Originally Posted by
moka
So what I am hearing is that there is more pain than usual from these losses i.e. unprecedented, “walk a few miles with gravel in their shoes and feel some of the shareholder’s pain.” Why is it so painful? I think there is more to it than just the financial loss. I believe it is painful and hurtful because of unconscious biases regarding gender identity and gender roles. Unconscious biases are learned stereotypes that are automatic, unintentional, deeply engrained, universal, and able to influence behaviour. Unconscious bias refers to a bias that we are unaware of and which happens outside of our control. It is a bias that happens automatically and is triggered by our brain making quick judgements and assessments of people and situations, influenced by our background, cultural environment and personal experiences.
Beliefs about strict gender roles can trigger a feeling of insecurity because things are out of control, things are not how they should be. Men should be in control. Men should be the boss. Men were born to rule. This is what it means to be a real man. Many men are uncomfortable with a woman being in control, being the boss. It threatens the whole idea of what it means to be a man. If a woman is strong it means they are weak, that they are victims. This happens when people have a win/lose mindset rather than a win/win equality mindset.