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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Strength or Threat? Balancing the Perspective on Successful Women.

By Oyinloye John

March 15, 2026 · 799 words · 4 min read

Imagine a boardroom where a newly elected female director confidently leads a discussion, presenting innovative ideas and strategies that could shape the future of the organization. While some colleagues respect her competence, a majority of others, mostly men, feel uncomfortable and indirectly question her authority, seeking faults in her decisions. This reaction, though not justified, is often a result of longstanding societal norms where women are seen as threats to leadership positions.This perception can be linked to research conducted by the World Economic Forum, which shows that women constitute about forty-one percent of the global workforce but occupy only about twenty-eight percent of leadership roles worldwide. This disparity does not exist because women lack competence, but rather because many believe that the “average man” will feel intimidated by the presence of a strong and successful woman.Furthermore, the belief that an average man, regardless of his background and status, will always feel intimidated by a successful woman is deeply rooted in societal norms and traditionally accepted gender roles. The French philosopher, Simone de Beauvoir wrote in her book 'The Second Sex' that, “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” By this, she meant that although a person may be born biologically female, she becomes socially recognized as a woman through upbringing and cultural conditioning, which assigns specific expectations, responsibilities, and sometimes limitations to womanhood.Over time, both men and women have been conditioned into particular gender roles through cultural conventions. Masculinity has often been associated with power, authority, and dominance, while women have traditionally been expected to depend on men and look up to them as providers. Consequently, when a woman becomes economically independent or occupies a position of authority, it challenges these long-standing expectations. To some men, this shift will appear intimidating because it disrupts the traditional social order that has existed for generations.Hence, this perception is further reinforced by the structural arrangement of many families. In numerous households, the man is expected to bear the primary responsibility of providing financially, while the woman manages the welfare of the home—cooking, maintaining the household, and caring for family members. Even in situations where both partners work, the woman’s employment is sometimes viewed merely as supplementary income meant to ease the burden on the man. In such contexts, debates about whose salary should be higher often favor the man, because societal norms still expect men to be the primary earners. As a result, some men feel uneasy when their wives earn more than they do, as it challenges the traditional expectations placed upon them.In addition, looking deeper into the issue from a psychological perspective, one of the reasons some men feel intimidated by strong and successful women is the pressure placed upon them by society to constantly prove their masculinity. Popular phrases and street morales are commonly used to remind men of the expectations placed upon them to dominate, provide, and maintain control. Over time, this pressure becomes a cankerworm eating deep into the minds of many men. Rather than fostering confidence, it can create psychological vulnerability, as men fear the possibility of losing the authority that society has conditioned them to uphold. Consequently, when confronted with a successful and independent woman, some men struggle internally and tend to react with discomfort or intimidation.However, contrary to the claim that the average man is always intimidated by a successful woman, global research presents a different perspective. A study conducted by Ipsos in collaboration with the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership revealed that sixty-one percent of men worldwide believe gender equality cannot be achieved unless men actively support women’s rights. This clearly shows that a reasonable amount of men do not perceive successful women as threats but as partners in building a more balanced society.As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “A woman is like a tea bag—you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” Many men recognize and appreciate this strength, understanding that the success of women does not diminish the value of men. Instead, it contributes to a more inclusive and progressive society.In conclusion, just as women should not be reduced to traditional stereotypes or marginalized within society, men should also not be universally portrayed as insecure in the presence of female strength. A sense of fairness and balance is necessary, where the rise of strong and independent women is seen not as a threat but as progress. Such a perspective will foster a more confident and cooperative society in which both genders are respected and valued beyond rigid traditional roles.An African proverb wisely states, “Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” Until society learns to move beyond one-sided narratives and embrace the contributions of both men and women equally, we will continue to uphold standards that appear acceptable but remain unbalanced.