Gendered Expectations

No-one is winning from the impossible gendered expectations we hold of one another.

We hear a lot about wanting people to bring their whole selves to work, but are we truly creating room for that?

Women need to likeable but not passive, to show confidence but not make anyone uncomfortable with their confidence.

We want men to be ‘hands-on’ Dads but they often face stigma for taking the parental leave available. We want them to be allies but also blame them for inequality.

Gender-diverse people are expected to educate others, justify their existence but also not make other people feel uncomfortable...

It’s the ‘double-bind’ trap. Step outside that tiny box of what's considered acceptable, and you're going to pay a price somehow.

We talk about this in our workshops and use actors to show the real impact of this double bind. Here are some practical ways to call out these impossible expectations:

- Call it out when you see it - whether it’s a woman being described as ‘bossy’ or a joke made about someones pronouns.

- Check your own assumptions. Ask yourself: Would I be reacting the same way if this were a different gender?

- Champion diversity. Show support for and lift the voices of those who are breaking these stereotypes.

- Talk about it. Normalise these conversations. The more we name the bind, the less power it has.

It’s not an overnight fix but acknowledging these stereotypes are the first step in making a change - a change that will make things better for all of us.

If you'd like to learn more about how Squash can help your organisation turn awareness into action through drama-based training, get in touch!