A lack of confidence blamed on the history of women

A lack of confidence in women can have a variety of causes. There is one cause, though, that influences a huge number of us, and that is the shocking punishments bestowed on women in the past for speaking out.

How can being punished for speaking out lead to a lack of confidence in women? Let me explain.

In earlier centuries in Britain, women were punished for speaking out in public by having a torture instrument called the Scold's Bridle locked on their head. They were then paraded through the streets to show how bad they were. No wonder a lack of confidence in speaking out, developed. If they spoke, a metal prong on the Scold's Bridle would rip their tongue to shreds.

Just as bad, the same punishment was meted out to women who spoke out against their husbands at home. Of course, there was a lack of confidence in women if they wanted to speak out and stand up for themselves. No-one would want such a shocking punishment.

Have a look at this video I made with orthodontist, Shelley Greenway. We describe this shocking cruelty further and explain how this history still impacts on us today and continues to contribute to a lack of confidence in women.

Sure, you and I are no longer subjected to the Scold's Bridle, but the legacy continues. Such a history can get passed on silently from one generation to another and continue to subtly play out as a lack of confidence in women.

How has this history affected your confidence? Watch the video and find out.

By knowing more about our history as women and what contributes to our insecurity in speaking out, and letting go of our history, we overcome a lack of confidence.

May your confidence grow.

Written by Rachel Green. Keynote Speaker | Confidence Coach | Author.

Rachel is the Founding Director of Confident Woman Australia. She grew up with a mother who had been influenced by the punishments for speaking out and who was timid in speaking out. She initially passed these lessons on to her daughter.

Since then, Rachel has worked hard to overcome a lack of confidence in speaking out. She is now the author of a DVD on "networking skills", a number of books, and 20 CDs including her popular: Confidence for women in public speaking.

She is also a very successful keynote speaker and regularly speaks to groups of women. She can speak at your conference or event on: Sparkling with confidence at work. This is an inspiring speech, hilarious, practical and relevant. It is ideal if you or your employees want to overcome a lack of confidence or learn to be more assertive in speaking out.

Copyright Confident Woman Australia, 2012.
NB: This article is for your information only and does not constitute individual advice. Everyone is different. It is of a general nature only. It is not provided as an alternative to obtaining professional advice from an appropriately qualified practitioner. Please seek the help you need to overcome a lack of confidence.