Because She’s a Woman: Glass Ceilings, Female Politicians, and Hate Speech

[NewsTeam]

Both Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin referred to their candidacies as breaking glass ceilings. Must we regard such remarks as male-bashing hate speech? Now that both major parties have fielded major female candidates, this nonpartisan blog can say a few words about common concerns. One is sexism.
There has been talk of sexism by both parties and campaigns. The general thrust seems to be that if you vote against a female candidate, you may be a sexist. Or at least that sexism mainly operates to the detriment of the female politicians.
For the record, I have neither read nor heard any remark by any man saying that either candidate should be opposed because she is a woman.
In contrast, some of the enduring images from the primaries consist of various female voters saying right out on television that they supported Hillary Clinton for president "because she is a woman." (Hence the title of this blog.) I have not yet heard the same about Palin, but that may be because she has just started her time in the spotlight. In any case, such remarks suggest that sexist bias operates in favor of female politicians. In other words, we have explicit statements that people voted for Hillary, but no such evidence they voted against her, based on her gender. Thus, the only thing we know for certain about sexist bias is that she benefited from it.
Supporting a candidate based on his or her gender is sexist, by definition. I don't see any way around that, unless you can concoct some bizarre definition of sexism that only refers to one ***. In other words, voting for Clinton because she is a woman is sexist, just as voting against her because she's a woman is sexist.
To be sure, it is entirely possible that some men (or women, for that matter) voted against Clinton and will vote against Palin because she's a woman and that they merely keep these motivations secret. Still, open statements are one strong form of evidence, and so far, they point to pro-female rather than anti-female bias. If people readily admit to pro-female sexism but conceal anti-female sexism, what does that say about our society and culture?
A relevant question is whether those who supported Hillary "because she is a woman" will vote for Palin for the same reason. Both candidates are women, obviously. So voting for someone "because she is a woman" should cause voters to switch from the Democrat to the Republican ticket. (I suspect the hope to pick up such votes was one strategic reason that McCain chose Palin as his running mate.) If women decline to switch from Democrat to Republican voters, perhaps they weren't as sexist as the media coverage led us to believe.
My focus today is on talk of glass ceilings. Both Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin have spoken of their mission to smash through glass ceilings. How shall we evaluate such rhetoric?
The term "glass ceiling" was originally coined to refer to the lack of women in the top levels of corporate management. The glass ceiling explanation was that there was some objective barrier that prevents women from rising to the top. That barrier was an example of the dastardly workings of patriarchy, which is to say the system that men supposedly have set up to give themselves unfair advantages over women.
I have asked quite a few people what the phrase "glass ceiling" means to them. Some say that it refers explicitly to a conspiracy by men to hold women down. Others say that it may have some broader, vaguer meaning about unknown obstacles that hold women back. They acknowledge that a patriarchal conspiracy is one interpretation, but there might be others.
They were unfortunately rather vague about the other meanings. One person said it might be blocks in women themselves, such as lack of ambition or lack of confidence or simply just complacent laziness. I doubt that this is a common interpretation. When Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin spoke of "shattering the glass ceiling," do you think they meant overcoming their own laziness and complacency? Indeed, if the glass ceiling is understood as referring to factors within women themselves - unlikely, because the glass ceiling metaphor refers to an external obstacle that holds the woman down, not a flaw in herself that prevents her from rising - then alluding to it could be considered sexist bias against women.
Thus, one clear meaning of the glass ceiling is that men are conspiring together against women. This has been one of the themes of feminist rhetoric: Evil men oppress women. In order for women to rise to the top, they not only need to achieve like men do, but they also need to overcome the unfair efforts by men to hold them back.
In that interpretation, to say there is a glass ceiling is to accuse men of doing wicked things: of conspiring against women to keep them down. If men are actually engaged in such a conspiracy, then talking about it is a valid way of protesting injustice and promoting liberty. But if men are not conspiring and oppressing, then talk of glass ceilings is irresponsible accusation. It can even be regarded hate-mongering, in that it inspires negative feelings toward men, and unfairly so. At least, such speech is an attack on men, unless one has clear proof. Candidates (and others) who use the term "glass ceiling" should be required to furnish persuasive proof that men are indeed engaged in such a conspiracy.
Speaking of proof, the absence of women in top management and in other top positions is not itself proof of anything. As several of my colleagues have pointed out, there are multiple ways of understanding the lack of women at the top.
The question this blog asks is whether loose talk of glass ceilings should normally be considered a form of male-bashing or even hate speech. Is there a way we can understand mentions of glass ceilings wthat doesn't entail accusing men, perhaps unfairly, of wicked conspiracies? Should accusers such as Palin and Clinton be asked to provide proof to back up their allegations against men in general? Should men stand up for their own integrity by opposing politicians who make such irresponsible accusations and whose speech may inspire hatred toward men?
Also, it is clear that at least some people (both men and women) do understand the term "glass ceiling" in that hostile conspiracy, anti-male accusing sense. Do the candidates know this when they use the term? In today's American identity politics, the rules are usually that if anyone is offended by your speech, then you are assumed guilty of prejudice until you prove yourself innocent. Even saying that you meant no offense is often not enough, though if combined with a sincere apology and a promise not to repeat, it can sometimes be forgiven. So if female candidates speak of breaking glass ceilings and some people are offended, should the candidates be held responsible, or at least asked to explain themselves?
My own view is that throughout history, men and women have been more partners than enemies. Accusing one gender of evil, hostile actions and conspiracies is divisive. I wish both genders would be nicer to each other.
I am most interested in alternative interpretations. Readers, please say what the term "glass ceiling" means to you. Is there a plausible way to understand how people (including Palin and Clinton) can use the term "glass ceiling" without meaning to attack men or to criticize women? Either way, the term seems to contain sexist bias. Let me know how you understand it.

Now that both major parties have fielded major female candidates, this nonpartisan blog can say a few words about common concerns. One is sexism. There has been talk of sexism by both parties and campaigns. The general thrust seems to be that if you vote against a female candidate, you may be a sexist. Or at least that sexism mainly operates to the detriment of the female politicians.
For the record, I have neither read nor heard any remark by any man saying that either candidate should be opposed because she is a woman.
In contrast, some of the enduring images from the primaries consist of various female voters saying right out on television that they supported Hillary Clinton for president "because she is a woman." (Hence the title of this blog.) I have not yet heard the same about Palin, but that may be because she has just started her time in the spotlight. In any case, such remarks suggest that sexist bias operates in favor of female politicians. In other words, we have explicit statements that people voted for Hillary, but no such evidence they voted against her, based on her gender. Thus, the only thing we know for certain about sexist bias is that she benefited from it.
Supporting a candidate based on his or her gender is sexist, by definition. I don't see any way around that, unless you can concoct some bizarre definition of sexism that only refers to one ***. In other words, voting for Clinton because she is a woman is sexist, just as voting against her because she's a woman is sexist.
To be sure, it is entirely possible that some men (or women, for that matter) voted against Clinton and will vote against Palin because she's a woman and that they merely keep these motivations secret. Still, open statements are one strong form of evidence, and so far, they point to pro-female rather than anti-female bias. If people readily admit to pro-female sexism but conceal anti-female sexism, what does that say about our society and culture?
A relevant question is whether those who supported Hillary "because she is a woman" will vote for Palin for the same reason. Both candidates are women, obviously. So voting for someone "because she is a woman" should cause voters to switch from the Democrat to the Republican ticket. (I suspect the hope to pick up such votes was one strategic reason that McCain chose Palin as his running mate.) If women decline to switch from Democrat to Republican voters, perhaps they weren't as sexist as the media coverage led us to believe.
My focus today is on talk of glass ceilings. Both Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin have spoken of their mission to smash through glass ceilings. How shall we evaluate such rhetoric?
The term "glass ceiling" was originally coined to refer to the lack of women in the top levels of corporate management. The glass ceiling explanation was that there was some objective barrier that prevents women from rising to the top. That barrier was an example of the dastardly workings of patriarchy, which is to say the system that men supposedly have set up to give themselves unfair advantages over women.
I have asked quite a few people what the phrase "glass ceiling" means to them. Some say that it refers explicitly to a conspiracy by men to hold women down. Others say that it may have some broader, vaguer meaning about unknown obstacles that hold women back. They acknowledge that a patriarchal conspiracy is one interpretation, but there might be others.
They were unfortunately rather vague about the other meanings. One person said it might be blocks in women themselves, such as lack of ambition or lack of confidence or simply just complacent laziness. I doubt that this is a common interpretation. When Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin spoke of "shattering the glass ceiling," do you think they meant overcoming their own laziness and complacency? Indeed, if the glass ceiling is understood as referring to factors within women themselves - unlikely, because the glass ceiling metaphor refers to an external obstacle that holds the woman down, not a flaw in herself that prevents her from rising - then alluding to it could be considered sexist bias against women.
Thus, one clear meaning of the glass ceiling is that men are conspiring together against women. This has been one of the themes of feminist rhetoric: Evil men oppress women. In order for women to rise to the top, they not only need to achieve like men do, but they also need to overcome the unfair efforts by men to hold them back.
In that interpretation, to say there is a glass ceiling is to accuse men of doing wicked things: of conspiring against women to keep them down. If men are actually engaged in such a conspiracy, then talking about it is a valid way of protesting injustice and promoting liberty. But if men are not conspiring and oppressing, then talk of glass ceilings is irresponsible accusation. It can even be regarded hate-mongering, in that it inspires negative feelings toward men, and unfairly so. At least, such speech is an attack on men, unless one has clear proof. Candidates (and others) who use the term "glass ceiling" should be required to furnish persuasive proof that men are indeed engaged in such a conspiracy.
Speaking of proof, the absence of women in top management and in other top positions is not itself proof of anything. As several of my colleagues have pointed out, there are multiple ways of understanding the lack of women at the top.
The question this blog asks is whether loose talk of glass ceilings should normally be considered a form of male-bashing or even hate speech. Is there a way we can understand mentions of glass ceilings wthat doesn't entail accusing men, perhaps unfairly, of wicked conspiracies? Should accusers such as Palin and Clinton be asked to provide proof to back up their allegations against men in general? Should men stand up for their own integrity by opposing politicians who make such irresponsible accusations and whose speech may inspire hatred toward men?
Also, it is clear that at least some people (both men and women) do understand the term "glass ceiling" in that hostile conspiracy, anti-male accusing sense. Do the candidates know this when they use the term? In today's American identity politics, the rules are usually that if anyone is offended by your speech, then you are assumed guilty of prejudice until you prove yourself innocent. Even saying that you meant no offense is often not enough, though if combined with a sincere apology and a promise not to repeat, it can sometimes be forgiven. So if female candidates speak of breaking glass ceilings and some people are offended, should the candidates be held responsible, or at least asked to explain themselves?
My own view is that throughout history, men and women have been more partners than enemies. Accusing one gender of evil, hostile actions and conspiracies is divisive. I wish both genders would be nicer to each other.
I am most interested in alternative interpretations. Readers, please say what the term "glass ceiling" means to you. Is there a plausible way to understand how people (including Palin and Clinton) can use the term "glass ceiling" without meaning to attack men or to criticize women? Either way, the term seems to contain sexist bias. Let me know how you understand it.


More...

[Louie]

NewsTeam author:

For the record, I have neither read nor heard any remark by any man saying that either candidate should be opposed because she is a woman.

Really? Interesting to hear your opinion on what goes down in the US, female politicians, glass ceilings and all...my thoughts are more along....

You call it it tomarto...I call it tomata.....

Plenty of glass ceilings everywhere mate, even here down under

WMC Exclusive:Goodbye To All That No.2* by Robin Morgan - February 2, 2008

Another interesting perception of "women" (in this case Hillary Clinton), in politics.

Women in Congress - Breaking the Political Glass Ceiling

(Some brief quotes and stories from women who have been involved in US congress).

A handy reference book, written by Dennis Simon, (associate professor of political science and the Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. His work has appeared in the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, and Politics & Gender. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University)....and: Barbara Palmer, (is an assistant professor at American University in Washington, D.C., and affiliated faculty at the Women and Politics Institute. Her work has appeared in The American Political Science Review, Political Research Quarterly, and Politics & Gender. She received her Ph.D. in political science from the University of Minnesota.)

Well, well worth the read.

Ask Geraldine Ferraro, been there...

A Political Opportunity for Women - washingtonpost.com

Some thoughts closer to my home:

WIP: issues and events.

WIP: Rationale and Objectives

...and just for fun:

She couldn't break the glass ceiling, but 'it's got about 18 million cracks'

....and for the record, I do not consider men evil..nor do I consider all men to be sexist, or women for that matter. I feel we have come a long way, but just to refresh your memory, don't forget the statistics for women and children are not good, kinda playing catch up football from the start if you know what I mean? But then again violence and murder kinda makes my skin crawl a little and I get a bit emotional about it:

Typical woman I guess.

Violence Against Women: Frightening Statistics « Channeling Energy



Women in Congress - Breaking the Political Glass Ceiling

[GOD]

NewsTeam author:

Really? Interesting to hear your opinion on what goes down in the US, female politicians, glass ceilings and all...my thoughts are more along....

You call it it tomarto...I call it tomata.....

Plenty of glass ceilings everywhere mate, even here down under

WMC Exclusive:Goodbye To All That No.2* by Robin Morgan - February 2, 2008

Another interesting perception of "women" (in this case Hillary Clinton), in politics.

Women in Congress - Breaking the Political Glass Ceiling

(Some brief quotes and stories from women who have been involved in US congress).

A handy reference book, written by Dennis Simon, (associate professor of political science and the Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. His work has appeared in the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, and Politics & Gender. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University)....and: Barbara Palmer, (is an assistant professor at American University in Washington, D.C., and affiliated faculty at the Women and Politics Institute. Her work has appeared in The American Political Science Review, Political Research Quarterly, and Politics & Gender. She received her Ph.D. in political science from the University of Minnesota.)

Well, well worth the read.

Ask Geraldine Ferraro, been there...

A Political Opportunity for Women - washingtonpost.com

Some thoughts closer to my home:

WIP: issues and events.

WIP: Rationale and Objectives

...and just for fun:

She couldn't break the glass ceiling, but 'it's got about 18 million cracks'

....and for the record, I do not consider men evil..nor do I consider all men to be sexist, or women for that matter. I feel we have come a long way, but just to refresh your memory, don't forget the statistics for women and children are not good, kinda playing catch up football from the start if you know what I mean? But then again violence and murder kinda makes my skin crawl a little and I get a bit emotional about it:

Typical woman I guess.

Violence Against Women: Frightening Statistics « Channeling Energy



Women in Congress - Breaking the Political Glass Ceiling

One thing though, do a survey of women you know in the workforce and ask them whether they prefer women or men bosses, and ask why.

[Louie]

God:

One thing though, do a survey of women you know in the workforce and ask them whether they prefer women or men bosses, and ask why.

Absolutely, I hear what you are saying, and, you know as well as I do, we are dealing with the culture/perception of civilisation/people, over many many years........

"Of male respondents, 41 percent said men are more likely to be good leaders, and 33 percent of women agreed. And three out of four women who expressed a preference said they would rather work for a man than a woman.

The survey, conducted early this year, found a bonanza of stereotypes among those polled, with many using the optional comment section to label women "moody," "bitchy," "gossipy" and "emotional." The most popular term for woman, used 347 times, was "catty."

There are still few women in the corner office today, and the numbers appear to be declining. Our survey sheds light on one obstacle blocking women from the boardroom: negative attitudes about women leaders — attitudes women themselves still harbor.
“One cannot live in a sexist society without absorbing some of those messages, which make women feel worse about themselves and suspicious of other women," said Janet Lever, a professor of sociology at California State University in Los Angeles, who helped conceive the survey. "The enemy is omnipresent cultural messages, not women themselves."

There are long-established attributes that are assigned to men and women, says Madeline E. Heilman, an expert on workplace *** bias and professor of psychology at New York University. Women take care of others and nurture, while men are seen as taking charge and being assertive. The problem is, she says, when we map these attributes onto the workplace the male attributes are much more sought after.

“I call this the lack of fit,” she explains, because the perceived attributes of women don’t fit the leadership mold. “When women succeed in areas they’re not supposed to they are disapproved of greatly, by everyone, men and women.”

Indeed, our survey found that about 33 percent of men and women would rather work for a man, while about 13 percent would prefer working for a woman. (The remaining 54 percent had no preference.)
And when asked who would be more likely to lead effectively, males were preferred by more than a 2-1 margin by both men and women — even though women got high marks for being problem solvers and providing more supportive work environments.

Will men and women ever see beyond these ingrained beliefs and accept women as conductors on the career express? It’s all about preconceived notions of the leader image, says Claire Babrowski, the former CEO of RadioShack. When people close their eyes and visualize the top dogs sitting around the corporate table, she explains, “We picture men in leadership roles. As a woman you already have this hurdle to overcome.”

as per:


Survy: Men Vs Women Bosses

You know that I could quite easily raise my family to discriminate/denigrate cats...if I'm lucky enough to hang around a few generations, I can possibly have quite an influence on my children, my children's children, and their offspring...on how they perceive cats.

...and you know I don't need to be out weilding an axe over the cat's head to be effective in getting my message through. Subtle......

Times that by 5 billion, mix it through every country/culture through the world...imagine being a cat!

[Louie]

Someone might find these of interest too:

Single Minded Women - women's career - Male Bosses vs. Female Bosses

Excerpt:

"The key is to approach your female boss as an individual and not get bogged down by stereotypes, experts say. One human resources manager put it this way: “Deal with her as a boss—the way you'd deal with any boss. Make an attempt to have a good working relationship with her. No one's perfect. Some men are great bosses, while others stink. It's the same with women.”

As more women move up the corporate ranks and employees get used to having women bosses, these stereotypes and preferences should even out, experts say, so that both male and female supervisors can be judged by their competence and not through gender-biased lenses. Growing pains are a part of progress—and the workplace is no different."

....and this is a beaut:

Who Make Better Bosses -- Women or Men? | Reproductive Justice and Gender | AlterNet

Excerpt:

"The Pew Research Center's latest survey on gender and leadership reveals that the public thinks women have more desirable leadership traits than men. The survey asked its respondents -- 2,250 adults -- to rate women and men on eight characteristics considered important in leadership. Women smashed men in five of the categories -- honesty, intelligence, compassion, outgoing personality, creativity -- and tied men in two: hard work and ambition. The only category in which men showed an edge was decisiveness.

Respondents also ranked women higher in job performance skills including working out compromises, keeping government honest, representing constituents' interests and standing up for their beliefs. The public also said women are better at dealing with social issues but not as good at dealing with crime/public safety or national security/defense.

Interestingly, the survey showed that even though respondents clearly favored women over men on the majority of leadership traits, when asked who make better leaders, 69 percent called it a draw. Twenty-one percent said men make better leaders; only 6 percent said women do."



and........."Why the paradox in public perception? How can three categories -- "decisive" and good on crime and defense -- overshadow the long list of traits that women lead in, often by overwhelming margins.

"[W]omen emerge from this survey a bit like a sports team that racks up better statistics but still loses the game," write the report's authors."