5 Myths about Women

Author: Aaron Mosley

For centuries women have been seen as inferior because of traditional beliefs passed on by generations, and they have had rather a lot of criticism along with these beliefs. In today’s society there are still many myths and bad stigmas surrounding women. Women are one of the most criticized groups in the World, but the truth is that if women were presented the same opportunities as men many great things would arise just as they have from those opportunities given to men. 

Myth #1: Women can't do math or science

The thought that women can only be good at certain subjects is laughable. That's why this myth is mind boggling to me and not to mention there are a countless number of women mathematical and scientific contributors. For example, Marie Curie was a chemist who studied radioactivity, and doing so discovered to new elements on the periodic table. For her contributions a new element was named after her, Curium. “Marie Curie was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize. In her lifetime, she got not one, but two. She was the first scientist to win two Nobel Prizes. Not only that, but she also was the first person to receive to win two Nobel Prizes in two different fields, Chemistry and Physics.” (Marie Curie)

Myth #2: She asked for it

Of all the myths this one is by far the most insensitive and arrogant one, and I would go as far to say that this is simply a lie. No one has ever asked to be sexually assaulted, and just to say that someone is asking for that is disgusting. One in five women in the United States are sexually assaulted, and it’s to be thought that only about thirty percent of those women report the assault. People defend this sexist remark by saying things such as "what she was wearing was provocative,” or “she was flaunting herself around.”

Myth #3: Women can’t lead

I’m sure everyone knows of a female president, principal, business owner, or CEO or a company. There are many examples of female leaders, such as women leading in business. “Multiple studies have found that adding women to all-male teams leads to greater financial success,” Joanne says. “Firms with the most female board members outperform those with the least by almost every financial measure. Companies whose top management is at least half female post returns on equity that are 19% higher than average.” (McLaren)

Myth #4: Women crack under pressure

A quote from a great women's rights advocate and tennis player says, “When an oppressed people are given an opportunity, they will make the best of it.” The women wo said this was Billie Jean King. King was a phenomenal tennis player in her young adult years. In 1973 King had the match of champions. The retired male champion, Bobby Riggs, and her battled for the victory amongst victories. Against the odds she swept the champ in just three rounds. It's hard to imagine the pressure Billie Jean King felt that day because not only was she battling to win the match, but she was battling for the equality of  women. She was trying to show that women can be just as good as men. (Careadmin)

Men and women are equals, and the reason these myths are still alive is because of the lack of equal opportunity. Women have contributed and worked to get to where we are today in society, yet women are still labeled as inferior to men. Women deserve as much credit on building today's world as do men, and without the criticism, myths, and flat out lies being said about them. 

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Works Cited

Careadmin. “Top Ten Myths About Women.” CARE, 15 Sept. 2017, www.care.org/.

McLaren, Samantha. “3 Myths About Women.” Business Solutions on LinkedIn | 

LinkedIn Business, 20 Aug. 2018, business.linkedin.com/.

“Marie Curie.” Marie Curie, mariecuriepd7.weebly.com/.