The concrete ceiling. Why women are up against it.
Someone once observed that a glass ceiling blocks women's rise to the top. But it seems more like a concrete ceiling.
The following could be what's stopping us:
- Because boys are taken more seriously than girls at school.
- Because some female high achievers, such as Margaret Thatcher, often
don't promote other women.
- Because women have babies.
- Because men think women won't be as committed to their job once they have a child.
- Because «women get all moody and useless once a month».
- Because a woman is still judged on her looks.
- Because women think men won't love them any more if they're successful.
- Because women are busy doing housework when they could be training impressing the boss and networking.
- Because «women's brains are smaller».
- Because working mothers are made to feel guilty.
- Because women are told to start out as secretaries. And good secretaries rarely get promoted.
- Because not enough women have the courage or confidence to speak outabout inequality.
- Because women say sorry, sorry, sorry all the time.
- Because women are either too tough or not tough enough.
- Because men fear and distrust powerful women.
- Because no one ever thinks of calling the father when a child is ill.
-Because a lot of men genuinely think of themselves as superior to women.
- Because some men just don't listen to what women are saying.
- Just because.
Notes:
to be up against it - to face problems
glass ceiling - an invisible barrier which stops you going up
committed - dedicated; hardworking
high achievers - very successful people
moody - changeable (happy, sad, calm, angry, etc.)
looks - appearance (e.g. pretty, ugly).
networking - meeting other people in your business, making
useful contacts
promoted - given a better /higher job in a company
tough - negative: aggressive; positive: strong.