Do women need to possess 'masculine characteristics' to be taken seriously?

According to the Bem Sex Role Inventory, ambition, confidence, and the ability to stand up for oneself are largely considered masculine qualities. So either we call women like that "masculine" or agree that those traits are gender-neutral. However, it is possible to add traditionally feminine characteristics to your business. In fact, these characteristics — compassion, fairness, etc. — have actually been better for many businesses than total masculinity has.

Well, sooner or later you'll find out that human sexuality is not as black and white as you may think. While there are hundreds of different sexualities in the human race, your question is like asking why do humans eat Chocolate if they could just simply is sugar? Well you know it's just different , we don't just say I want a Feminine or masculine personality, besides many of the characteristics You may perceive as Feminine or masculine are just made up and change from culture to culture. I know humans have built a sort of santicity around sexuality, and that is why we are so upset when something breaks the norm, but as most things in this world, you will have to learn to live with it.

Always act like a woman, become the essence of a woman, and you know something Moral Authority hit it, the proverbial nail, on the head when he said that women need to be more assertive, competitive and confidant. He's right; when you're the true, the one before all of this feminism crap, you are not obligated to agree with me, essence of a woman you are all of those things. Now you take those three traits and you roll them into one; you've got it made. You do that you won't break the glass ceiling you'll make it stronger so that it will never be broken. Here's the thing you act like a man a man will never take you seriously as woman.

Oh, those masculine/feminine characteristics. They get us in such trouble. ALL of those characteristics are social ascriptions, not genetic qualities. So...do we want women to take on those things considered masculine (what are they?) or stay their own feminine selves (what does that mean?)? In my experience, role models for women seeking positions of power are men, so women naturally mimic their behaviours. Women holding positions of power often have no choice but to "be like men"--you know, stand while peeing, scratch themselves, belch, and just generally be condescending and rude. That is not to say that all men are like that, but men in positions of power are brutal to those under them--male and female. Thus, women who get into these positions do become absolute b-tches. I've worked with enough of them to know that I'd rather have a male than a female boss. And I am a feminist. However, it won't always be that way. Once women infiltrate all those invisible ceilings, they will feel more comfortable and will not try to emulate the horrible role models they've had to model themselves after. I don't think there are inherent feminine characteristics or masculine characterisitcs...there is only socialization (based on the biological definitions of male/female). It's the way we socialize our children that determines who and what they are, and if we keep telling our girls to be passive, they will be. We have to ensure that our children believe they can reach whatever goals they set for themselves and that no one of any gender is going to get in their way. We have to fight negative stereotypes about both genders, and we have to get beyond negative thinking about each other. Constant bashing of one over the other is counter-productive--albeit necessary in some places like Y!Answers.

Every woman meets several role models during her career. They are rarely in the showier professions because those are jammed with males and women are rarely admitted, (ie traders in banks, top barristers). But there are authoritative women earning (as opposed to 'being paid') high salaries where an equivalent male is unobtainable. These are often in specialist positions - diplomatic or educational establishments and their style is quite unlike a man's but it commands respect - even love. Men also know about these women and are impressed and happy to work for them. In their presence, the matriarchy does not seem so long ago.

No and never.

I have observed women in authority in fact one of my ex bosses and these ladies were never ashamed of their feminity.

She was direct when required but she was also soft and emotional if someone approached her with a problem or she had committed a mistake.

You have to understand being a woman doesent mean you cant be strong even if you speak,talk in a different manner.

Are expressive with emotuions and try to connect to people.

A woman's essence is her great blend of strength and resilience with vulnerability.

>Can 'feminine' girls retain this 'feminine' aspect and still break the glass ceiling?>

yes. by means of attitude.

A woman does not have to be a man nor even act like one to be taken seriously, they simply need to do what men have done and stop complaining about every little thing, passing laws to protect and serve only women and above all, stop demonizing men.

There is no glass ceiling for women; they are limited only by their own limitations and lack of ambition.

If You Act Like A Man We'll Call You 'Butch'

not to me they don't. so don't go changing to a man what ever you do.