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.

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Essay

Score

Women's Strength as a Threat to Men.

By Favour Adeoye

March 11, 2026 · 435 words · 3 min read

For centuries, societies have promoted the belief that men must be the providers and leaders while women should submit and obey without questioning. Because of this mentality, many women became dependent, and men got used to this arrangement. As a result, some men struggle to accept successful and powerful women who challenge the traditional expectations of masculinity. For example, in politics, women are often insulted and discouraged when they attempt to attain leadership positions. A typical example in Nigeria occurred when news circulated that a woman might emerge as the first female president. Many responses from men were condescending, stating that the country would worsen if such a situation occurred. Women are also frequently underestimated in other sectors, including the academic sphere. Leadership positions such as student association presidents, church leaders, and departmental presidents are often dominated by men, which is neither fair nor logical. When women manage to attain these leadership positions, some men feel uncomfortable or challenged because it makes them feel less masculine. This situation often encourages men to maintain dominance in many spheres in order to protect their sense of superiority and masculinity. Over the years, men have been dominant and powerful, taking the lead in many areas of life. When women began rising to leadership positions in these same areas, some men started to feel less powerful, less respected, and less masculine, which created feelings of intimidation and insecurity. In many societies, men are taught to be stronger, more successful, and more dominant than women. These expectations constantly create pressure for the average man, making him feel the need to prove his masculinity and worth by always taking the lead. When a woman achieves significant success, some men may feel that they have failed to meet these societal expectations. History has also shown that men are sometimes intimidated by women’s strength, independence, and influence. For instance, prominent Nigerian figures such as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala faced criticism and opposition because of their achievements and the positions they held. Their successes demonstrated that women are capable of thriving in spaces that were initially dominated by men. Although the world is evolving and social attitudes are gradually changing, history still influences how many men perceive strong and independent women. Traditional beliefs about masculinity continue to shape these reactions in many societies. These factors have caused, and still cause, some men to feel threatened or insecure when confronted with female success and independence. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that men often experience feelings of intimidation when faced with strong women, particularly in societies where traditional ideas of masculinity remain deeply rooted.