Someone glances at a woman balancing work, family, household chores, and personal life, and they say with admiration, “Wow, you’re such a superwoman!”

At first, it sounds like a compliment, right?

But dig a little deeper, and it’s not as flattering as it seems.

Instead, this title serves as a societal cop-out, a convenient way of avoiding the real conversation:

Women are taking on far too much and need help—not applause.

Superwoman as a Smokescreen

The reason people call women “superwoman” is simple.

It makes them feel better about the imbalance without actually addressing the imbalance.

It’s like saying, “You’re doing so great! Keep doing all that extra work so the rest of us don’t have to step up.” It’s not just an innocent comment; it’s a way to justify why we don’t need to intervene or help.

There’s a hidden message behind “superwoman”

“You don’t need help; look at how amazing you are handling everything.” “Since you’ve got it all under control, I don’t need to get involved.” “If you’re capable of doing it all, why should anyone offer to share the load?”

And this is where the problem lies.

By celebrating women’s ability to juggle everything, we’re removing responsibility from those who need to be helping.

It reinforces the harmful stereotype that women should be able to do it all, even when they’re struggling.

If We Tell Women They’re Superwoman, They Won’t Ask for Help

Calling a woman “superwoman” is a tactical move.

It absolves others from the obligation to share the burden because it reinforces the idea that if she can do it all, then she should do it all.

It’s easier to stand by and watch a woman juggle multiple roles if you can convince yourself that she’s superhuman.

If you believe she’s strong enough to do it all, then there’s no reason to feel guilty about not helping. She can handle it, right?

Truth is, the more we glorify women for doing everything, the more we trap them into believing that they’re not allowed to ask for help.

This isn’t a compliment—it’s a form of emotional manipulation.

We’re setting women up to continue overextending themselves because we’ve convinced them that’s what makes them “strong.”

It’s almost as if the moment a woman asks for help or admits she’s struggling her “superwoman” badge is revoked. She’s no longer seen as invincible, and in our society, that’s unacceptable.

When you call a woman “superwoman,” you’re subtly telling her that struggling in silence is part of her power.

You’re saying, “Keep going. You’re strong enough to do this all by yourself.”

And over time, many women internalise this message, feeling they must prove themselves by never asking for support.

Women already face overwhelming expectations, but when we throw labels like “superwoman” at them, it only piles on more pressure. A 2020 survey from Lean In found that one in four women considered leaving the workforce during the pandemic due to the demands of both work and caregiving.

But how many of those women actually felt they could speak up and ask for help without being seen as weak?

The whole “superwoman” narrative leaves women no space to say, “I need support. I need help. I am struggling. This is not ok.”

Society has framed asking for help as a sign of weakness, especially when it comes to women.

After all, if you’re “superwoman,” shouldn’t you be able to do it all?

Why This “Compliment” Is Harmful

The worst part about calling women “superwoman” is that it normalises overwork and glorifies burnout.

It tells women that working themselves to the bone is not only expected, but it’s something they should aspire to.

It shifts the focus away from rest, self-care, and balance and instead pushes women to constantly perform at superhuman levels.

In a world where 42% of women report feeling burned out according to Lean In’s 2021 Women in the Workplace study, and women are 2.5 times more likely to handle unpaid labour at home, we’re still patting them on the back with a title that essentially says, “You’re doing great—keep going.”

But the reality is no one can keep going at that pace forever. And no one should have to.

Behind the cape, the “superwoman” is falling apart, but society would rather hand her another badge of honour than redistribute the load.

The World Health Organisation has linked chronic stress and burnout to physical and mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease. But sure, let’s keep calling women “superwoman” and watch as their mental and physical health deteriorates.

How to Rip Off the Cape Once And For All

We don’t need more compliments about how much we’re managing. We need actual, structural, and cultural change.

Stop Masking the Problem with Compliments

Calling women “superwoman” is a convenient way to avoid addressing the real issue. Instead of superficial praise, take action. Don’t wait for her to ask what needs doing.

Be proactive.

Recognise the invisible mental load she’s carrying, and actively look for ways to lighten it. (or better yet, bloody remove it)

Whether it’s handling household tasks or sharing the emotional labour, the responsibility needs to be shared by everyone. Compliments won’t reduce her stress, but taking tangible steps to help will.

Challenge Gender Roles at Home

The imbalance begins at home, and that’s where change must start. Partners and families need to engage in honest conversations about the mental and emotional labour that women disproportionately bear.

This isn’t just about dividing chores; it’s about sharing the burden of organising, planning, and managing.

Real change happens when everyone steps up and takes equal responsibility.

It’s about dismantling outdated gender roles and fostering true partnerships that don’t default to women as household managers.

Support Boundaries Without Question

When a woman sets boundaries, respect them—no questions asked.

Saying no and prioritising rest over relentless productivity should be celebrated, not challenged.

Strength isn’t about how much one can take on; it’s about knowing when to step back.

We need to create a culture where saying no is normalised and supported, and encouraged.

Allow women the space to protect their time and energy without judgment or guilt.