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The dialectic of (menopause) zest: Breaking the mold of organizational irrelevance

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  • Camilla Quental

    (Métis Lab EM Normandie - EM Normandie - École de Management de Normandie = EM Normandie Business School, New York University [Abu Dhabi] - NYU - NYU System, Audencia Recherche - Audencia Business School)

  • Pilar Rojas Gaviria

    (University of Birmingham [Birmingham])

  • Céline del Bucchia

    (Audencia Recherche - Audencia Business School)

Abstract

Drawing from women's testimonials in The Guardian and from contributions of feminist writers, Virginia Woolf, Julia Kristeva, and Margaret Mead, we start a conversation on the positive and energizing aspects of menopause in the workplace. We propose a social interpretation of menopause that challenges a pervasive perspective of medical decline: A theorization of "the dialectic of zest," as inspired by the writings of Margaret Mead. By problematizing the experiences of women going through this transition in the workplace, we reveal how well‐intentioned awareness campaigns can lead to further stigmatization. We thus encourage organizations to not only favor an approach of "education for all" but also extend their social imaginaries beyond medicalized perspectives and coping views. Organizations can then embrace the potential of "zest," a positive side of menopause that remains largely unknown. We argue that organizations, inspired by a holistic view of menopause in the workplace, can creatively support the professional progressions and ambitions of not only women but also all employees.

Suggested Citation

  • Camilla Quental & Pilar Rojas Gaviria & Céline del Bucchia, 2023. "The dialectic of (menopause) zest: Breaking the mold of organizational irrelevance," Post-Print hal-04820140, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04820140
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.13017
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-04820140v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Belinda Steffan, 2021. "Managing menopause at work: The contradictory nature of identity talk," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 195-214, January.
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