The myth of the “Superwoman”
This week, I had the chance to attend a workshop organized by ‘Women on the Move’ by JPMorgan about societal pressure on working women and the dangers of trying to be a ‘superwoman’. It resonated with me, and I wanted to share some thoughts that particularly struck me. 💡
Last Monday, my daughter joined my morning team meetings, she’d been sick all night and couldn’t go to school. Thankfully this is ok in our team and so not too much of a worry (as long as you are lucky to work from home)! Don’t get me wrong, this is not a feminist comment, I know my husband is a wonderful dad and he would have done the same and I do count within my friends and colleagues a lot of amazing dads who do take time to care for their sick kids!
But the reality is, as women, we are often encouraged to manage everything: career, family, household chores, and much more. And if we manage to do it all, it’s amazing, isn’t it? But at what cost? 🤔
The myth of the “Superwoman”, capable of perfectly juggling between professional and personal life, is appealing… but it is also dangerous. The mental load, fatigue, and sometimes even burnout threaten those who try to do everything relentlessly.
💼 Professionally: We are expected to be high-performing, engaged, ambitious, while having less flexibility than our male counterparts when it comes to taking breaks or making family-related concessions.
🏠 Personally: Managing children, the house, and unexpected events often weighs more heavily on women’s shoulders. Studies show that even in couples where both work full-time, the distribution of domestic tasks remains unequal.
⚖️ The gender difference:
• For men, society tends to value professional success more as a sign of achievement.
• For women, success is often measured by our ability to “balance everything”. This unspoken pressure to manage everything creates an invisible but very real burden.
🌟 The alternative? 🌟
It’s time to question these expectations. Wanting to succeed on all fronts is admirable, but no one should feel obligated to take on the Superwoman role. Let’s redefine success to include not only performance but also well-being, shared responsibilities, and balance. And most importantly, let’s not be afraid to ask for help or to say no.
No one is perfect, and that’s perfectly fine. 💪✨
#jpmorgan #womeninfinance #workingmums #weallaresuperwoman #womenonthemove #workingparents #workingdads #worklifebalance
I help you find confidence with money 💰😊💪🏾 | Founder NerdyBird | Financial Fitness Coach® | Certified Financial Planner® | Speaker and Corporate Facilitator | AMFI-Registered Mutual Fund Distributor
1wPearls of wisdom, CA Nisha Dhanuka! Kavita, introducing you to Nisha. She is my go-to expert for all things business-related - compliances, business plans, accounting etc. Could be a valuable addition to your show :)