What "International Women's Day" means to me

Speaking as a father of two grown-up daughters, both of whom are now actively building exciting careers, this topic hits close to home. 

We all know that we reap what we sow. As we continue to place more value on how women look and are perceived rather than as equal contributors to our world, we make the problem worse and more protracted. At this point, it’s no longer something that just men are responsible for. This responsibility also includes the women caught up in this false reality that has been created and accepted by our culture. 

How do we quantify this inequality within the sexist culture that exists today?  

I could go on to list some of the worst statistics, such as 5% of CEO’s of the Fortune 500 are female, but we have all seen and heard these many times over...they don’t seem to matter. 

“Women are just 5 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs—down from a record high of 6 percent in 2017. Women are only 7 percent of top executives in the Fortune 100 companies. Women occupy only 10 percent of top management positions in S&P 1500 companies. Nov 20, 2018”

It’s complicated to be sure, but in the end, it comes to one thing and that is “Testosterone”.

Not just “power” as you might have thought, but rather, it is sex that has driven and continues to shape our culture.  

However, some things have changed. 

The days of “Men”, needing to protect and fend for their families as the sole provider are gone. The days of men needing to be the strongest, biggest, and loudest person in the room are also gone, (mostly).

The days of women having to be treated like objects rather than equal members of society are also gone. Women have proven in every field and in every walk of life that they are just as capable as men. Further, when it comes to attributes such as empathy and compassion, women generally surpass most men by a wide margin.

So why are we still in this backward psychological state?

You don’t need to look much further than pictures on any social platform where you will see young and even mature ladies provocatively presenting themselves in order to gain attention. Most often I don’t think they even realize they are doing it. It’s just such a normal part of our culture. However, you don’t see many men doing this?! 

Surprisingly, even on LinkedIn a professional networking platform, you don’t have to look very long or hard to find young ladies in very revealing clothing or even bikini’s (on LinkedIn!). Why?

It’s simple

Because we men want it this way, that’s why. These women are simply responding to and adapting to the environment we have all created. They have been brainwashed into thinking that their self-worth is based upon being accepted by men.

We men enjoy seeing these revealing images and we enjoy being treated as superior, that’s the reality that very few want to admit. If it makes you feel better you can blame society, but it does not change this simple truth.

I do wonder though, in a future culture where equality truly does reign, how will we men adapt to the new reality. My guess is that we will all adapt easily and quickly.

So, what to do about it today? Well to say that we can all stop tomorrow is equally as ridiculous as denying the problem and its root cause. This is a big part of our culture today, but it won’t be long before we will look back at this time with the same horror we view cultures who prevent young girls from going to school today.

Women have earned their right to be equally represented at every level whether at the head of a board room or anywhere else in society. It’s we men that need to recognize this in order to accept that the value of women is based on their amazing contributions rather than what they may be wearing.

If we look at what we men have done in the political world, which has sunk to schoolyard levels in almost every industrialized country. We can see where women might make a difference. Happily, this is an area that is improving although it can’t happen fast enough.

I truly believe our culture is past due and ready for this logical next step. I look forward to seeing my daughters and yours at the head of any table they aspire to.

We need to help our daughters realize they are more than pretty pictures, images or sexual objects. The sooner we change our perspective the faster our culture changes with it. Further, we need to look in the mirror and realize this stops with each of us individually as we are just as much to blame as the entertainment industry or the culture we have created.

I hope it does not take all of us older males dying off before the true value of women in our societies is represented equally.

If you would like to add your thoughts to this conversation, consider contributing to our initiative:  

Sunday 8th March 2020 is International Women’s Day 

This year the theme is #EachforEqual 

Here at Social Sales HQ & DLA Ignite “We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women's achievements. 

Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world. Let's all be #EachforEqual.” 

To celebrate this Social Sales HQ & DLA Ignite, are going to publish an article based upon your input.

The question we are asking you to answer is 

What words or phrases introduced into our vocabulary in recent times have resonated with you most and why? 

The deadline for this is the 24th of February 2020 

Please send your contributions to [email protected] or [email protected] with a head-shot, even better if you can send us a photo and links to your social feeds.

Even better if you put your arms out front and STRIKE THE #EachforEqual POSE to motivate others and to make International Women's Day YOUR day. 

Thank you for thinking about this overdue issue! Your daughters will thank you! (so will your sons!)

For more on International Women’s Day go here;

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme 

For more on Social Sales HQ go to socialsaleshq.com 

For more on DLA Ignite go here dlaignite.com