The Impossible Double Standards of Being a Woman
Rita Moreno acknowledged America Ferrera's monologue in Barbie at the Academy Awards. One of the highlights of Greta Gerwig's Barbie is when Gloria (America Ferrera) delivers a monologue on the impossible double standards of being a woman.
Gloria's full monologue from Barbie (2023):
It is literally impossible to be a woman.
You are so beautiful and so smart,
and it kills me that you don't think you're good enough.
Like, we have to always be extraordinary,
but somehow we're always doing it wrong.
You have to be thin, but not too thin.
And you can never say you want to be thin.
You have to say you want to be healthy,
but also you have to be thin.
You have to have money,
but you can't ask for money
because that's crass.
You have to be a boss,
but you can't be mean.
You have to lead,
but you can't squash other people's ideas.
You're supposed to love being a mother,
but don't talk about your kids all the damn time.
You have to be a career woman
but also always be looking out for other people.
You have to answer for men's bad behavior,
which is insane, but if you point that out,
you're accused of complaining.
You're supposed to stay pretty for men,
but not so pretty that you tempt them too much
or that you threaten other women
because you're supposed to be a part of the sisterhood.
But always stand out and always be grateful.
But never forget that the system is rigged.
So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful.
You have to never get old,
never be rude,
never show off,
never be selfish,
never fall down,
never fail,
never show fear,
never get out of line.
It's too hard!
It's too contradictory and
nobody gives you a medal
or says thank you!
And it turns out in fact that
not only are you doing everything wrong,
but also everything is your fault.
I'm just so tired of watching myself
and every single other woman
tie herself into knots
so that people will like us.
And if all of that is also true for a doll
just representing women,
then I don't even know.
-----
It's poignant. It's powerful. Its to-the-point.
It says it all. I don't have any commentary to add.
I will add a little corporate touch to the conversation.
Imagine the kind of dichotomy women face at workplace.
And as they rise to Leadership roles, it becomes even more complex.
#CoachHemant #LeadershipDevelopment #LifeAndCareerTransformation #GrowthMindset
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