Tapestry™
Thursday, December 11, 2008
America is not ready for a woman in the White House
Let me say this right up front. I do not think women should be prohibited from serving in the White House. Now everyone seems to agree women have a place in the White House, but I’m not talking about the cleaning staff. I’m talking about the presidency.
Twice we have seen women vie for the position of vice-president and once we have seen a serious attempt at becoming a party’s candidate for the top spot on the ballot.
Comparing the last two, which occurred this year to the first one, dating back over two decades, we see little change.
When a women runs for the office we see headlines about who is watching the children, how much is spent on wardrobe, favorite recipe, and other categories historically positioned as female.
All three women had to be careful how they presented themselves about issues for which they are passionate. Women cannot be too stern as they become bitchy and may have a hormonal problem. If they are too emotional they are seen as week.
When they allegedly say something stupid, it is a major headline. Let me give you an example. The press largely ignored Obama’s announcement he had visited 57 states. They sidestepped Biden’s historical inaccuracy that FDR had gone on the yet-to-be-invented network television. Yet they heralded Palin asking if Africa was a country or continent in spite of the fact she never said such a thing and her state has been active in Darfur aid. They also ridiculed Clinton for comments about landing in a war zone as if no male has ever embellished a story.
It is not so much that the press reacted this way as that would only further indicate the out-of-touchness of the media. It is more that other women have joined in on the attacks.
Until women’s groups stop looking at the politics a women stands upon and is consistent in the ideals that females can rise about the level of governor or senator we will not see a women in the Oval Office.
Let me say this right up front. I do not think women should be prohibited from serving in the White House. Now everyone seems to agree women have a place in the White House, but I’m not talking about the cleaning staff. I’m talking about the presidency.Twice we have seen women vie for the position of vice-president and once we have seen a serious attempt at becoming a party’s candidate for the top spot on the ballot.
Comparing the last two, which occurred this year to the first one, dating back over two decades, we see little change.
When a women runs for the office we see headlines about who is watching the children, how much is spent on wardrobe, favorite recipe, and other categories historically positioned as female.
All three women had to be careful how they presented themselves about issues for which they are passionate. Women cannot be too stern as they become bitchy and may have a hormonal problem. If they are too emotional they are seen as week.
When they allegedly say something stupid, it is a major headline. Let me give you an example. The press largely ignored Obama’s announcement he had visited 57 states. They sidestepped Biden’s historical inaccuracy that FDR had gone on the yet-to-be-invented network television. Yet they heralded Palin asking if Africa was a country or continent in spite of the fact she never said such a thing and her state has been active in Darfur aid. They also ridiculed Clinton for comments about landing in a war zone as if no male has ever embellished a story.
It is not so much that the press reacted this way as that would only further indicate the out-of-touchness of the media. It is more that other women have joined in on the attacks.
Until women’s groups stop looking at the politics a women stands upon and is consistent in the ideals that females can rise about the level of governor or senator we will not see a women in the Oval Office.
Labels: gender, Politics, Regional
¶ 12/11/2008 1 Comments Links to this post
Friday, November 7, 2008
Vietnam drivers must pass eye and chest test
The Health Ministry in Vietnam has recommended that in addition to the eye examine, women must also pass a chest test before given a driver’s license. According to the ministry it is dangerous for a women whose chest is less than 28 inches is dangerous when driving a motorcycle.
Now I do not like choosing sides in a national debate, but it seems like larger breasts would be more dangerous. Not only could they be an obstacle in a sharp turn, they could cause accidents as other drivers were distracted.
Think of the humiliation for the repeat offender. How do you explain to your cellmates that you are serving time for being less endowed?
The Health Ministry in Vietnam has recommended that in addition to the eye examine, women must also pass a chest test before given a driver’s license. According to the ministry it is dangerous for a women whose chest is less than 28 inches is dangerous when driving a motorcycle.Now I do not like choosing sides in a national debate, but it seems like larger breasts would be more dangerous. Not only could they be an obstacle in a sharp turn, they could cause accidents as other drivers were distracted.
Think of the humiliation for the repeat offender. How do you explain to your cellmates that you are serving time for being less endowed?
Labels: Ethnicity, gender, News, Regional
¶ 11/07/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Korean women change business culture
Businesses in South Korea have found their culture has been preventing them from joining the global business world. Today they are working hard to completely change their culture into one of the most progressive structures on the globe according to an article in the International Herald Tribune.
Women are finally demanding respect while titles are being eliminated for many male mid-level management.
Of course this also means that many men are requesting women help with the bills.
¶ 11/05/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Businesses in South Korea have found their culture has been preventing them from joining the global business world. Today they are working hard to completely change their culture into one of the most progressive structures on the globe according to an article in the International Herald Tribune.Women are finally demanding respect while titles are being eliminated for many male mid-level management.
Of course this also means that many men are requesting women help with the bills.
¶ 11/05/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Cultural beginnings of male managers
Editor's note: Even today’s transformed caveman needs a personal and business marketing plan. Robert Middleton, "The Info Guru", is offering a Marketing Start-Up Kit completely without cost or obligation. Click on the following ad to learn more.
The way male managers power dress, posture and exercise power is due to humans' evolutionary biology, according to research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Prehistoric behaviors, such as male domination, protecting what is perceived as their "turf" and ostracizing those who do not agree with the group is more commonplace in everyday work situations than many of us want to accept, according to the research which was carried out in hospitals.
To read the rest of this story, click here.
Prehistoric behaviors, such as male domination, protecting what is perceived as their "turf" and ostracizing those who do not agree with the group is more commonplace in everyday work situations than many of us want to accept, according to the research which was carried out in hospitals.
To read the rest of this story, click here.
Editor's note: Even today’s transformed caveman needs a personal and business marketing plan. Robert Middleton, "The Info Guru", is offering a Marketing Start-Up Kit completely without cost or obligation. Click on the following ad to learn more.
Labels: Corporate, gender, Leadership
¶ 10/07/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Friday, September 5, 2008
Survey shows gender bias in leadership
A survey released by Pew Research Center shows a gender bias when it comes to leaders. Although 69 percent of respondents felt both men and women are equally good leaders, six percent felt women make better leaders while more than 20 percent felt men were better leaders.
Women held the greatest positive opinion in the area of integrity. Fifty percent feel women have more integrity while only 20 percent felt men had more integrity.
It should be noted that despite the overwhelming opinion of equality, only 2 percent of board members for Fortune 500 companies are held by women.
A survey released by Pew Research Center shows a gender bias when it comes to leaders. Although 69 percent of respondents felt both men and women are equally good leaders, six percent felt women make better leaders while more than 20 percent felt men were better leaders.Women held the greatest positive opinion in the area of integrity. Fifty percent feel women have more integrity while only 20 percent felt men had more integrity.
It should be noted that despite the overwhelming opinion of equality, only 2 percent of board members for Fortune 500 companies are held by women.
Labels: gender, Leadership, Survey
¶ 9/05/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Few surprises in gender survey
Sometimes a survey provides never before known facts. Other times a survey may only confirm prior knowledge. There are few surprises in a new gender survey by Relationship Services.
Seventy-eight percent of couples have regular disagreements. Here is what they argue about:
Sometimes a survey provides never before known facts. Other times a survey may only confirm prior knowledge. There are few surprises in a new gender survey by Relationship Services.Seventy-eight percent of couples have regular disagreements. Here is what they argue about:
- 40% money
- 31% work pressures
- 29% time pressures
- 26% housework
- 25% sex
The survey also reports that 31% are most bothered by nagging while women complain 41% of men don’t listen.
Perhaps if they weren’t nagging all the time, their man would listen.
Perhaps if they weren’t nagging all the time, their man would listen.
Labels: gender
¶ 7/17/2008 1 Comments Links to this post
Monday, July 7, 2008
Man gives birth – really
Thomas Beatie has given birth to a healthy baby girl! This is not the first time he has been in the headlines. He used to be a model and made it to the finals of the Miss Hawaii Teen USA pageant.
Okay, there is more to this story. The former Tracy Lagondino decided to keep female sex organs during the change to become Thomas Beatie.
It is those organs that enabled Tracy, now Thomas, to conceive and deliver the girl, becoming the first man to have labor. ¶ 7/07/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Thomas Beatie has given birth to a healthy baby girl! This is not the first time he has been in the headlines. He used to be a model and made it to the finals of the Miss Hawaii Teen USA pageant.Okay, there is more to this story. The former Tracy Lagondino decided to keep female sex organs during the change to become Thomas Beatie.
It is those organs that enabled Tracy, now Thomas, to conceive and deliver the girl, becoming the first man to have labor. ¶ 7/07/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Monday, June 30, 2008
Instead of multiple wives, how about multiple husbands?
According to Britain’s ActionAid, the ratio of boys to girls in India has reached an all-time low. Gender-selective abortions has been skewing the ration of boys to girls, which is global 1:1, so much so that girls are underrepresented in the total population by as much as 10% in some Indian states. One area where gender selection is most prominent is second born. The younger child in the family is 33% more likely to be a boy than a girl!
Parents seem to take more pride in having sons to carry forward the family legacy and some parents see girls as a financial burden due to the needs for providing a dowry.
Could a shortage of girls mean that polygamy could be reversed? Think about it, without enough girls to go around, two men might have to marry the same girl! ¶ 6/30/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
According to Britain’s ActionAid, the ratio of boys to girls in India has reached an all-time low. Gender-selective abortions has been skewing the ration of boys to girls, which is global 1:1, so much so that girls are underrepresented in the total population by as much as 10% in some Indian states. One area where gender selection is most prominent is second born. The younger child in the family is 33% more likely to be a boy than a girl!Parents seem to take more pride in having sons to carry forward the family legacy and some parents see girls as a financial burden due to the needs for providing a dowry.
Could a shortage of girls mean that polygamy could be reversed? Think about it, without enough girls to go around, two men might have to marry the same girl! ¶ 6/30/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Men and women held to same topless standard
Having once lived there, the Asbury Park, NJ, Press has long been a favorite newspaper for reporting on the unusual side of the news – thing you do not typically read elsewhere. For example, they recently printed a story about a man in Easton, Pennsylvania, that was ticketed by police for not wearing a shirt in public. In 1974 the city passed a gender equality law that forbad anyone to go topless in public.
I wonder if there is a market for men’s two-piece swimsuits.
Having once lived there, the Asbury Park, NJ, Press has long been a favorite newspaper for reporting on the unusual side of the news – thing you do not typically read elsewhere. For example, they recently printed a story about a man in Easton, Pennsylvania, that was ticketed by police for not wearing a shirt in public. In 1974 the city passed a gender equality law that forbad anyone to go topless in public.I wonder if there is a market for men’s two-piece swimsuits.
Labels: gender
¶ 6/17/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Men fail to act on women’s cues
The differences between men and women are among the most difficult to understand.
OK, this is not a newsflash – it seems to have been so since the beginning of the gender culture.
According to women between the ages of 21 to 30, only 13% of men react to the subtle signals they send to him know they are interested. This is according to a survey for Unilever by StrategyOne Research.
So how are these women giving the “signals”?
The differences between men and women are among the most difficult to understand.OK, this is not a newsflash – it seems to have been so since the beginning of the gender culture.
According to women between the ages of 21 to 30, only 13% of men react to the subtle signals they send to him know they are interested. This is according to a survey for Unilever by StrategyOne Research.
So how are these women giving the “signals”?
- 69% make eye contact and smile flirtatiously
- 37% ask for his opinion or advice about something
- 26% approach his friends
- 23% ask for the time
Labels: gender
¶ 5/07/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Friday, April 25, 2008
Are men or women better drivers?
There has long been a gender culture question about who are the best drivers: men or women. We now have the answer thanks to a survey by Private Fleet. Rather than using accident or ticketed violation data, their approach was to confidentially survey drivers to find out “admitted” driving habits.
Women excelled at not driving while drunk, talking on cell phones only when using a hands-free device, and not speeding. In fact there was only one category where men practice safer driving habits – they are less likely to drive while text-messaging.
Some additional interesting outcomes: BMW are the most likely to drive intoxicated while Hyundai drivers are less likely to speed or trying to intimidate other drivers.
It is important to note that negative driving habits were admitted by 32% or less in every category, meaning that the majority or drivers by gender or car-brand are obeying the law.
¶ 4/25/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
There has long been a gender culture question about who are the best drivers: men or women. We now have the answer thanks to a survey by Private Fleet. Rather than using accident or ticketed violation data, their approach was to confidentially survey drivers to find out “admitted” driving habits.
Women excelled at not driving while drunk, talking on cell phones only when using a hands-free device, and not speeding. In fact there was only one category where men practice safer driving habits – they are less likely to drive while text-messaging.
Some additional interesting outcomes: BMW are the most likely to drive intoxicated while Hyundai drivers are less likely to speed or trying to intimidate other drivers.
It is important to note that negative driving habits were admitted by 32% or less in every category, meaning that the majority or drivers by gender or car-brand are obeying the law.
¶ 4/25/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Celebrating cultural success
If you want to connect to the emerging cultures in your neighborhood or across the globe, one proven method is to celebrate their successes. Take a look at the commercial below.
This 1960s ad campaign was used by the Philip Morris Company to grab market share in their highly competitive product line. It was a huge success as women wanted to be associated with the product. Why this one over the others on store shelves? Because they created an image that their product was not only a celebration of the advances in their culture, but it was the first of the product line to meet their specific needs.
What can you celebrate about the cultures with whom you want to connect?
This 1960s ad campaign was used by the Philip Morris Company to grab market share in their highly competitive product line. It was a huge success as women wanted to be associated with the product. Why this one over the others on store shelves? Because they created an image that their product was not only a celebration of the advances in their culture, but it was the first of the product line to meet their specific needs.
What can you celebrate about the cultures with whom you want to connect?
Labels: Business, gender, Video
¶ 2/26/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Wal-Mart opens door for cultural competition
Wal-Mart is open the door for culturally-minded storeowners by discontinuing more than 1000 magazines from the list of titles its stores can carry. Most magazines on the list has specific cultural demographics allowing for other merchants targeting that demographic have a competitive advantage over Wal-Mart's narrow offerings.
Wal-Mart has long left the door open to other retailers to find successful niches enabling them to survive side-by-side. Targeting specific cultures with merchandise offers smaller retailers, and everyone's a small retailer, to meet the needs and desires of specific groups within their community. These magazines offer another commerce niche to exploit when attracting culturally specific customers.
Among the magazines that were cut from the Wal-Mart approved list are Better Homes and Gardens, which is still popular for women -- particularly those in the Baby Boomer and Builder/Traditionalist generations. Condé Nast and The Economist were cut, providing an opportunity for those reaching out to the affluent culture.
Eliminating the titles is not an indication the magazines are not sellable, profitable, or desirable for other stores. It is merely keeping within Sam Walton's established culture of narrow product offerings. By limiting the number of products within any individual category or target group, Wal-Mart is able to keep their UPC catalog smaller to improve cash register efficiency. In the case of merchandise that flows through the distribution centers, narrowing the product mix allows them to handle fewer products and higher quantities which reduces handling and carrying costs.
Wal-Mart’s weaknesses
Wal-Mart is open the door for culturally-minded storeowners by discontinuing more than 1000 magazines from the list of titles its stores can carry. Most magazines on the list has specific cultural demographics allowing for other merchants targeting that demographic have a competitive advantage over Wal-Mart's narrow offerings.Wal-Mart has long left the door open to other retailers to find successful niches enabling them to survive side-by-side. Targeting specific cultures with merchandise offers smaller retailers, and everyone's a small retailer, to meet the needs and desires of specific groups within their community. These magazines offer another commerce niche to exploit when attracting culturally specific customers.
Among the magazines that were cut from the Wal-Mart approved list are Better Homes and Gardens, which is still popular for women -- particularly those in the Baby Boomer and Builder/Traditionalist generations. Condé Nast and The Economist were cut, providing an opportunity for those reaching out to the affluent culture.
Eliminating the titles is not an indication the magazines are not sellable, profitable, or desirable for other stores. It is merely keeping within Sam Walton's established culture of narrow product offerings. By limiting the number of products within any individual category or target group, Wal-Mart is able to keep their UPC catalog smaller to improve cash register efficiency. In the case of merchandise that flows through the distribution centers, narrowing the product mix allows them to handle fewer products and higher quantities which reduces handling and carrying costs.
Wal-Mart’s weaknesses
Smart local storeowners know they can compete very effectively with Wal-Mart through wider product offerings, unique local products, and enhanced customer service. These are Wal-Mart's three weaknesses, which the giant corporation is willing to risk as none of the three can be profitably overcome without sacrificing even more profitable areas of their operation.
Labels: Business, Economic, gender
¶ 1/22/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Friday, December 28, 2007
Defining moment: Benazir Bhutto's assassination
Pakistanis throughout the world are mourning the death of Benizar Bhutto, former Prime Minister and candidate vying to return to the office in January's election. This event will have a long-lasting impact in at least three different cultural areas:
Ethnic Culture: The death of a leader can be a defining moment for a culture, and the leader's assassination is always a culturally defining moment. It will impact the Pakistani culture for many years to come. It is likely that those seeking political office in the country will adopt campaign strategies to prevent a similar assassination.
Gender Culture: Bhutto also stood as a role model for many women. She broke a cultural barrier in 1988 when she became the first woman to be democratically elected to lead a modern Muslim country. This immediately made her a role model for an entire generation of women in Pakistan as well as other nations. She gave them dreams and hopes that they could make a lasting impression on history.
Political Culture: As with many significant social events, political cultures are changed by assassinations. The extreme ends of political factions will be intent on lying blame for Bhutto's death. We've seen this historically following the death of Egypt’s Anwar Sadat, Argentina’s Pedro Aramburu, and Abdul-Khalim Sadulayev of Chechnya. In the United States, the assassination of John F. Kennedy is still being debated.
Looking at the impact of Bhutto’s assassination further exemplifies the position of MBC Global that every individual is part of many cultures and global events affect multiple cultures.
Pakistanis throughout the world are mourning the death of Benizar Bhutto, former Prime Minister and candidate vying to return to the office in January's election. This event will have a long-lasting impact in at least three different cultural areas:Ethnic Culture: The death of a leader can be a defining moment for a culture, and the leader's assassination is always a culturally defining moment. It will impact the Pakistani culture for many years to come. It is likely that those seeking political office in the country will adopt campaign strategies to prevent a similar assassination.
Gender Culture: Bhutto also stood as a role model for many women. She broke a cultural barrier in 1988 when she became the first woman to be democratically elected to lead a modern Muslim country. This immediately made her a role model for an entire generation of women in Pakistan as well as other nations. She gave them dreams and hopes that they could make a lasting impression on history.
Political Culture: As with many significant social events, political cultures are changed by assassinations. The extreme ends of political factions will be intent on lying blame for Bhutto's death. We've seen this historically following the death of Egypt’s Anwar Sadat, Argentina’s Pedro Aramburu, and Abdul-Khalim Sadulayev of Chechnya. In the United States, the assassination of John F. Kennedy is still being debated.
Looking at the impact of Bhutto’s assassination further exemplifies the position of MBC Global that every individual is part of many cultures and global events affect multiple cultures.
Labels: Ethnicity, gender, Regional
¶ 12/28/2007 0 Comments Links to this post
