Despite being in the 21st century, the female gender continues to suffer from the roles and stereotypes of this gender. We are talking about imposed and assumed ideas about the characteristics, attitudes and aptitudes of both women and men and that unfortunately continue to be learned and internalized. since childhood.

Values ​​and behaviors of the society in which we operate that cause us to normalize aspects in which reflection has little room and that have not only closed or made it difficult to open many doors and opportunities for women for years, but also has reached negatively influence the behavior between women within the same gender feminine in order to criticize or not allow more achievements.

In fact, you may have heard a colleague mention that she feels much more comfortable working with men than with other women. It is precisely this thought that relationships with other women can be complicated and problematic, where the behavior related to queen bee syndrome comes from.

A syndrome far from other more well-known syndromes such as imposter woman syndrome or Hikikomori syndrome and which we talk to you about below.

Precisely one of the reasons why this queen bee syndrome has manifested itself to a greater extent in the workplace is directly related to the gender barrier that for years and unfortunately still today continues in some cases to reduce female possibilities. in some professional areas. A situation that makes it even easier for this competitiveness to increase and for behaviors like this to continue to be present.

What is queen bee syndrome?

The queen bee syndrome refers to the phenomenon by which women who occupy high positions within organizations They have a clear preference to surround themselves with men when it comes to working, thinking that, by default, other women are her rivals or people she must dominate.

A type of competitive and individualistic logic that does not have to be a mere reflection of the personality of the woman in question, since this treatment does not apply in the same way to the men with whom she works.

A type of behavior that, according to studies carried out by the Complutense University of Madrid, would be related to and encouraged from adolescence itself, in which it is encouraged more regularly. that rivalry between women in order to ‘not be like the others’ and make a difference. A behavior that ends up making them perceive the rest of their colleagues
as rivals and enemies and not as allies.

How can it be detected?

One of the first signs that we are experiencing what is classified as queen bee syndrome is when These ‘leaders’ prefer to work exclusive with men, even going so far as to relegate and not prefer female companions. The reason for this is that these women would feel threatened by other women and would be afraid that others could destroy their professional success.

Another of the common attitudes of this syndrome is the imitation of masculine or hetero-normed behavior. They also tend to approve discriminatory behaviors and attitudes against other women, seeing them as rivals and weak people.

Everything opposite to sorority

This competitiveness and rivalry between women is precisely the opposite of support and solidarity and one of the main obstacles against equality, especially in the workplace. In fact, according to the Complutense University of Madrid, this syndrome is one of the main current precursors of gender discrimination in the workplace.

It is one of the main reasons why this syndrome totally clashes with the concept of sisterhood between women, as does any type of envy or rivalry between women in a group that, in itself, has had to suffer the ravages for years. of inequality in many areas.

It invites us to especially remember the words of former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: “There is a special place in hell for women who do not support other women.”

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