“My boss, the bitch” (A3, 26/2) is a very disturbing story that demands urgent redress. But may I suggest that while some women may be emulating male patterns of behaviour in the workplace. These women need to understand that male bullies aren’t strong or secure. On the contrary, bullying and overtly aggressive behaviour is a pathology perpetrated by weak, insecure and immature people who revel in putting other people down in order to keep themselves up.
Too often, they have low self-esteem, no self-respect and are simply chasing their own self-aggrandisement. As a society, we need to reward genuine strength and respect that is based on a sense of personal confidence and maturity; not controlling cruelty that is satisfied by exploiting others. And we need to examine what “supposed” strength is based on-sensible and reasonable self-belief, or the humiliation of those perceived as weak.
Bullying-male or female- is a huge social problem, and women need to stand up for themselves with strength based on self-respect and healthy self-esteem, not sadism.