Bossy or a boss? Strategic or calculated? The gendered language used to describe both men and women in the same fields of business is still apparent in the modern-day workplace. Many female celebrities – Emma Watson and Taylor Swift, to name a few – have spoken out against unfair prejudices which have impacted their working careers. We must ask why double standards exist in the working environment and what effects they can have on women. What can we do to move away from these archaic ideas?
A study carried out by the Harvard Business Review, revealed that managers tend to use more positive words in performance reviews describing male employees compared to more negative terms used for their female counterparts. This study revealed that the most frequently used negative term to describe men was “arrogant” whereas women were described as “inept”. These two terms have very different implications and reflect gendered stereotypes that need confronting. The report then went on to analyse the most used positive terms for each gender: “analytical” for men and “compassionate” for women. It argued that the word “analytical” implies that the employee is logical and task-oriented whereas if someone is compassionate, they are often seen as caring and sensitive – a trait often associated with personal relationships as opposed to being a favourable attribute in business.
Warner Bros. movie of the year, Barbie, successfully explores the double standards inherent to womanhood, striving to inspire young girls. Greta Gerwig’s box-office hit challenges patriarchal stereotypes by advocating that “because Barbie can be anything, women can be anything”. At the start of the movie, we see “Barbieland” and all the roles women occupy within it, ranging from the politicians to doctors and mothers. The positive presentation of women in these roles aims to inspire young women to strive for whatever career they want, without letting society dictate their choices. Despite this message, it is important to note that this equality is not achieved without difficulty, and America Ferrara’s inspirational speech highlights how societal norms can still impact women and hinder their opportunities. Ferrara’s character, Gloria, expresses her frustration with being a woman in an emotionally demanding scene. She observes that women “have to be a boss, but […] can’t be mean… [and they] have to be a career woman but also always be looking out for other people”. This powerful monologue provides the poignant climax of the movie, placing these thought-provoking insights at the forefront of the audience’s mind, encouraging them to question these unattainable double standards beyond the world of the film. Gerwig told The Atlantic that during Ferrara’s “beautiful speech” she was “sobbing, and then [she] looked around, and [she] realised everybody [was] crying on the set.”. The importance of this scene is undeniable and its topic remains pertinent.
But how can we go about removing these double standards from the workplace? Many female celebrities have chosen to speak up against such inequalities and gendered stereotypes within their fields via mediums set to reach the masses. Alongside providing women with a space to speak out against these inequalities, everyone can play a role in the fight against sexism. So, if you hear these biases yourself, remember to be an unapologetic boss and speak out where you can!