In a conversation last Sunday with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Anthony Scaramucci, the new White House communications director, described Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the new White House press secretary, in favorable terms, using words like “authentic” and “phenomenal.” However, in just 60 seconds of a 26-minute interview, Scaramucci did Sanders, women in general, and men who care about gender equality a disservice.
How Not to Advocate for a Woman at Work
In a conversation last Sunday with Jake Tapper, host of the CNN show State of the Union, Anthony Scaramucci, the new White House communications director, described Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the new White House press secretary, in favorable terms, using words like “authentic” and “phenomenal.” However, in just 60 seconds of a 26-minute interview, Scaramucci did Sanders, women in general, and men who care about gender equality a disservice. Although it is reasonable to assume Scaramucci had good intentions, he, like many men, missed the mark when advocating for a woman. He did not display what psychologists Peter Glick and Susan Fiske refer to as hostile sexism — an antagonistic attitude toward women and a desire to control or dominate them. However, he did exhibit what is perhaps a more insidious and subtle form of sexism termed benevolent sexism — a chivalrous attitude that suggests women are weak and need men’s protection. His comments provide a cautionary tale about how good intentions, even compliments, can undermine support for women at work.