Gettyimages.com/Mixed race man with a headache
Have you ever noticed that men take career setbacks much harder than women do? I know a lot of ambitious, hard-working, impressive and successful women who, of course, suffer setbacks and disappointments. But I’ve noticed that they bounce back from those much quicker than the men in my life do. I don’t mean that women necessarily fix those setbacks in tangible ways but, rather, they don’t let the negative emotions associated with them overpower them. I have male friends who, when they have a career setback, that creates a cloud that covers every area of their life for months. When asked, “How are you” they can only answer that question based on how they’re doing since the career problem. It defines them. It dictates their mood daily and hourly. That’s actually one area where women are better at compartmentalizing. Here is why men take career setbacks so much harder than women.
Gettyimages.com/Senior man working on personal finances, wife in background
Their parents are tougher on them
Men’s parents tend to put more pressure on them to do well in their careers. That’s just societal expectations perpetuating themselves. I’ve noticed that my male friend’s—their parents worry more about how their careers are going than my female friends’ parents do. I don’t say care more—I say worry more. Which is quite impactful.
