Taking charge: while boys are called leaders strong girls are 'bossy'

Suzanne Harrington asks should we really ban terms like ‘bossy’ and ‘domineering’?

BOSSY — it’s not a compliment. The dictionary says it means “overbearing”, “domineering”, and “given to ordering people around”. These words are rarely applied to men and boys.

‘Overbearing’ and ‘domineering’ seem to be reserved for adult women, while bossy is for girls. When a boy takes charge, he is praised for his leadership skills, but when a girl takes charge, she is called bossy. Sounds familiar? Of course it is. It is so ingrained we hardly notice it.