Women in Power

[cdtaylornats]

Every so often the mantra is trotted out that the world would be better with women in charge.

We now face the situation where that might happen. In Scotland all 3 major parties have women leaders, in Westminster the Conservatives and probably Labour could have women as leaders.

Do you think it will be better? Will the behaviour at questions improve?

[treaclesoda]

I don't think it would make a huge difference. These aren't the sort of women who will be all meek the way we are 'trained' to be and say things like 'if I could just make a small point here' and 'I'm sorry, but I just have to say that I think you are wrong on that' . And rightly so, they would be pretty useless leaders if they were like that.

The women who make it to the top in politics have to overcome a lot of dislike from men to get there, so they are pretty tough, and will presumably act accordingly.

[noblegiraffe]

There is research to show that a company in crisis is more likely to put a woman/minority in charge than one that's doing well - e.g. Marissa Meyer of Yahoo. Maybe they think they have nothing to lose, or maybe men don't want a tough gig.

Anyway, I think this glut of women leaders means the country is in the shit rather than anything positive for feminism.

[treaclesoda]

I had never heard that noble. Do you think it is a sinister 'we're going down anyway, so we might as well choose someone who will be unpopular with the shareholders to pin it on' , or a 'we've never thought of this before, but what if we choose a totally different type of leader and see how they do?'

The cynic in me thinks more likely the former...

[powershowerforanhour]

I think women are viewed differently and will be for the forseeable future. See: Ken Clarke's "difficult woman" comment during his cosy chat with Malcolm Rifkind. Even though he thinks TM is the best candidate, the language is patronising. Obstinate children are described as "difficult". I find it hard to imagine this adjective used to describe an adult male. I'm willing to bet that "Headmistressy" will also get used about TM and await the first report of a "handbagging" when she disagrees with one of her male subordinates.

[MangoMoon]

I think it has the possibility to be great tbh.

To get to the point they're at, these women have had to be brilliant - they have had to be better than & prove themselves continually to be better than, their male colleagues.

We could end up as you said, with all female British leaders, as well as Hillary Clinton & of course Angela Merkel is very high profile too.

Very aspirational for young girls growing up to see all those powerful females I think.

[TheDrsDocMartens]

I'd like to see them move the parties away from the booing and jeering in debates.

[TimeforaNNChange]

mango I agree - women leaders are consistently higher performing than men in the same role, as they have had to overcome significant additional barriers to get to the top.

The women in politics movement has gathered momentum over the last 12 months, both nationally and locally - and the current leadership contests are evidence that there are women who are operating at the highest level.