Even with modern times, women still don’t have an easy time achieving leadership roles. I have every faith that a woman can be just as good of a leader as a man can be. If someone has what it takes to be a leader, it does not matter what sex they are. However, I do agree that woman have to “man up” in order to gain the role. It is not good for anyone who is emotional to be in such a major position of power. In order to be elected into a position of leadership women and men need to be stable and able to put their motions aside. Women are seen as the emotional sex and therefore have a harder time breaking the mold of the male leaders in the world and its history. Hilary Clinton, for example, has made herself appear both strong and stable, rarely showing her emotions. She has made a name for herself despite the fact that her husband has already made a name for their family. However, recently she broke down and cried for the public. To some this shows a sign of weakness, and other as a genuine sign of a real human and not a robot. I would have to agree with those that said it is a sign of weakness. Getting emotional in such a high position worries the country and is not a good thing at all. I understand that she is human and will break at some points, and I’m sure even male leaders do too, but it should not be shown. Leaders are supposed to be strong for those of us who aren’t or at least appear to be. In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth show her strength when her husband can’t be. She takes the daggers back to the scene of the crime because Macbeth can’t. She puts aside her emotions in order to get the job done. Again I have every faith that woman have the ability to be just as great as men. In order to achieve this greatness, however, I think they need to be able to swallow back those tear and put on a strong face for their followers. Women get put down a considerable amount for our gender and what history has made us look like. We are supposed to be the weak, emotional women that take care of the kids and clean the house. In order for any one of us to gain a position of leadership, we have to be that much stronger, strong enough to break the barriers and take the criticism of our race on top of the criticism for our political views or beliefs. I believe women can do it and will do it.
Really interesting response to the writing prompt. While I agree that leaders are often rightly counseled to remain stoic in emotional trying times, there are exceptions to this rule. Leaders who cry can be considered more human and less "politician-ey." This is where the double standard comes into play, however. When John Boehner cried this past December he was given a hard time by the media, but it seemed to work in his advantage. When Hilary Clinton cried during her campaign, it seemed disastrous for her chances at ever becoming the president. Nice job.
ReplyDelete