Sadly, but true: Even in the 21st century, we still must adhere to certain gender rules to be successful. 

 A doctoral candidate at Rutgers University researched recently what happens if men break these gender rules. More than 200 students of both genders viewed videotaped staged interviews of male and female  job applicants. All the applicants were paid actors who delivered rehearsed similar modest responses for the position.

It turned out that the students judged the applicants as equally competent; however, the modest males were perceived as weak and therefore, they were less liked while modesty in women was not viewed negatively.

Original article: http://news.rutgers.edu/medrel/special-content/summer_2010/rutgers-study-finds-20100726/

Christiane is psychologist and Life & Career coach. Contact her at ten.u4hcaocnull@enaitsirhc