Let's Move the Lean In Debate Forward

[redqueen]

A lot of very eloquent things have been said and written in the mainstream press and within feminist forums both critiquing and defending Sheryl Sandberg's important new book, Lean In. It's not my intention to rehash those points, but rather to expound upon why I think this particular book, from this particular author, at this particular moment in time, has inspired such passionate opinions on both sides. Further, I am more interested in how we can move forward as a community towards real equality, positively and with purpose.

The most obvious reason for the buzz, of course, is that Sandberg has tapped into a very real frustration amongst American women: the inability to grasp the equality which has felt within reach for years, the equality we have been told is ours for the taking. But of course, we quickly learn that in the real world, we're not quite there -- it lies just beyond our grasp, visible through the glass ceiling above us. And, on the occasion when someone like Sandberg achieves success in this inherently imbalanced system, we are excited to hear from her and learn from her. How did she do it? Can I do it, too? In Lean In, she certainly gives some courageous advice as to how we might join her at the peak of the mountain.

So, why does Sandberg's message frustrate so many and inspire others? Perhaps some feel that they don't have the means or opportunities to implement this advice, given their financial situations and responsibilities of caring for young children or aging parents and relatives -- some of our most vulnerable citizens. Perhaps they are in such survival mode or in such sexist industries that they can't even fathom next steps.

Here is the crux: Why lean into a system that is fundamentally broken? By pushing ourselves to succeed within this patriarchal world that has been created without our participation, aren't we upholding its pillars of inequality? Truth is, many feel as if we should rush in and bring the whole place down instead -- rebuild it from the ground up as something more equitable, more collaborative, less hierarchical and more "win-win" oriented. Perhaps some of us are more interested in creating businesses with more "feminine" attributes like caring for the planet, our nations' health and well-being and educating our nations' youth. Perhaps we see less value in amassing extreme power and wealth, and more in leaving our world in a better place than where we found it.

...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-siebel-newsom/lean-in_b_3000082.html

I love this woman!

[Aerows]

1. I'll have to check out the book

and read it. Thanks for the recommendation.

ETA: Seems like exactly what I need to read. Thank you, because we do need to lean in.

[redqueen]

2. I haven't read it, but have found the many discussions about it fascinating.

I love the way Jennifer Siebel-Newsom breaks down some of the issues that so many have with it. I found her take on the strong responses so insightful and I so agree with her about the need to create other models in addition to succeeding in this one.

[Aerows]

3. I'll be sure to share my thoughts after I've gotten it

and read it

[ismnotwasm]

4. I've been reading the back and forth debates

I've found something to agree with on many areas of the debate.

I think my bottom line question is this; say a woman DOES get authority (power) over a patriarchal system? Then what? I know the book-- which I haven't read --is described as elitist or a book for the entitled, I know it has advice for women and it appears to exclude large segments.

But back to my question, as we move into positions of authority and power, little by little, I think it's a good thing to listen, at least to those who have gone before us. "Lean in" is on my reading list.

(I'm an very fast reader and I'm STILL working on Gravity's Rainbow)


Nice article!