"This is a man's world" screams out James Brown over the airways amidst the political turmoil of the 1960's. He croons about the disproportionate responsibilities and opportunities between men and women. In the sixties, as well as recently, women have fought an uphill battle for authoritative positions. And in doing so, some have had to sacrifice public femininity, as well as a degree of civility, in order to open the door for future women leaders. Whether it be blatant or subtle, fighting discrimination is hard. In today's pop-culture a new brand of female assertion has arisen. And with it comes serious implications upon women in or attempting to enter authoritative positions. Reality courtroom shows, through aggressive behavior and outright mocking, damage an already delicate public image of female authority figures, as well as reinforce old stereotypes.
             An over-compensation for ladylike attributes undermines a judge's authority. A woman's appearance is not relevant to the power she wields or the convictions on which she stands. Rather, it is her civility and dignified character to which a judge remains womanly as well as powerful. "[The woman's] mission is not to enhance the masculine spirit, but to express the feminine; hers is not to preserve a man-made world, but to
             create a human world by the infusion of the feminine element into all of it's activities" (Sanger). In Judge Judy's courtroom, vulgarity and arrogant banter are her means of receiving respect. This judge entitled her first book, Don't Pee on my Leg and Tell Me It's Raining. In the courtroom Judge Sheindlin keeps the same mentality as her book would suggest. By bullying those sent before her, Judge Judy assumes a somewhat contemptuous persona. And in turn is counter productive to her gender. A bully can command respect, but should never be a model for others. There doesn't need to be a sacrifice of dignity ...