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Why do women judge other women?
Gloria Steinem said women should have it all. Because we really can't have it all, women
hate others who seem to be living closer to the impossible ideal.
In reality, they just don't see the problems that other person has.
Girls nitpick each other over little things in the tween and teen years, from pimples
to pounds. This causes many girls to hate other women.
It's like when boys bully each other. Give me your lunch money or I'll hit you.
In some ways, it is worse. The psychological torment, and verbal bullying can take place
over lunch, or in class, whereas physical bullying is impossible in front of adults
and more severely disciplined.
I’d take a literal beating over an endless one any day – but not every day.
Women judge other women by impossible standards because they hold themselves to those same
standards.
Like the model of the perfect woman who is a great mother, perfect hostess, high grade
volunteer, cooks, cleans and excels in her career.
What about women hating other women because they are competing over men?
Some women hate other women because they are afraid she's going to take away her romantic
partner.
This is especially true when the other woman shows cleavage or flirts with guys to build
up her own self-esteem, regardless of the anxiety it causes the man's partner.
I don't think that's what the self-esteem movement was supposed to create. It's more
about giving a rack of participation ribbons for everyone.
Then there is competition in the workplace, not just against men but against other women.
In some ways, feminism made it harder. Not only is she supposed to be a good wife and
mother, now she has to succeed in the workplace.
Not just professional but attractive, too. Not just healthy, but fit or sexy, so she
can wow men she wants to impress with the idea that she is their superior.
You can't have it all, but you can hate someone who does a better job of pretending she does.
It's a little silly to judge other women harshly, so you can feel better about yourself.