural strengths (as women, socially, often by gender role, tend to show more affinity for social relationships) or if they are being forced into roles as they have been defined by men (as men are generally seen, by gender role, to be defined by action et al.)
Interestingly enough, while I read about this in the corporate world, I have read a few suggestions proposing the opposite is happening in the Church. This “feminization of the Church” is highly debated (or would be, will be), I’m sure, but I would submit an anecdote of a college professor who taught some friends of mine and I about color assigned to personality types: he said that Blues (who are very relationship-focused) are very attracted to the Church (speaking of our church, but could be generalized to Christianity perhaps more broadly). Having said that, that states that men and women can be of this personality type, BUT as I see that female gender roles do tend to favor such, well…
…there’s a saying amongst our church members, half said in jest, half said seriously– that women are more “spiritual”. I submit that it is more because the atmosphere of our church (at least) DOES tend to favor women a little more in some ways. But whether or not that is specifically true, I think it does a great disservice to the men, especially those serving it up as self-depreciating wit.
March 3, 2008 at 6:08 pm. Permalink.
shellakers replied:
I think the fact that you’ve said that women are better suited for housework may anger some women and maybe even some men. It shouldn’t though. This is just a genreal fact. You’re right to mention that we can juggle so many things at one time. That’s something to be proud of and I’m very proud of it.
March 4, 2008 at 7:41 am. Permalink.
shush replied:
Jaklumen: I wouldn’t consider women to be more spiritual. I think the way in which most churches I’ve seen utilize their congregations are perhaps better suited to women.
That’s interesting about the color types- I’ve heard myself described as a “deep blue”.
shellakers: I find it sad that some women get angry at even the implication that they are suited to homemaking. It’s not like I’m saying “you SHOULD do this!” or “this is ALL you can do!” In fact, I’m saying the opposite! I’m glad you’re proud of your abilities, they serve you well!
March 4, 2008 at 12:41 pm. Permalink.
robpixaday replied:
*waves* First time commenting here -
I don’t know enough about homemaking to know if it’s something that females do better, or not. But I know that women can do many things at once (etc.) - and so can men. I’ve seen over and over again. Yes, I believe there are intrinsic physiological differences, but I also believe that there are variations and similarities in people that transcend or are separate from gender.
Great post…..!
March 4, 2008 at 2:11 pm. Permalink.
Tony replied:
I’d vote for you for sure! But not kuz you’re a woman. I’d vote for you because you embody the best strengths of the American people without succumbing to their usual weaknesses.
March 7, 2008 at 6:26 pm. Permalink.