McClure.   Civilized Assertiveness for Women.   "Ch. 14: Women in the Workplace."

            Through many years of studying educational psychology, McClure concludes that extreme competition in workplaces is ultimately destructive.   She provides examples of women in competitive workplace situations to illustrate the negative effects of what she calls "toxic competition."   McClure outlines for women possible adaptations to competitive workplaces to survive the aggressive environment that goes against the nature of women.   At this point, the article veers away from the academic and becomes more like a collection of generalizations about women that are meant to improve their professional lives.   The author states what women need to do or for what goals women must strive, without ever acknowledging that not all women share the same ambitions.   McClure inadvertently perpetuates gender roles and stereotypes with her sweeping statements about the nature of women and men.   Though there is some truth in her claims that the way children are raised often translates in to the workplace, McClure fails to recognize her rampant use of stereotypes.   In addition, she expends such energy arguing that women must act a certain way to combat the unfamiliar forces of competition, yet makes no mention of the brutal rivalries that often occur among women.

The chapter begins with a quote from Miss Manners, and addresses its readers as "my dear."   She stresses that cooperation can be achieved alongside competition.   She goes on to say that competition exists in every work environment, but there is a great difference between common and toxic competition.   She clarifies toxic competition as times when coworkers sabotage each other's work, and when praise comes infrequently.   She tells her audience to realize when they have been positioned in such an atmosphere with a toxic influence.   She says that "competitive environments, in many ways, violate our history as women."   She says that men insult each other as if to say "If you can take a joke from me, you've got a sense of humor about yourself and are confident enough to hang around me."   The chapter ends with McClure urging women to speak up if something deeply bothers you, assert yourself in a civilized way. -K.G.