By Roxanne Rivera
Just My E-Pinion
Some statistics indicate that the recent recession has been harder on men than women. Author Roxanne Rivera explains why women might have a better chance at busting through the recession.
The recession has been difficult for most Americans. But has it affected men more than women? Recent statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggest so. Recently released statistics from BLS show that 78 percent of jobs lost during the recession were held by men, and women’s wages have risen by 1.2 percent more than men’s over the past 2 years.
I don’t know if you can say to any degree of certainty that either gender has done better or worse than the other during the recession, but in my opinion women have adapted better than men.
Why might that be? There are a number of inherent qualities that may make women better suited to handle the challenges of the recession:
1. Women are used to stress
First, many women, regardless of industry, work in "boys club"-type environments. They are used to dealing with the added stress that comes with feeling as though they have to constantly be working at a higher level than the men at their organizations. Second, women are used to multitasking. They know that, often, others measure the success of women based on how well they juggle their work and home lives.
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2. Women are not defined solely by their jobs
Men tend to measure their self-worth by how much money they are making, their ability to provide for their families, and their position at work. Women, however, tend to define themselves by their relationships inside and outside work. Because of this, women aren’t taking as big a hit to the ego as men, and that is helping women to keep their heads up during the recession.
3. Women build strong support networks
Throughout history, women have had to unite in order to gain equal footing with men both inside and outside the workplace. Women have well-organized associations and other groups because we have to. It provides the strength in numbers we need to ensure we keep making progress toward complete equality. These groups have been very beneficial in the recession because women know exactly where to go for advice and information.
4. Women are wired to do business by "relationship"
Because women tend to be more empathetic than men, building strong relationships often comes easier to them. They can tap into a caring nature more easily than most men, which helps them relate to business partners, clients, and employees who are struggling during this recession. Relationships are key right now.
5. Women are not afraid to tighten their belts
For companies, the recession means reduced spending, and that can sometimes translate to pay cuts and benefit cuts for employees—practices that tend to affect men more negatively (at least in an emotional sense) than women.
6. Women lead by consensus
Where men might take on an "every man for himself" mentality during the recession, women will use their ability to lead by consensus to provide value to their organizations. They involve their people in finding ways to cut costs, constantly remind them that they are important—a necessity when companies cannot offer raises or other rewards—and, in general, just try to be part of the solution.
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7. Women are not afraid to seek out advice
It might be a stereotype, but the idea that men won’t stop to ask for directions when they are lost seems to hold true during a recession. Women simply seem more willing to seek out advice during economic hard times. Women are collaborative. They are more willing to take a let’s-get-through-this-together mentality. They don’t look at needing help as a sign of weakness.
8. Women know how to build the bench
Women know that investing in their employees or direct reports does not mean paying them more or promising big bonuses in the future. It means giving them the support they need, helping them find pride in their work, and giving them positive feedback and encouragement. All of these elements come together to help women build a strong bench—a team that is motivated to get the job done even when it takes more work for less reward.
Bottom line: Women make great leaders. And that is really shining through during the recession.
Roxanne is the president and CEO of the Associated Builders and Contractors of New Mexico and author of the new book There’s No Crying in Business: How Women Can Succeed in Male-Dominated Industries (Palgrave Macmillan).
It is unfortunate that generalizations and stereotypes are acceptable arguments in today’s world. If an article like this were written about males and their “abilities” it would be unacceptable.
Why the double standard?
The frank truth is women can do anything that men can do and men can do anything that women can do. Gender should have nothing to do with it. Yet thanks to the sins of our forefathers, men are paying the price and will continue to do so in the decades to come.
Reverse discrimination is still discrimination.
It is a disgusting relic of past misdeeds that leads us to have this type of dialogue. Women vs. men… It is absolutely disgusting. This is “cave man” dialogue. As a society, we are smarter than this. Aren’t we?
Let’s have a dialogue about passion and ability – not gender – “women are better at this or that…” Gender should have absolutely nothing to do with anything.
I think the real reason that women’s incomes are rising is because they should be rising compared to men’s. Why? Because the data suggests there is still an imbalance there. Women are as smart as men and can lead just as effectively. Therefore, women should and must be compensated similarly. Until balance occurs, women’s incomes will continue to rise relative to men.
Women have historically been underpaid and underpromoted relative to men. That is wrong and needs to be made right. Economic forces as well as government intervention and societal awareness are righting the wrongs of the past.
Therefore… Is it really inherent female “gender skill” (over men) or is it economic forces working themselves out?
Furthermore… Let’s be real. Women enjoy a “protected status” under the federal government. An excellent example is SBA 8A. If you are a male and you are competing against a female-owned business with everything else equal, you lose. Why? Because of your gender.
That is not fair.
Stop the cliche’ generalizations and stereotyping and let’s have an intelligent dialogue.
I appreciate your insight on why this recession is more difficult for men. And if you are strictly referring to an emotional viewpoint, then I agree with most of what you have said.
However, if you are referring to the loss of jobs, I think women have a singular advantage…they are a protected class. While I have not seen the research, I would be willing to bet that white males under forty are the hardest hit during the recession, with white males over forty being the next largest group. Why? Because when determining which positions (and inherently which incumbents in those positions) to eliminate, companies see this as an opportunity to balance out minority groups and protected status’ in their organizations.
For right or wrong reasons, and every thing else being equal, a white male will get the pink slip more often than a female of any race or age, simply because the organization will not want to face the headache of having to prove that they did not discriminate.
#7 Begins with, “It might be a stereotype…” The rest of the comments sound like they might be stereotypical too! Either that or they are what some would call “Hasty Generalizations.”
Excellent informative posting.
A reaction:
The recession rightfully has taken a harder toll on men! I say good! Because they are the ones who created it! The unfortunate reality is that is taking a harder toll on non-privileged, not rich, not wall street banker, not magnates and the wrong “men” and their families are suffering…this will never change. But we can try. Thank you