𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘: “If I Was a Man, then I’d be the Man: The Way a Woman Leads” by Thea Faye Mari Beracis

Published by: Annika Howie Quizana

Date Published: November 13, 2024

Time Published: 11:15 AM

“I’m so sick of running as fast as I can. Wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man,” A line that is derived from the lyrics of Taylor Swift’s ‘The Man’. The song garnered attention from all over the internet as the song contains a message that many women can relate to. As many women still struggle with their own fights against gender stereotypes.

As most people know, it’s the 21st century already and it’s not like the old times. Women are allowed to do what they want and are not bound by gender restrictions anymore. Women can study, vote, fight for their rights, and even file for candidacy. The contrast between the past and the current times is very different. Women’s rights are more employed, a well-deserved result of their prolonged fight to protect their privilege to equality.

But even with this, the discrimination is still shown. The bigotry is still there. The unfair perception is even more exhibited whenever the topic is women in leadership. But despite society's degradation of women's ability, how do women still cope with these? How do women lead, knowing that many eyes will be watching to criticize every single small mistake that will be made?

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗦

“They paint me out to be bad, so it’s okay if I’m mad.” These words depicted how women are unfairly misunderstood to be irrational and reckless, making it justifiable to do whatever bad actions they do— That it’s fine because women are naturally like that. This unjust misinterpretation is always present in women’s lives. Likewise, the words in the lyrics portrayed how women leaders felt in the years of their tenure.

Women are emotional, they said. Women are indecisive, they continued. Women are illogical, so they claimed. These statements were just the tip of the iceberg that women heard in their daily lives. Because for them, women cannot lead. Women can never stand on their own without the help of others.

“If a man does something, it’s strategic. A woman does the same thing, it’s calculated.” Taylor Swift, the singer of ‘The Man’ stated when asked about the vocabulary of gender stereotypes between men and women. Stereotypically, men are described as ambitious, dominant, forceful, independent, self-sufficient, self-confident, and prone to act as a leader. While women are defined as caring, sensitive, affectionate, less competent and definitely on the weaker side. [1] They claim to know that’s why people prefer a man to lead them rather than a woman.

But what they don’t know is that women are stronger than what they think. That women are strong enough to endure all the discriminative words thrown at them. That women are certainly tough enough because they fought hard to experience the rights that the women before did not have the privilege to access to.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣

“I’d be a fearless leader, I’d be an alpha type,” will probably be what women swore to themselves every time they take a leader position, may it be in a classroom level of leadership or the government type of authority.

In contrast to the stereotypes of women in leadership, women have proven themselves over the course of many years. They already strived to show women empowerment even in the fields that are said to be male-dominant, like politics.

Former Vice President Leni Robredo, despite not winning the last election, still showed her tireless service to the public even without a position in the government. Recently, Robredo’s Angat Buhay received 4.9 million worth of donations that aided 13,329 families that were affected by the severe tropical storm ‘Kristine’. [2] Even before, when she was in the Office of the Vice President, she’s always been transparent and active about her projects that helped people across the country.

Senator Risa Hontiveros who won the last 2022 elections has been one of the senators that’s been very proactive during many important senatorial hearings over the past months. She’s also been working on many bills this year including re-filing the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Bill, Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy Bill, and many more.

Amenah F. Pangandaman, the current Secretary of Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is recognized as the first Muslim woman to hold a position as a cabinet member. She also received the Philippines’ Woman Leaders Award by the World Women Leadership Congress for her significant role and governance in the development of the country’s economy. [3]

These women are only few of the many women around the country, or rather the world, to be courageous enough and take a position in politics to serve the people and work for the betterment of their country. This just proves that contrary to the stereotypes that people set to describe women when they’re taking the lead, lies various female leaders’ actions that furthermore serves as evidence that women can be fearless leaders, an alpha type, one can say.

𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗩𝗘, 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗

“When everyone believes ya, what’s that like?” Women have been doubted about their capacity to do something, to do what they think is right. Countless words have been spoken and endless stares have been thrown, all containing the message that women can only do a few things, and leadership is not one of them.

What does it really feel like when everyone believes in you and your abilities? Hopefully, in the future or maybe the next generation, women will know the answer to this question. And when they answer, no one will ever doubt their response. No one will ever shake their head and disapprove.

“When we fight, we win,” the words uttered by the presidential candidate of the United States of America (USA), Kamala Harris. From then until now, female leaders have been continuing to fight and show their worth and ability within the supposedly "male-dominated" worlds so that in the future, they can confidently state that women can lead. So that in the future, women will never again picture themselves to be "The Man", but instead own up in being "The Woman" that they are.

REFERENCES:

[1] Tremmel, M., & Wahl, I. (2023). Gender stereotypes in leadership: Analyzing the content and evaluation of stereotypes about typical, male, and female leaders. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1034258

[2] Baron, G. (2024, October 25). Ex-VP Robredo’s Angat Buhay mobilized to aid typhoon victims. Daily Tribune. https://tribune.net.ph/2024/10/25/ex-vp-robredos-angat-buhay-mobilized-to-aid-typhoon-victims

[3] Pangandaman Bags PH Woman Leaders Award. (2023). Department of Budget and Management. https://www.dbm.gov.ph/index.php/management-2/17-pangandaman-bags-ph-woman-leaders-award