So now a days many females refer to the “glass ceilings” in their life. But what really does the term mean? A feminist site describes that “The glass ceiling is a metaphor for the idea that women as a group are prevented by sexism and other gender-related factors from rising to the upper echelons of politics, science, business, you name it. It is not something that can be busted by the achievements of one single woman.” (http://www.feministing.com/archives/011125.html). When I looked at another site it referred the term to economics. “In economics, the term glass ceiling refers to situations where the advancement of a qualified person within the hierarchy of an organization is stopped at a lower level because of some form of discrimination, most commonly sexism or racism, but since the term was coined, “glass ceiling” has also come to describe the limited advancement of the deaf, blind, disabled, aged and sexual minorities.[1]It is an unofficial, invisible barrier that prevents women and minorities from advancing in businesses.” To me a glass ceiling doesn’t just need to be something that I can not do because I am a female but because I am afraid to do it…
I usually do not face my fears or make known what I am afraid of not achieving. I think that everyone is afraid of something even if they do not admit to it. I am most afraid of failing, whether it be at my job or with friends. It is the scariest thing for me to think about or come to terms with. And because I am so afraid to fail at these two things there are times when I do not interact accordingly because it is better to not do something then to do it and fail. (So I tend to think). My Fiancé is always encouraging me to go and talk to new people, I just get so nervous that I am not going to have anything in common with them or that they will reject me so I tend to not even attempt to meet new people. When I do meet new people though and after I reach that comfort level I can do almost anything, I am no longer afraid of what they are going to think of me. I am not so sure as to why I think that they will reject me but it is a fear that I am trying my hardest to overcome. When I meet with people for an interview of any sort I tend to get so consumed with nerves that I can’t think of what to say. I feel like I don’t know anything, even though I do know a lot! I mean c’mon I have my master’s degree and am in the pursuit to going to get my doctorate, so I know that I know stuff!!! I just get too wrapped up in wondering what is next and I fumble for words and then I know that I look bad. The weird thing is even though I am afraid to talk one on one with people if I have a speech prepared or if it is my students I have no problem talking… I know I just need a little more confidence because I am sure no one is truly judging me in that way, but it is the same reason why rob has a fear of heights… I mean nothing is going to happen to you when you are up high because usually you are secure but in your head you think it is bad.
I truly hope that before I turn 60 I can become a superintendent for schools. I do plan to get my doctorate in administrative education; I plan to become a principal first then a Superintendent. I know that in order to achieve this goal I need to feel more confident when talking/interviewing because I will not be asked to come back if I can not communicate my true thoughts or feelings at an interview because I am super nervous.
Hmmmm. Well I do have a few glass ceilings but I don’t think they are gender related like some sites suggest, but rather me related. Sometimes you are your biggest enemy/problem to overcome. Overtime and with help I know I can become Superintendent some day, I hope it will be sooner than later.
Oh yeah so there are so many little cartoons that kinda mock women and their glass ceilings so here is one of em… if you google it a whole bunch will show up.
