Even in 2023, five years after the height of the #MeToo movement, women in the workplace face continued obstacles and unequal pressure. This reality, paired with the “Girlboss” caricature that we see lauded on social media, along with cultural expectations for women to “have it all,” can be exhausting and debilitating for modern corporate women. However, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is one of many women beginning to resist this pressure.
Ardern stepped down from her position on Feb. 7, after resigning on Jan. 19, citing burnout as her reason for resigning.
From the moment she took office in 2017, global media has labeled Ardern as the quintessential “Girlboss.” Entering her position at age 37, she is the youngest woman in the world to serve as a head of government. She is also a mother, and the second elected world leader to give birth in office. She spent her tenure championing women’s rights in New Zealand and earning global praise for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and her approach to gun violence prevention.
This “Girlboss-ification” of modern women like Jacinda Ardern serves to both belittle them and place them on an unnecessary pedestal. We glorify these women for mastering the art of “having it all” in a way that we never would applaud a man for, creating a toxic culture in which we construct a model of feminism as something virtually impossible to sustain without burnout. While disguised as a term of endearment or female empowerment, the “girlboss” trope is just another form of modern sexism.
This is demonstrated in the response to Ardern’s resignation. A since-edited BBC News headline from January 20 read: “Jacinda Ardern resigns: can women really have it all?” The creation of impossible standards for women and unrelenting criticism for failing to meet those standards is patriarchy at its finest. Jacinda Ardern’s decision to step away from office to prioritize her mental health is an important form of new-age feminism.
We are at a turning point in today’s culture where women are choosing to break free from toxic and limiting societal expectations. In refusing to perform after reaching her limit, Ardern is subverting “girlboss” stereotypes and patriarchal notions of what it means to be a successful woman. As impressive as her accomplishments as Prime Minister have been, it is equally impressive to watch her honor her boundaries. Instead of scrutinizing women who are navigating patriarchal fields for their failure or ability to “have it all,” we should be applauding them for their attempts to exist and thrive in them.