Comments on: Falling into Stereotypes

By: Dana Garlick

Dana Garlick — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:01:58 +0000

Over 40 years ago, while a nursing student, I attended a state convention where one of my classmates, a man, had been elected a state officer. While each of the officers made presentations, I heard comments about hairstyles, the dress “she” was wearing, etc. No one listened. Then Mark got up to speak. You could hear a pin drop. Why do we do this to ourselves? And Why does it continue?

By: Gloria

Gloria — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:59:29 +0000

I am guilty. I am subjected to lots of ESPN. Although sportscasters in general really get on my nerves, the female commentators really irk me. I have two daughters and a son and while I try not to verbalize my comments around them, my husband hears it constantly. He does call me on it. Self-awareness is indeed the first step.

By: Christianne Corbett

Christianne Corbett — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:27:38 +0000

What a great blog.

It takes a lot of self-awareness and introspection to even recognize what’s behind our behavior in cases like this and then it takes a lot of courage to admit that we are influenced by stereotypes.

The same thing has happened to me when I call for technical support and a woman answers my call. Despite the fact that I’m a feminist (and formerly worked in a technical field!), I’ve found myself feeling impatient and thinking “She won’t be able to help me. I wish she would just put the guy on the phone who can answer my question.”

The reality is, of course, that probably the woman tech supporter and the woman sportscaster are more skilled than their male counterparts because they’ve persisted in these male-dominated fields despite lots of obstacles – including stereotypes saying that they can’t do their jobs.