Double Standards Essay

A double standard that young women face in a working environment is that we are seen as incapable of saying “NO” to colleagues. Studies have shown that a women’s primary focus in communication is to establish and maintain relationships with others. So we get into this passive mode, where we avoid conflict by taking on extra work even though we are already swamped with other obligations, as well as going along with whatever is said in a meeting for example. Young women need to address this double standard by looking at how their verbal and non-verbal communication towards others can be improved in workplace. First of all, you should be unapologetic when you have to be firm and establish authority. Most of us females are eager to rise within

You are in a meeting and you get asked whether or not you agree with the statement that has been made. In your head, you disagree and have a valid opposing opinion. Instead you fear that your opinion will be rejected and say ‘yes’ to follow the majority of the group. In doing so, you are undermining yourself by not letting your opinion being heard. Saying yes, just to conform, suppresses your ability to show that you are capable of critical thinking and shows to your co-workers that you will say yes to mostly anything. Agreeing with everything also questions your credibility, as well as a loss of respect and your endorsements will carry no weight. I am well accustomed to conforming out of the fear of rejecting, because in group discussions I usually just say yes and agree to ideas as a way to avoid conflict or creating a negative atmosphere. I end up doing most of the group’s work and at the same time it was an end statement that I didn’t even agree with, which in this situation was that marijuana is bad under all circumstances. I have learned throughout the years that this is not the way to go about. Voicing your opinion in a situation might make it clearer to the rest or bring up snags that weren’t seen previously. Your opinions matter too, but at the same time shouldn’t be forced onto fellow