Nice Girl Or Mean Girl?— Are Those The Choices?
Sex Role Stereotypes Keep Tripping Us Up!
Yesterday I took the Bem Sex Role Inventory Test and I can’t stop thinking about it! (You get to take the quiz in a few minutes.) Dr. Sandra Bem developed it in 1971. It characterizes how feminine or how masculine you are based on gender stereotypes.
How do you think I scored? Feminine? Masculine? Wrong on both counts. I scored Androgynous! Of course, now I’m reviewing my answers looking for what’s so non-feminine. I’m usually kind to people—giving them the benefit of the doubt . . . the first time around. I’m cheerful and independent—more good stuff, I would think. I’m assertive because who wants to get stepped on? I have my own opinions. I’m not shy about stating them. I will go on explaining these opinions as long as others appear interested. Oh, I see the problem: 1970’s women were supposed to ask men their opinions and appear pleasantly agreeable.
More than a few of these sex role stereotypes are still expected of women. And for working women this creates quite a few problems. You can fill your professional duties well by acting along with the masculine stereotypes, but you’ll be hobbled with the Not Nice label wherever you go. Fortunately, many men in their twenties and thirties are sympathetic to this predicament. If they miss a clue, you can point this out and strengthen the new images we’re anxious to see as commonplace in business. As for a man over 50, studies have shown that if he expects the Nice Girl stereotype, don’t waste your energy trying to change his mind. It’s too late, or something about an old dog and new tricks.
Tip: Talk with other women and form a plan of attack (sounds like a 70’s masculine approach) when you hear the words “She’s not nice.” Think of adjectives to more correctly reform the image, such as:
She’s professional,
She’s direct and efficient,
She’s not afraid to make a decision, or
She’d make an excellent Commander in Chief. (couldn’t resist tossing that in)
Further Reading:
Take the test! The Bem Sex Role Inventory Test (a 30-question quiz)
WomensMedia Site: Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office, by Lois Frankel.
_________________________________________________________________
I took the test and I scored 90% masculine. When I asked the other individuals in my office, which is all women, they are not suprised at all. lol I’m the Sales Director for a magazine and must be aggresive and dominant for my job. This is not something I’m ashamed of at all. But I am finding myself more and more trying to bring out the feminine side of my personality. I have found that the masculine side of my personality is perfect for the business world but is a deficite when it comes to the inner office politics. I have definitely been called the “Mean Girl” many times and its definitely something that doesn’t win friends or leadership awards. Why are these traits admirable in men but so frowned upon in women?
Comment by travel9angel — April 18, 2006 @ 9:57 pm
IeriWinner_45…
HI! I’ve have similar topic at my blog! Please check it..
Thanks.
[url=http://www.google.com][/url]
http://www.google.com…
Trackback by IeriWinner_45 — December 10, 2006 @ 4:41 am
We need more good information like this. I don\’t think it even matters what culture you come from. People need to stop expecting women to act in line with stereotypes.
Trackback by KRBailey — October 30, 2007 @ 8:59 pm
When a woman works outside the home, I wish people would let her work just like they let a man work. Instead, we have act sweet and talk softly while begging people to do what needs to be done.
Trackback by Carla Segger — November 1, 2007 @ 6:59 am