Ways women can hold their own in a Male Work World

August 28, 2009 in Gender, Workin' Girl by Rebecca | 2 comments

Okay, its 2008, we are in a bad recession, jobs are tight…if men are having a hard time keeping jobs how can women in such a world??

My lead in is meant to be provocative as the story in the Wall Street Journal is almost archaic and the comments to the story seem spot on.  So let’s have at it; coffee still warm for this afternoon’s ready? Good!

The article entitled, “Ways Women Can Hold Their Own in a Male World” seems like reasonable advice on the surface.  The author lists seven helpful tactics a woman should consider to hold her own in the job world, they are:

  • Make sure the firm you work for actually values women (sadly some firms really are misogynistic; I currently work for one)
  • Identify Alpha and Beta males (presumably the Alpha males are always pounding the desk so it’s easier to figure them out)
  • Find a Mentor (sounds like good advice for any employee)
  • Speak Assertively (elminate “I’m Sorry” is one nugget, others on how to speak are also listed)
  • Socialize with the boys (be ready to do alot of whisky shots presumably but don’t skip shaving your legs)
  • Don’t assume stereotypical roles (guess I won’t bring in my homemade cookies!)

The article is interseting and has some nuggets but I would save some coffee for the juicy comments and they are JUICY!   Among the caustic retorts and truly sound advice from women commenters?

  • “I can’t believe this article had to be written in 2008.”
  • “Dominating the position through a colorful use of vocabulary is the best way to get ahead.”
  • “Good grief….. how about just do a good job and make a difference. Works every time.”

Well worth the entertainment value and yes, some nuggets to use too, so save some coffee and go have a read.  You may reach this article at the WSJ at this link here.

  1. Nikki’s avatar

    Nikki on August 29, 2009 at 12:46 am

    Hieeeeeeee:
    Funny … your bosses are not Misogynistic they are Mouslem …
    Love ~~~ Nikki

  2. Rebecca’s avatar

    Rebecca on August 29, 2009 at 4:23 pm

    Hey Nikki,

    Well, we both know you weren’t referring to all Muslims. And, interestingly, they are not Muslim they follow some other Babylonian religion. But then again, one can be of any faith (or not be of any faith) and be a hater of women.

    The University of GA Islamic Studies department has some interesting links on this topic of women in Islam, our happy coffee swillers can view them at http://www.uga.edu/islam/ and click on Muslim Women or just go right to their Women in Islam studies page here.

    Amina Wadud, an Islamic Studies Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, wrote a fascinating article on Islamist Feminism and how its forming up in an article entitled, “A’ishah’s legacy” that is worth a read. To some extent, what is happening in Islamist Feminism is a move toward a unique voice that does not replicate the West’s view or culture.

    Happy Reading :)

    ~*Becki*~