Embracing 'Girl Power'

Aha, so does that mean it's OK to have a men's lounge?

IMHO what a load of feminist cobblers. Time to move forward, the days of the little woman at home managing the house and looking after the kids while hubby went to work are long gone. Most families having working parents and gender is no barrier now for advancement or achievement. 

There is a biological reality that women give birth and are more likely to postpone or give up careers,  maybe from maternal instinct or necessity, this will always skew stats, from number of CEO's to number of MP's. But there are plenty of examples now of high flying mums delegating responsibility to either partners or childcare.

Gender stereotypes still exist, stuffy gentlemens clubs may linger on, but like the Empire of a different age, these attitudes will die off with the older generations that still foster them.

Youngsters leaving school now aren't shackled to the past. The brightest and best will always succeed regardless of background, gender or race. We don't need percentage targets of class, gender or ethnic background. Just the smartest people driving industry, business and the country forward.

There's a very good reason why designer kitchens exist..... so women can be happy....

Do chefs come with the kitchens?  because I wouldn't be very happy if that wasn't the case 

Originally Posted by Barney

“There's a very good reason why designer kitchens exist..... so women can be happy....”

This is just the sort of female stereo-typing that makes me angry.   Why do we need white cushions with glittery writing??

Having worked on a project about lone female travellers at my previous employer, it was very disappointing to discover that many of the so-called "empowering" individuals/organisations are only there to make money (surprise, surprise!).   Whilst working on this project, one of my male colleagues asked why it was restricted to females.  Okay, we have characteristics that are unique to us, but that doesn't mean that it's only females who get harassed on flights/in hotels, etc.    

Back to the original topic, Steve summed it up very well.  Times are changing and it's not difficult to find out what interests your male colleagues.  I've worked in a lot of predominantly male environments and have got on with the guys because I know something about football/cricket/rugby, etc.   Why should we shut ourselves away in "girls lounges" with naff decor because someone has decided to make money telling us that's what we need......

I am with Julia here, sounds like my worst nightmare! Sparkly cushions and room full of women? What a way to segregate yourself  Sounds like a huge step backwards, do they hand out free tampons too? jeeeez. No wonder I prefer male company! 

I must just be very girly haha, all things sparkly please

Originally Posted by Rebecca (PayforPrecision)

“I am with Julia here, sounds like my worst nightmare! Sparkly cushions and room full of women? What a way to segregate yourself  Sounds like a huge step backwards, do they hand out free tampons too? jeeeez. No wonder I prefer male company! ”

Thanks Rebecca, couldn't have put it better myself!!

An ex-boss once commented at my annual appraisal that I had a problem, my relationship with my female colleagues.  Yes, he was right; the pettiness demonstrated by them was exactly why I got on better with the guys......

The organisations making money out of the "sisterhood" aren't just in the USA, I can think of a couple over here that I try to avoid