The Unspeakeasy With Meghan Daum Have Women Ruined The World? Helen Andrews on The Great Feminization
Oct 22, 2025
Helen Andrews, a senior editor known for her sharp cultural commentary, dives into her thought-provoking essay 'The Great Feminization.' She explores how feminine social norms have permeated institutions like academia and journalism, reshaping workplace dynamics. Andrews tackles the implications of agreeableness in professional environments, discussing its role as a social virtue and a potential liability. She also questions the effectiveness of women's initiatives in STEM fields and emphasizes the need for diverse workplace styles to foster truth-seeking and innovation.
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Wokeness As Institutional Feminization
- Helen Andrews argues "wokeness = feminization": as women become the numerical majority in institutions, feminine social norms shape institutional behavior.
- She claims this shift explains the rise of identity-focused, emotional policing in workplaces and academia.
Father's Job Switch Revealed Gendered Office Norms
- Helen recounts her father moving from an all-male law firm to a predominantly female disability NGO and having to manage coworkers' feelings constantly.
- That experience prompted her to notice how gender balance changed workplace norms and expectations.
Professions Feminize At Different Rates
- Many professions are at different feminization stages: law and medical schools now skew female while judges and practicing doctors lag due to appointment/publication delays.
- Academia and journalism are further along, which Helen links to stronger adoption of woke norms there.
