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In society, gender-based expectations weave a complex pattern that affects the lives of boys and girls from a young age.

It's a tale of two equally harmful disciplines: girls weighed down by restrictions and boys burdened by demands. This dynamic extends into adulthood, where these traditional gender roles continue to shape careers and opportunities.

In this article, we'll explore how these gendered expectations manifest in the career ladder, and why it's crucial to dismantle these stereotypes for the benefit of all.

Girls: Weighed down by restrictions

Limited career aspirations:

For many girls, the career ladder appears steep and elusive due to lingering gender stereotypes. They are often discouraged from pursuing ambitious career paths, particularly in male-dominated industries, and might find their ambitions curtailed from an early age.

Glass ceiling:

Even when women manage to climb the ladder, they often hit a glass ceiling that hinders their progress to top leadership positions. The restrictions on their career growth persist despite their skills and qualifications.

Work-life balance challenges:

Girls frequently grapple with the expectation that they should prioritize family over career. This imbalance can lead to difficulties in managing both professional and personal life, limiting their overall success.

Gender pay gap:

The world's persistent gender pay gap further restricts women's financial empowerment and exacerbates gender-based restrictions, affecting their ability to progress in their careers. My mentor, ?? Gabriella Parente explains this in detail on her LinkedIn course. Do check!

Boys: Burdened by demands

Workaholic expectations:

Boys are frequently burdened by the expectation to be workaholics, constantly chasing career success at the expense of their well-being. They may face pressure to work long hours and exhibit unwavering dedication to their jobs.

Emotional restraint:

Work culture often demands emotional restraint from men, discouraging them from openly expressing vulnerability or seeking help for mental health issues. This can have severe consequences on their emotional well-being.

Relentless competition:

The world fosters a culture of relentless competition, which can be particularly taxing on men. The constant demand to outperform peers can lead to stress, burnout, and mental health challenges.

Inflexible roles:

Men can feel trapped in traditional roles that expect them to be sole breadwinners, limiting their ability to explore unconventional career paths or embrace work-life balance.

The future is, yet, bankable

Breaking free from harmful disciplines necessitates a multi-pronged approach. First and foremost, promoting gender equality is paramount; companies must vigorously eliminate biases in recruitment, promotion, and compensation, creating a level playing field for all employees.

Encouraging a healthy work-life balance is equally vital, with the implementation of policies supporting flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and wellness programs benefiting everyone.

Fostering emotional intelligence within corporate culture is crucial, enabling open dialogue about mental health and providing a supportive environment for both men and women to address their emotional well-being.

Lastly, diversifying leadership teams is essential; organizations should actively dismantle barriers for women and champion a broader representation of gender identities at the highest echelons of management, ensuring that talent, not gender stereotypes, propels career advancement.

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