It seems like everyone wants to talk about women and confidence lately. From “The Confidence Gap,” by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman:
…there is a particular crisis for women—a vast confidence gap that separates the sexes. Compared with men, women don’t consider themselves as ready for promotions, they predict they’ll do worse on tests, and they generally underestimate their abilities. This disparity stems from factors ranging from upbringing to biology.
The article and Kay and Shipman’s book are not without their critics. And in my opinion, their solution is even worse. As reported by Jessica Valenti: “telling women to meditate, ‘be grateful,’ sit up straight, and get good sleep.”
I know gratitude is really trendy, but I’m not on board—feeling grateful is a nice strategy when you can’t change your situation. If you live in a totalitarian society or have a terminal illness, being grateful for what you have is the best you can do. If you have the ability to change your life, instead try cultivating a flame of righteous fury.
Find out Jen’s strategies for confidence on The Muse.
