This type of phrasing appears in many areas of life, especially in discussions about careers traditionally dominated by men. Statements like “women can be engineers too” or “women can lead companies just as well as men” sound empowering but still treat men as the default leaders and engineers. The “too” exposes the bias. It implies that women are entering a space that belongs to men. To dismantle stereotypes, we must stop framing women’s achievements as exceptions and start treating them as normal. The same issue appears in reverse when discussing fields traditionally associated with women. Saying “men can be nurses too” or “men can be great caregivers” reinforces the idea that caregiving is inherently feminine. These statements unintentionally uphold the stereotype by treating men as outsiders in these roles. Instead of comparing genders, we should normalize the idea that any person can excel in any field. Ability is not gendered; interest and skill are what matter.
