This archive report was first published on 18 December 2019.
December 18, 2019
By PAULINE ONGAJI
A friend's Facebook post recently caught my attention, featuring a meme that read, 'Men are not intimidated by strong women, but far too many women believe being aggressive, rude, and generally unpleasant makes them strong.'
While the statement may seem harsh, it holds some truth. There are women who confuse being strong with being annoying, argumentative, and loud, thinking these traits make them powerful.
However, there's a significant difference between being a strong woman and being an unpleasant, arrogant, argumentative fool.
Some women equate financial stability with the ability to demean and belittle others, especially men who may be less fortunate. They think being strong means being unapproachable and resenting any advances from men.
Others believe being strong is about having a toxic attitude, always thinking they're right and everyone else is wrong. They have a sense of self-assurance that they're above everyone socially and intellectually.
But being strong doesn't mean being snobbish or degrading others. It's not about equating poverty with laziness or lowering one's standards.
What defines a strong woman is a matter of debate, but it's clear that the attributes mentioned above don't contribute to strength. In fact, they may be the reason why some women prefer being called 'weak.'
It's essential to teach our girls that being strong means being confident, principled, and respectful, not arrogant, argumentative, or insulting. By being calm and rational, we can be strong, firm, and principled women, respected by both men and women.
