Women
are gradually taking over the workplace. The economic empowerment of
women across the rich world is one of the most remarkable
revolutions of the past 50 years but dealing with its social conse-
quences will be one of the great challenges of the next 50. So says The
Economist of Jan.2, 2010 in its cover story What happens when
women are over half the workforce, including the wrong
assignment of Rosie the Riveter (see the rollover image).
But
- and you knew there would be a "but" - the main reason I’m
bringing forward this issue of The Economist is not the
sociology of womenomics, it is a very good story on the behalf of
the women insisting on being judged by the same standards as men.
Yes, and biting them by the same standards. Now the story:
Margaret
Thatcher made no secret of her contempt for the wimpish men around
her. There is a joke about her going out to dinner with her cabinet.
"Steak
or fish?" asks the waiter.
"Steak,
of course", she replies.
"And
for the vegetables?"
"They’ll
have steak as well."