FC NOW: The Fast Company Weblog
August 26, 2005
Games Business Women May Have Played
Not long ago, a friend of mine came across a board game that might partially explain gender roles in the workplace. What Shall I Be?, the "exciting game of career girls," dates from 1966 and inspires the question: Did this game truly encourage and inspire young women to go into business and become professionals? Or does it merely parrot the same old stereotypes and career options? What might have been considered progressive at the time still feels faintly dangerous in its limitations. Fascinating.
Posted by Heath Row at August 26, 2005 4:38 PM | Category: women in business |
6 Comments
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One step at a time...back in the day, that WAS progressive. I remember leading a session talking about the games we played as girls, and it broke out roughly by generation: one group played "house," the next younger group played "school" or "store," and the next youngest - my group - played "office".
One woman shared that one day her eight-year-old daughter changed into her weekend clothes right after school, and moved her desk to do her homework. When her mom asked what she was doing, shs said "I'm playing home office" and explained her desk needed to be moved so that she could see when the school bus dropped her kids off.
She also informed her mother that she was very, very wealthy, and when the kids were old enough, she'd stop work and focus on her writing career.
I wonder how many men are going to pony up some honest-to-God reactions to this kick-off post-question?
Not to date myself, but I remember playing this game. Except we drew all over the pictures and made the nurse into a veterinarian, the ballet dancer into a cowgirl, and the stewardess into an astronaut, etc., because what it depicted wasn't anything my best friend and I wanted to be. We changed the rules when we didn't like the options presented--it was the '60s, after all!
I think games are only as limiting as a kid's imagination and critical thinking abilities. As long as those are nurtured and encouraged, even young kids can understand that the world is what you make of it, not what you see on the surface.
My friends and I spent most of our playtime making up our own worlds, where we were the heros, not playing games by the rules. I think this helped us enormously in being able to deconstruct what society was telling us girls should do and be.
While we'll probably always have some sort of gender stereotype to deal with, I think that as long as girls (and boys--they had their own version of this game) are actively encouraged to think about what they see and experience, not just swallow it whole, and imagine all the different ways their skills and talents can be used in the workplace, we'll continue to expand our horizons.
im fairly young, however, for my 7th birthday, I finaly recieved the "My little Pony Perm Shop"
where I could wash cut and style my Little Ponies.
After about 10 bald ponies, later that year for xmas, I asked for the She-Ra action figure and play castle. When asked by my mother,what brought on the complete 180 of my toy repitore, she said I
simply stated: mom,I'm not good at making things
pretty,but i'm really good at taking things over,
defeating the bad guys"
It's still my mantra today
Depending on your upbringing, corporate business can be a place to stay out of.
Once upon a time the world was not as it is today.
Women, men, people did not lie in order to promote themselves.
It is now acceptable to do so if it is a part of the corporate system where you work.
If "fluff" will sheild your supervisor. It a white lie will help him or her promote, it is acceptable.
Illusions are just that usually a lie that covers itself with a justifying mask.
Had I lied, I could have risen to the top.
Women who were successful in business in the 70's & 80's played male games, pretending to accept the first 2 answers to important business decisions. Then they worked many more hours than their male partners to work out the details, the only way for their success. They seldom were rewarded, and often looked at, by other women, as bitches. Women are now working together – We still work longer hours than our male co-workers - We do what it takes, at work with our families, and friends, because it is natural for us to organize details, set goals for others, then ourselves – We are natural leaders.
Women are recognizing the contributions they can make in the work place - Powerful women are now admired my other women, yet still threatened by male boomers. Women are realizing how powerful we are when we collectively set goals and work together. The Y generation of men are the first to multi-task, and show women respect. We have come a long way since 1920 when we demanded the right to vote - I don't want boomer men to be scared of us, because we don't play the right wrong game, many of us are mother's and know true success is to empower our children and those around us!