March Essay Competition

March 9 — March 22, 2026,

Prompt

The average man, regardless of creed, family background, religion, personal convictions, or social, economic, or marital status, will always feel threatened or intimidated by a successful, strong, independent woman.

Competition Home Page

Essay

Score

“Men Are Not Threatened by Success — They Fear Not Being Enough.”

By Abiodun Ogunseye

March 11, 2026 · 703 words · 4 min read

Good day Ladies and Gentlemen,Panel of Judges,Twocents and Admins. I stand firmly to oppose the motion which states that the average man, regardless of creed, background, religion, or status, will always feel threatened or intimidated by a successful, strong, independent woman. This claim is a broad generalization and does not accurately represent the reality of many relationships and marriages today. As we can clearly see in society, there are numerous successful women — entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders — who are married to men who support, love, and celebrate their achievements. Their success does not intimidate their partners; instead, it strengthens their union. From the beginning, many cultures and religious teachings emphasize the role of the man as the provider and head of the family. However, being the head of the home does not mean feeling threatened by a woman’s success. Rather, it means embracing responsibility, leadership, and partnership. Successful women themselves also differ in personality and approach. Some women, despite great wealth or achievements, remain humble, respectful, loyal, and supportive of their spouses. In such relationships, the man does not feel threatened; instead, both partners complement each other. Recently, during a marriage discussion at church, an interesting question was raised: “Should husbands and wives have equal rights in marriage?”The answer was both yes and no. No, because roles and responsibilities in marriage may differ. Many traditions recognize the man as the head of the household, responsible for leadership and provision. Yes, because mutual respect, understanding, and agreement between partners create balance in a healthy marriage. Equality in marriage often depends on communication and the agreements couples make together. Returning to the topic, when a man appears uncomfortable with a woman’s success, it is not necessarily intimidation. Often, it is the fear of not fulfilling his perceived responsibilities as a provider or leader in the home. This feeling is more about personal pressure and expectations, not fear of a successful woman. Furthermore, if a relationship lacks respect — for example, if a woman constantly insults or belittles her husband — the issue is not success but disrespect. In such cases, the man may strive harder to improve himself, not because he feels threatened, but because he wants to prove his capability and restore balance. An Emotional impact shows that a man does not fear a strong woman; there’s a silent pressure that comes with feeling like you’re not enough, many say men are threatened by strong, independent women. But what if what we call intimidation or threat is actually the quiet pressure of wanting to be enough?”“This is a perspective that is rarely spoken about, and I believe credit must also be given to men. In many cases, society has already judged the average man before he even begins. He is often painted as unsuccessful, and sometimes even labeled as undeserving or unworthy of a successful woman. So we must ask ourselves an honest question: where exactly have men gone wrong? Is it wrong for a man to desire a successful woman by his side? Is it wrong for him to hope for genuine, sincere, and beautiful love from a woman? What many people interpret as intimidation is often something deeper — the pressure placed on men by society to constantly prove that they are worthy, capable, and enough.” When people misunderstand this pressure, they often call it intimidation. In reality, many men are simply striving to live up to the responsibilities they believe they must fulfill as partners, husbands, and leaders of their families. Success in a relationship should never be seen as a competition between partners. Instead, it should be viewed as an avenue where both individuals grow, and build a reliable future together. Therefore, the claim that the average man will always feel threatened or intimidated by a successful woman is unfair. Men are not naturally threatened by strong women. In fact, many respect them, admire them, and proudly stand beside them. The issue thereof;  is how the woman carries the man. How high she upholds him; despite her success and her independence.   In conclusion, the idea that the average man will always feel threatened by a successful woman is inaccurate. Many men admire, support, and even feel proud of their partners’ success. Success in a relationship lies with both parties, irrespective of their pay-grades, societal values or their success therein. Thank you.