The Reality of Second Generation Sexism in the Working World

I'm glad to see someone finally discussing second-generation gender bias in the context of all the recent equal pay discussions. Why in so many different professions do women start out in equal numbers to men at entry level, but when you get to the top you see they have almost all dropped off the path to advancement? According to this article, it's because the path to advancement "is often interrupted for a simple reason: when women display leadership behaviors we consider normative in men, we see them as unfeminine. When women act more feminine, we don’t see them as leaders." This is the classic double bind that is the heart of second generation sexism. Either way, we lose. It is sexism reinforcing itself. Circular reasoning.

Studies also show women do not receive the same desirable or lucrative projects or assignments that would allow for advancement within a company. And women don't have the same opportunities for mentorship by leaders at the top. These vicious cycles are simply the reality of sexism reinforcing itself, again and again.

Ambitious Women Face More Obstacles Than Just Work-Life Balance - Harvard Business Review

Miss Kansas Kicks Ass!

WOW, check out Miss Kansas this year in the Miss America Pageant! Normally, I don't go for things like beauty pageants, and arguably they are inherently sexist. Period. (Are there male beauty pageants? No, not really in the same way, although there are of course male body building competitions. Mr. Universe, anyone?) But this year's Miss Kansas might just turn beauty on its head and stir up a few controversies along the way. This bombshell is a sergeant in the Army, an expert in archery, a boxer, a motorcycle racer, a skydiver, heavily and openly tattooed, in recovery (note the large serenity prayer tattoo on her right rib cage), a Chemistry and Chinese double major, an advocate for young girls, AND an aspiring dentist (note: NOT hygienist).

In this Huff Post article, Theresa Vail discusses how she was inspired by her experiences with being bullied as a child. She says, "It got so bad that I nearly took my own life. . . . My dad took me hunting with him and it saved my life. Ever since then, I've been an outdoors girl. My passion is empowering girls through male-dominated outdoor sports."

Still, she IS stereotypically bleach blonde and super skinny/petite, and she still has that Army-Barbie-with-all-archery-accessories-included air about her. Perhaps I will actually tune in this year and see if there is some substance behind this message. It would be awesome if she could inspire young girls to be badasses, like Katniss Everdine, but a real life shero!

Theresa Vail, Miss America Contestant, Is a Badass You Should Know About - Huffington Post

Burping and Ball-Scratching My Way to Gender Equality

Here is a VERY interesting bit about the gender dynamics of body language. This seems like a given when you think about it, but it becomes more interesting as you CONTINUE to think about it, peeling back the layers of sexism in each assumption, stereotype, and movement of your body. In essence, the movements and postures we typically identify as "feminine" are really just submissive. Conversely, "masculine" body language is really just domineering and/or empowering. However, that does NOT mean the TRULY feminine IS submissive or that the TRULY masculine IS dominant. Although female and submission are not actually synonymous, nor are male and domination, we have nonetheless conflated these two distinct realities in our bodyminds and body memories by literally acting out gender inequality each time we take a step. WOW. Trippy.

Researchers realized this when they discovered that MEN who are ordinarily "masculine" in their movements become more "feminine" when interacting with bosses or other authority figures. Of course, they are still men with the same levels of testosterone et al, but as they act out their feelings of submissiveness or inferiority in a given situation, they associate those feelings with typically "feminine" body language. Studies also revealed that the bigger your car is, the more likely you are to drive in a typically "masculine" or domineering fashion. Well, everyone who's been cut off by a giant SUV (a.k.a. everyone) already knows that.

Gender and the Body Language of Power - Sociological Images

Gender and the Body Language of Power - Jezebel

Now we can see why some men become defensive or indignant when women defy these norms by not crossing their legs, not being "ladylike," etc. Who cares, right? Well, it's because it's about more than that. They take it personally because it strikes at the very heart of their perceived superiority over half of the human population.

So, in sum, gender equality really does start one fart, burp, and curse word at a time. I've always been a firm believer in that. It's about time everyone else caught up!! :-p Take it from someone who is truly Feminine. :-)

8-Year-Old Girl in Yemen Raped and Murdered in the Name of "Marriage"

I try to keep it positive here on Lady Justice Law Blog, BUT this story is definitely an exception. In fact, it's so NOT positive that it made me sick to my stomach. Still, it's worth raising awareness. What is it REALLY going to take to put a stop to child rape and murder which is done, sanctioned, and perpetuated all in the name of culture and tradition? I'm all for culture and tradition, but some things are just WRONG no matter who or where you are. YUCK.

Bride Aged 8 Dies After Suffering Internal Sexual Injuries During Wedding Night With Man, 40 - Huffington Post UK

Ever Feel Like Putting a Giant Sticker on the Back of your Truck that Makes it Look Like You are Kidnapping a Woman?? Me too!! (NOT.)

Here's a fun one. Imagine the marketing and creative meetings going on at this company: "Hey, I got an idea! Let's make a tailgate decal of a woman tied up and kidnapped in the back of a truck so everyone who drives a truck can feel like they are kidnapping a woman, and everyone driving behind them will also think they are kidnapping a woman. People love kidnapping women! And it's SOO funny, too!" Do you think the vote in that meeting was unanimous, or . . . ? Oopsies, guess some people didn't think it was that funny.

Company in Texas Fails Hard with Tailgate Decal of Bound Woman - Jezebel

New Program, "Increasing Women's Political Participation and Dialogue Opportunities in Afghanistan," Aims to Increase Female Voter Turnout and Encourage Women to Run for Office in Afghanistan

The Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Asia Foundation are sponsoring this promising new political program for women in Afghanistan, and the UK is funding it. This is fantastic news, but will it actually work? I hope so.

Asia Foundation and Independent Election Commission (IEC) Launch “Increasing Women’s Political Participation and Dialogue Opportunities in Afghanistan” - The Asia Foundation

Multi-Million Dollar Program Announced to Support Afghan Women's Political Participation - Feminist Majority Foundation

Multi-Million Dollar Program Announced to Support Afghan Women's Political Participation - Ms. Magazine

Surprisingly though, about 39% of the voters in the 2010 Afghan Parliamentary election were women, and women already hold 28% of the Parliamentary seats! These stats are better than America's! To wit: Women hold about 18% of Congressional seats and 20% of Senate seats in the U.S.

Facts on Women in Congress - Rutgers University

(Takeaway: Don't believe the hype.?)

University of Maryland at College Park Implements New Sexual Violence Intervention and Prevention Program

Here is some good news about sexual assault prevention from the University of Maryland-College Park. UMD is launching a new sexual assault prevention program on campus. The program will educate incoming freshmen about sexual assault awareness and bystander intervention techniques. Although this is only a pilot program to be tested on some students, the University will soon vote on whether to expand the program to all students.

Perhaps the best thing about this program is that one single individual sexual assault survivor was responsible for getting this program in place, which just goes to show you that one person really can have a voice AND make a difference. Hats off to UMD and to that one brave survivor! I hope other campuses will follow UMD's fine example.

Sexual Assault Prevention Pilot Course Implemented for Fall - The Diamondback

UMD Set to Launch Sexual Assault Prevention Program - Feminist Majority Foundation

UMD Set to Launch Sexual Assault Prevention Program - Ms. Magazine