Why Do We Stereotype Women in Leadership Positions?

While the problem of stereotyping people in leadership positions affects both men and women in these roles, the social and environmental factors that lead to the stereotyping of women leaders are vastly different from those of men.

History

The stereotyping of women can be traced through history, with roots being in religious traditions and diverse cultural histories. Many ancient texts, from the Bible to the Koran, contain references to women being obedient or submissive to men.These texts lay out rules about what women can and can not do, how they are to speak, stand and even what they were to wear. Even today, in Muslim cultures women must cover themselves from head to toe, including their faces in extremely strict societies. In many Christian denominations a woman may still not become a pastor or a teacher in her church. In very primitive cultures (such as the Nomadic tribes of Africa) there is commonly a social group which places men at the "head" as hunters and gatherers, with the women far beneath them on the social ladder.

Considerations

Religious, cultural and environmental factors all contribute, in some way, to the stereotyping of women in leadership roles. Examples of people who may perpetuate stereotyping include: individuals whose religion has influenced their thinking towards the role of women in society; individuals who have a cultural background in which women are perceived as the "lesser sex," as well as those whose culture prohibits women from engaging in public speaking, or from holding a leadership position and individuals whose family and social environments have reinforced stereotypical male and female roles and identities.

Misconceptions

Stereotyping toward women leaders is not always negative. Those who believe that women leaders will bring peace during times of war, care more about children's issues, be more compassionate toward the poor and needy are also perpetuating stereotypes about women in leadership roles.

Effects

The effects of stereotyping women in leadership roles can include: a lack of women willing to face the challenges and problems associated with being stereotyped, thus limiting the number of women who will be able to fill these roles; a lack of women in leadership roles results in a lack of true governmental representation for at least half of the population and a stigma absorbed by young girls and women about who they are and where they "belong" in society.

Prevention/Solution

Because stereotyping toward women has such deeply embedded religious, cultural and environmental roots, it is not a problem that can be eliminated overnight. As more and more women enter into the political arena, however, society's exposure to women who do not fit into traditional stereotyped roles and identities will also increase. As women continue to move forward, challenging predefined beliefs about their role, society will be forced to reevaluate ideas about women in leadership roles.