Successful women ditch male models

By Jack Kerley 

Move over men, "the future is female." A slogan that has been brandished and adopted by feminists and other self-empowered women over the last few years, and, honestly, it’s starting to look that way. Women are the majority, in population. In all levels of tertiary education, they’re generally the ones teaching our youth. On top of that, they are the ones that give birth to the human race. So why are women not paid the same as men?  

I resent this topic, truly resent it. But let me say one thing. The gender wage gap IS a thing but it’s not due to the reasons most people claim. It is due to many, many extremely unique circumstances. These include women working 3-4 fewer hours a week than men, the types of jobs women look for, and how often men and women ask for raises. 

With that out of the way, I want to put forward an idea that may be contentious but it’s something that I genuinely believe. If women want to truly succeed, they need to stop basing their success on male success.  

Success, as viewed through the corporate structure, is toxic, stressful and ultimately bad for everyone involved. Male success that’s being used as the benchmark isn’t success – it’s just money, terrible hours and a 4:1 suicide rate – money isn’t everything. 

Ruth Whippman brings up a terrific point in her piece on the gig economy which is that the constant pursuit of money isn’t healthy for our mental state and this has proven time and time again to be the case.  

So, what should female success be? I’m suggesting that we don’t know what it is yet – in reality women have only been in the traditional workforce just over 100 years but I can tell you what is impeding women figuring it out: the constant barrage from feminists telling other women that they’re weak, that they need equity to boost them to where they should be, affirmative action policies for quotas and so on. This is what Whippman asserts in her other piece published in the New York Times. 

She writes that instead of women stepping up and making something of themselves, men should step back and open up a path for them. Almost like by virtue of them being women, men owe them something.  

Women aren’t weak. In fact, they’re far from it and the unhealthy mindset that has been produced by modern feminism, a mindset of helplessness. It’s a gigantic hindrance to women figuring out their own avenues of success and that’s where the gig economy comes into play. 

The gig economy is a perfect alternative to chasing male success. What better way than to become your own boss? Throw away the pantsuit, throw away the 9-to-5. Earn money while following your dreams, the opportunities are endless with the way the gig economy is taking over not only America but the world.  

Yes, the work doesn’t offer protections but it offers absolute flexibility; women have always been the pioneers of this style of work. I’m Australian and growing up in Melbourne I saw a lot of Australian mothers, including mine, sell Avon all the way through to Tupperware – This was extremely common through the '90’s and even earlier in the U.S. and I believe a perfect way for women who have decided to take on the housewife role to still maintain autonomy. 

The accommodations the modern world makes for the modern woman exceeds that of any time before in recorded history. Women have never been more prosperous than right now. Technology has enhanced the gig economy away from the traditional delivery-based jobs or taxi services to include the ability to essentially sell yourself through social media and make some insane money from it, too -- if that’s your thing. Some women are incredibly successful at this and, yes, it is success.  

Gig economies have their disadvantages but as far as I see, for women in 2019, it’s their easiest and most attainable avenue for forging their own success in a world trying to tell you that you’re weak.  

Understandably, the casual work style is not for everyone, but for those who it works for, let your hair down and do what you want to. The world is yours for the taking; money shouldn’t be the goal nor should trying to keep up with men. Comparing yourselves to others is a surefire route to depression, self-doubt and anger instead of success. It doesn’t matter what others are doing as long as what you’re doing is what you want to do.