As cliché as it perhaps sounds, I believe that most women would benefit from nurturing a stronger sense of confidence. Traditionally, in America, women have been confined to the domestic space and cultivated to defer to men in society. Though we have progressed a long way from this antiquated ideology, these gender attitudes are by no means completely absent—note the glass ceiling remains intact in many workplaces.

This is not to vilify men, however, because too often women are the ones who have internalized, and perpetuate, this notion of the traditional female. Indeed, this ultimately has less to do with men and comparisons with men than it does with a prevalent female attitude about gender. Many women seem to subscribe to the idea that femininity means docility and a quiet manner, where deference (even to other women!) is key. Many women, in their anxiety to avoid being labeled a “bitch”, resist any strong behavior traits at all.

This is a self-defeating mode of operation, one that keeps women from achieving a higher career status, enhanced social standing, or, even more basically, respect. How will anyone gain the admiration and deference of others if they seem to deny these things to themselves?

It is important, therefore, for women to shed these outdated and harmful ideas about femininity and grasp the opportunities available to them. They must recognize their own strengths as people, and have the confidence to advertise these strengths to others. Even physical cues for confidence, like straight posture and eye contact, makes women appear stronger and more deserving of respect. True, people suffer from lack of confidence regardless of gender. However, it is my opinion that women have been cultivated to have less confidence based on outmoded ideas about acceptable gender behaviors, and therefore must make a more concentrated effort to the contrary, however small. As long as a significant number of women fail to radiate self-confidence, they give permission to others to take advantage of and disrespect them. At worst, they undercut the efforts of all women as they seek to assume a position of social and work-related equality.