What the controversy over Finnish Prime Minister’s dancing videos reveals about women leaders
- Videos of Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin singing and dancing at a private party caused uproar.
- Experts say reaction underscores the double standards women in politics face.
- People are quick to find fault with ambitious, successful women and to excuse unethical men.
Videos posted on social media last week showed Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin singing and dancing at a private party with friends. But she is a young woman in politics, so next came furor.
Critics pounced, with opposition members of parliament calling her behavior irresponsible and unbecoming of a prime minister. To quiet media speculation about substances used at the party, Marin took a drug test, which was negative. Women around the world who’ve ever had fun at a party made noise too, posting videos on social media of themselves dancing exuberantly under the hashtag #solidaritywithsanna.