I Got Rejected Because I Was A Woman: How Patriarchy Affected My Career

Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. This system is prevalent in many cultures across the globe and has been the norm for centuries.

Patriarchy is not only harmful to women, but also to men, and society as a whole. It limits the potential of both men and women by enforcing rigid gender roles and stereotypes. Men are taught to be dominant and aggressive, while women are taught to be submissive and nurturing. These stereotypes can lead to toxic masculinity, which can manifest in harmful behaviours such as violence and sexual harassment.

Ideas Of Patriarchy

Patriarchy reinforces the idea that men are superior to women. This leads to discrimination and inequality in the workplace and politics. Women are often paid less than men for the same work and are underrepresented in leadership positions. This not only harms individual women but also undermines the functioning of society as a whole.

However, it is important to note that patriarchy is not only a problem in the developing world but also in the western world where women are still struggling for equal representation in politics and other spheres.

The fight against &t=14s">patriarchy is ongoing and multifaceted. It involves challenging and changing the societal norms and beliefs that perpetuate them. It also involves changing laws and policies that discriminate against women and creating a culture where men and women are treated as equals.

One example of this is the #MeToo movement, which has shed light on the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault, especially in the workplace. The movement has led to changes in laws and policies and has started important conversations about consent and the power dynamics that lead to abuse.

Patriarchy affected my career

I am sharing my own story from when I was in my college years. During 2011 and 2012 I was preparing for some government exams and had golden dreams of becoming an IAS officer or a bank manager. There was a time when digitalisation and the internet were luxuries for some families. My family was not so good in financial terms that we can afford a smartphone or a mobile recharge. So I was preparing on my own.

I was helping my family by conducting personal tuition for primary school students at their homes. We could not afford a two-wheeler at that time. I had a bicycle on which I would ride daily for 4 to 5 hours to take tuition from one house to another house. I was a scholar student and hopeful of cracking one of the exams in the government sector.

When I passed the first round of a state exam and qualified for the next stage of main written exams, I was happy and excited. My confidence was boosted and I started preparing rigorously after that. I passed the second test and qualified for the interview. During the interview process, I faced discrimination and was rejected for being a woman. 

I was devastated and my confidence was low after that incident. I started a job in a teaching career because patriarchal society believes that women should prefer teaching roles as it is the most comfortable job. However, it was not the reason for which I chose the teaching profession. I chose academics because I have a passion for teaching.

Patriarchy and Career

In a private institution, I was again discriminated against by male staff members in choosing subjects and selecting the seating area in the staff room.  The college was offering engineering subjects and most of the students were male. I have gone through many mental traumas due to self-doubt. I was having doubts due to wrong mental conditioning.

When I realised that, I left the job and started my freelancing journey. Now I am independent and proud of what I have. I always wonder why societies have such rules for females and pre-defined notions for women. I am more confident now and face male counterparts with impressive skills, knowledge, and power. I don't want any woman to face the difficulties that I faced in the early stage career due to patriarchy.

This question arises in our minds after reading this story; Why do always women have to fight for their place in society?

While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done in dismantling the patriarchy. It is a complex and deeply ingrained system that will take time and sustained effort to change. In conclusion, I want to say that a woman should know her potential and never underestimate herself in any aspect of life. 

Views expressed are the author's own. 

Mansi Trivedi is a freelance content writer.

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