I guess I feel like Neuborne's article makes a good point, but I'm not sure I fully agree with the way she makes it. It depends on how, exactly, she defines "programming." I think that, for one, societal expectations of gender roles exist for men and women, and it is the way social constructions play out in the work and other parts of society that affect the way one reacts, male or female, strait or queer, etc. But I feel like her initial example, when she apologized to her boss, may have come from a different place. It can be argued, sure, that there was a gender struggle there, and I think that's probably true. But, because he WAS her boss, he probably also saw her arguement as a threat to his authority. I that anyone in a position of power over someone else would react similarly, male or female. I know that the main point of the article was not that her boss told her to lower her voice, but rather her apology. It is important that we learn to stand our ground, but I think that everyone needs to learn to do this, and I just imagine it's possible that anyone would be likely to apologize to a person of authority.
Posted by Debbie Sellnow at December 11, 2005 06:57 PM