The Cost of Female Silence is Too High
I'm currently in the process of putting together a proposal for Texas A&M's TEDx selection process.
I'm proposing to give a talk about how it is still taboo for women to assertively speak up for themselves in so many parts of our society.
As I was putting down my thoughts on what that costs, women as individuals, and what it costs our society to have approximately half of its population not confidently contributing to some of the most important conversations in their lives, I ruminated on how so much of what we learn is acceptable and preferred in society and in our families is unspoken.
When girls are shushed because they're being too loud or too aggressive or not lady-like, no words are spoken, but the girls get the message loud and clear that how they are is not an acceptable way to be and they need to adjust to other meet people's expectations.
They have to be something or someone different if they want to be told they are good girls or not get in trouble or get those smiles out of adults that show they've done something that pleases the important, powerful people in their lives. Each time a girl tamps herself down or lowers her voice or avoids talking about things that adults don't think are acceptable for girls, she loses a part of herself and we, as a society, miss out on an opportunity to experience whatever brilliance she could share, if she showed up fully as herself and spoke what she knew was true.
I want my generation of women to do a better job of intentionally, assertively and consistently supporting girls at an early age and encouraging them with smiles and nods of approval when they speak up, and speak their truth
The deserve to have that behavior rewarded.
In the meantime, I’ll be doing my part to push back against decades of conditioning and show up and speak up as my true self more and more.
Much love to the authentic you!
Anissa