When I was a junior in high school, I worked as a Page in the Iowa Legislature. My father wanted me to be the first woman President. He believed in the grassroots participation of the Iowa caucuses, the way they were organized in the 50’s and 60’s. His timing wasn’t too bad: Hilary is only a year older than me. But the nasty behaviour I saw in the smoke-filled back rooms in the legislature even then turned me off.
Eventually I became a group process facilitator, bringing together grassroots consensus in communities and organizations. In that way I fulfilled my father’s dream of leading people’s authentic participation in decisions that affected their lives.
But I wonder how many women have decided not to engage in organizations and structures that are filled with the behaviour of those fighting for power and dominance.
Thanks for your personal observations, Jo. I'm sure you witnessed a lot of "boys will be boys" behavior in those smoke-filled back rooms of the legislature! Studies show that women in general tend to work harder for collaboration and consensus than employ strong-arm tactics. No doubt, that is a factor!
Excellent column, Cheryl. Success of both men and women surely, surely does not need to be a zero sum equation. Much has been written about the phenomenon of boys ‘falling back’. I’m not sure anyone fully understands it or has fully explained it. One theory/observation is that because girls develop somewhat faster socially, they have readily moved into positions of leadership before age 18. Look at 4-H clubs, FFA chapters, and class officers in high-school. Yet, white men---largely---still run our country----both politically and financially. This----and the march of the earth around the sun-----is making me old!!!!!
Thanks, Margaret. It seems to be a combination of new doors finally opening to young women, and at the same time the structural changes in the U.S. economy that don't give young men a traditional advantage. Girls do tend to mature socially at a faster rate, and they also often have communication skills that are in greater demand today. Hang in there!
Lots to think about in this one. Thanks.
When I was a junior in high school, I worked as a Page in the Iowa Legislature. My father wanted me to be the first woman President. He believed in the grassroots participation of the Iowa caucuses, the way they were organized in the 50’s and 60’s. His timing wasn’t too bad: Hilary is only a year older than me. But the nasty behaviour I saw in the smoke-filled back rooms in the legislature even then turned me off.
Eventually I became a group process facilitator, bringing together grassroots consensus in communities and organizations. In that way I fulfilled my father’s dream of leading people’s authentic participation in decisions that affected their lives.
But I wonder how many women have decided not to engage in organizations and structures that are filled with the behaviour of those fighting for power and dominance.
Thanks for your personal observations, Jo. I'm sure you witnessed a lot of "boys will be boys" behavior in those smoke-filled back rooms of the legislature! Studies show that women in general tend to work harder for collaboration and consensus than employ strong-arm tactics. No doubt, that is a factor!
Yes. There was a lot of character assassination going on and undermining of each other.
Great column.
Excellent column, Cheryl. Success of both men and women surely, surely does not need to be a zero sum equation. Much has been written about the phenomenon of boys ‘falling back’. I’m not sure anyone fully understands it or has fully explained it. One theory/observation is that because girls develop somewhat faster socially, they have readily moved into positions of leadership before age 18. Look at 4-H clubs, FFA chapters, and class officers in high-school. Yet, white men---largely---still run our country----both politically and financially. This----and the march of the earth around the sun-----is making me old!!!!!
Thanks, Margaret. It seems to be a combination of new doors finally opening to young women, and at the same time the structural changes in the U.S. economy that don't give young men a traditional advantage. Girls do tend to mature socially at a faster rate, and they also often have communication skills that are in greater demand today. Hang in there!