The Pull Her Down Syndrome: A Betrayal of Sisterhood
Joyce Baloyi is an Industrial Psychology Lecturer and Psychometrist at the University of South Africa (Unisa).
Image: Supplied
Have you ever experienced the hurt of a woman minimising your accomplishments, downplaying your successes, or discarding you? Pull Her Down Syndrome is the term for these challenging phenomena.
More than a slight to the ego, it is a betrayal of sisterhood. All too frequently, women who question the status quo are labelled as "difficult" or "out of place." This rejection might take the form of refusing support, exaggerating shortcomings, or covertly undermining one another to uphold established hierarchies, as Gender Links points out.
This begs the critical question: What became of sisterhood, the camaraderie that used to bind women together despite structural obstacles?
Sisterhood: The Forgotten Safe Haven
Sisterhood has long been a network based on advocacy, empathy, and a common struggle, serving as a haven. Social movements, women's voices, and leadership opportunities have all been fuelled by this unseen thread.
In real life, it manifests as support, encouragement, and acknowledging one another's accomplishments. Stories about sisterhood that emphasise its importance in empowerment and resilience are still popular on social media. However, this mentality is disappearing in many organisations and workplaces.
Women are frequently pitted against one another in societies that value individual success over group development, especially in industries with a predominance of men. The outcome? The bonds that ought to be our most significant value are weakened by competition, which diminishes companionship.
Elevate Her.
Image: File
Bridging Generational Divides
There are up to five generations working side by side in today's workplace: Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, the Silent Generation, and even Gen Alpha. Though it frequently causes conflict, this diversity ought to be a strength.
Younger women often struggle to be taken seriously, while older women may feel overlooked due to generational prejudices. Making this relationship more reciprocal rather than competitive is the problematic part.
Practical strategies for rebuilding bonds include:
In both cross-generational and reverse mentorship, younger women contribute new ideas and digital proficiency, while older women give strategic insights.
Storytelling projects: recording life experiences for future generations to preserve knowledge and promote compassion.
Collaborative projects are those that provide chances for people of different ages to learn from one another rather than compete.
Generational diversity can be one of the most effective tools for women's growth if it is appropriately utilised.
Sisterhood as a Strategic Resource
In addition to providing emotional support, sisterhood is a valuable tool at work. Strong networks of women promote leadership development, inclusivity, and mentoring, according to research. They increase retention and foster cultures that support the success of women.
Why It Matters
- Creating sisterhood across generations is essential, not optional. It has quantifiable advantages:
- Retention: when companies grow more welcoming, talent remains involved.
- Creativity: innovation is sparked by combining new ideas with seasoned knowledge.
- Resilience: women help each other get above cultural, institutional, and personal barriers.
- Change: Group advocacy speeds up the removal of covert biases and glass ceilings.
A Call to Action—and Hope
Our collective ties may have been eroded by competition, prejudice, and structural forces, but this is not the end of the narrative.
Rekindling sisterhood is possible. Millennials, Gen Z, Boomers, Gen X, and Gen Alpha entering their early careers are all generations where women can mentor, advocate, and establish environments free from "pull-her-down" syndrome.
It is up to us to decide. Let us choose to be united. Supporting each other's development is essential. Because action, not silence, is the best way to honour the legacy of sisterhood.
Baloyi is an Industrial Psychology Lecturer and Psychometrist at the University of South Africa (Unisa). The views expressed does not necessarily reflect those of the Sunday Tribune or IOL.