Kuel Life
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Community
    • Business Directory
    • Exclusive Member Content
    • Kuel Conversations
    • Share Your Story
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty & Fashion
    • Relationships
    • Home
    • Money
    • Work
    • Travel & Adventure
  • Wellness
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Nutrition
    • Mindfulness
  • Jack’s Smack
  • Membership
  • eShop
    • Books
    • Kuel Swag
    • Services
    • Products
  • Contact Us
  • Community
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Community
    • Business Directory
    • Exclusive Member Content
    • Kuel Conversations
    • Share Your Story
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty & Fashion
    • Relationships
    • Home
    • Money
    • Work
    • Travel & Adventure
  • Wellness
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Nutrition
    • Mindfulness
  • Jack’s Smack
  • Membership
  • eShop
    • Books
    • Kuel Swag
    • Services
    • Products
  • Contact Us
  • Community
No Result
View All Result
Kuel Life
No Result
View All Result
Home Jack's Smack

Ambitious, Individualistic, Competitive: Redefining The Dirty Words

Ambitious, Individualistic, Competitive: Redefining The Dirty Words

Enlight38

“At the 2015 Glamour Women of the Year Awards, Reese Witherspoon proclaimed, “I believe ‘ambition’ is not a dirty word.” Her powerful speech went viral, and it became, as Oprah puts it, “a call to arms for women in all walks of life.” “We need to start talking about and reframing this word, ‘ambition,’ because it isn’t about being selfish. It isn’t about being self-serving,” Reese says. “An ambitious woman is not a terrifying thing.” –Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations

There’s a famous psychological measure of femininity, masculinity and androgyny known as the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI).

This test lists masculine, feminine, and neutral traits – 20 of each. Subjects use these traits to rate themselves. Stanford University students, in the ’70s, were asked to rank the desirability of these traits for women in American society. The winners:? yielding; loyal; cheerful; compassionate; shy; sympathetic; affectionate; sensitive to the needs of others; flatter-able; understanding; eager to soothe hurt feelings; soft-spoken; warm; tender; gullible; childlike; does not use harsh language; loves children; gentle, and (somewhat redundantly) femininity.

Did anyone else just feel a little queasy and maybe a little guilty? I know I did. All of the descriptors are tied to a relationship to someone else, in addition to, providing another person with support – of some kind.

Different Words Mean Different Things For Men And Women:

By contrast, men were described as: self-reliant; strong personality; forceful; independent; analytical; defends one’s beliefs; athletic; assertive; has leadership abilities; willing to take risks; makes decisions easily; self-sufficient; dominant; willing to take a stand; aggressive; acts as a leader; individualistic; competitive; ambitious.

The actual word ‘individualistic’ shows up. I know this study was conducted a long, long time ago. And, I know many, many women who embody and exude 1970-male characteristics today. This is a fantastic improvement; however, most women I know have just ‘added’ the male traits to their list as opposed to ‘replacing’ them. We still identify as nurturers.

As recent as 2004, psychiatrist Anna Fels interviewed a number of women for her book Necessary Dreams: Ambition in Women’s Changing Lives. She found that none of the women interviewed would admit to being ambitious. The word ‘ambition’ was described as selfishness and manipulation. Thirty-four years later and not much improvement seemingly had been made.

Ambition, for many of us, is ‘dressed-up’ in the 70s cloak of serving others. We qualify our ambitions, hiding our true intent. Phrases such as; “I’ve been lucky; or It’s about my customers or clients, it’s not about me.” are at the ready when we talk about what we’re pursuing.

Ambition Is Not A Dirty Word:

Our younger sisters are facing some bigger trade-offs. As the Reese Witherspoons and Mindy Kalings (both under 45), of the world, espouse the virtues of admitting ambition and pursuing dreams; men are being forced to play ‘catch-up’. In some cases, men are still struggling with women who bring home bigger paychecks or are crushing it at work. Some younger women fear that there may be a ‘trade-off ‘to make: man or ambition. As we age, we realize that taming ambition may land you a man, but if you suppress your own big vision for accomplishment, there’s a strong chance you won’t be satisfied for long.

Personally, I have never been more comfortable vocalizing my ambition than after turning 50. Having the conversation bubble up in the media; helping to reframe words like ambition, competitiveness, and individualism – well, that’s icing on the cake for me.

Did you enjoy this article? Become a Kuel Life Member today to support our ad-free Community. Sign-up for our Sunday newsletter and get your expert content delivered straight to your inbox.

Related Posts

Navigating Grief In Midlife: Kathy Mela’s Compassionate Guide For Women Over 50
Work

Navigating Grief In Midlife: Kathy Mela’s Compassionate Guide For Women Over 50

July 9, 2025
The Surprising Value Of Saying Yes To Networking Events For Women Over 50
Work

The Surprising Value Of Saying Yes To Networking Events For Women Over 50

July 9, 2025
Discover What The Best SEO Companies Look For In An SEO Audit
Work

Discover What The Best SEO Companies Look For In An SEO Audit

July 9, 2025
Next Post
Children’s Book Author & Illustrator: My Surprise Calling – Lisa, 53

Children’s Book Author & Illustrator: My Surprise Calling – Lisa, 53

En garde, Engage, Lunge, &  Parry – Barbara, 53

En garde, Engage, Lunge, & Parry - Barbara, 53

Fuzzy Hindsight

Fuzzy Hindsight

Recommended

Best Makeup For Mature Skin 2025: Which Award Winners Actually Deliver

Best Makeup For Mature Skin 2025: Which Award Winners Actually Deliver

1 week ago
Ditching Perfection After 50: The Bold Power Of Being Unfiltered

Ditching Perfection After 50: The Bold Power Of Being Unfiltered

4 weeks ago
How To Wear Prints During Menopause Without Looking Bigger: 5 Proven Styling Tricks To Look Slimmer

How To Wear Prints During Menopause Without Looking Bigger: 5 Proven Styling Tricks To Look Slimmer

2 weeks ago
Finding Home After 50: How Querencia Can Help You Return To Yourself

Finding Home After 50: How Querencia Can Help You Return To Yourself

3 weeks ago

Don't miss it

  • All
  • Jack's Smack
How To Wear Bold Colors And Prints Over 50: Your Guide To Standing Out In Style
Beauty & Fashion

How To Wear Bold Colors And Prints Over 50: Your Guide To Standing Out In Style

July 11, 2025
How To Prepare For A High-Conflict Divorce: A Survival Guide For Women Over 50
Relationships

How To Prepare For A High-Conflict Divorce: A Survival Guide For Women Over 50

July 10, 2025
5 Smart Reasons To Choose Saliva Hormone Testing For Women
Health

5 Smart Reasons To Choose Saliva Hormone Testing For Women

July 9, 2025
The Beginner’s Guide To Smart Money Management
Money

The Beginner’s Guide To Smart Money Management

July 9, 2025
How To Find Balance In Midlife: 4 Powerful Strategies For A Healthier, Happier Life
Mindfulness

How To Find Balance In Midlife: 4 Powerful Strategies For A Healthier, Happier Life

July 9, 2025
Navigating Grief In Midlife: Kathy Mela’s Compassionate Guide For Women Over 50
Work

Navigating Grief In Midlife: Kathy Mela’s Compassionate Guide For Women Over 50

July 9, 2025

Purchase with a Purpose

  • Kindra Kindra
  • Better Not Younger – Better Hair Ahead Better Not Younger - Better Hair Ahead
  • Metamorphosis in Stanzas Metamorphosis in Stanzas $2.99 – $12.99
  • VitaJuwel – Healthy Water VitaJuwel - Healthy Water
whatsapp image 2024 05 17 at 21.38.19 933b48c6

Kuel Life is committed to normalizing aging for women. With more than 65 KL Thought Leaders, we bring you the latest, most relevant, HOT TOPICS to address the opportunities and challenges for women 50+.

LEARN MORE »

COMPANY INFO
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Press
  • Contact Us
PURCHASE INFO
  • FAQs
  • Payment Methods
  • Shipping & Delivery
  • Refunds & Returns Policy
  • Membership
LATEST NEWS

How To Wear Bold Colors And Prints Over 50: Your Guide To Standing Out In Style

July 11, 2025

How To Prepare For A High-Conflict Divorce: A Survival Guide For Women Over 50

July 10, 2025

5 Smart Reasons To Choose Saliva Hormone Testing For Women

July 9, 2025

The Beginner’s Guide To Smart Money Management

July 9, 2025

Sunday RoundUP Signup Here…

Be part of the movement to normalize aging. Get all your HOT TOPICS delivered directly to you.

 

CopyRight© 2017-2025 | Kuel Life | Created By Kuel Life Developers Team.

 

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Cleantalk Pixel

Add New Playlist

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
    Continue Shopping
    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Community
      • Business Directory
      • Exclusive Member Content
      • Kuel Conversations
      • Share Your Story
    • lifestyle
      • Beauty & Fashion
      • Relationships
      • Home
      • Money
      • Work
      • Travel & Adventure
    • Wellness
      • Health
      • Fitness
      • Nutrition
      • Mindfulness
    • Jack’s Smack
    • Membership
    • eShop
      • Books
      • Kuel Swag
      • Services
      • Products
    • Contact Us
    • Sign In/ Sign Up

    CopyRight© 2017-2025 | Kuel Life | Created By Kuel Life Developers Team.