You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Throughout history, male leaders always lead us to violence and conflict. If a society is governed by female leaders, it will be more peaceful.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
In a previous exam, a similar question appeared, which is as follows:
World history suggests that violence and conflict were more evident under male leadership than under female leadership. So, for peace to prevail, female leadership can be considered as a better option than male leadership.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The central idea of both questions is identical. As a result, you can use the same essay response to address either question.
Discussing Whether a Society Governed By Female Leaders Is More Peaceful: A Band 9 Essay Strategy
If you’re here for the band 9 sample essays, they’re just below this brief! Feel free to scroll down to dive straight into them. But before that, let’s discuss how to approach an essay on whether male leaders inherently lead us to violence and conflict and if societies governed by women would be more peaceful.
This essay question demands a clear opinion, but your stance should be based on how well you can develop and support your arguments, not on personal beliefs. A Band 9 strategy for this topic is to focus on one or two strong, well-explained ideas rather than listing multiple shallow points. IELTS examiners value quality over quantity, so ensure your ideas are logical, cohesive, and fully explored. Whether you agree or disagree, use examples to illustrate your points—these can be hypothetical, inspired by history, or drawn from personal experience. Meeting the IELTS Writing Band Descriptors (Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resources, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy) is crucial for a high score. Focus on clarity, logical progression, and precise vocabulary. Remember, examples don’t have to be real; relevance and alignment with your argument are what matter most.
To make your preparation even stronger, explore the resources on our website. Our comprehensive eBooks in PDF format cover detailed strategies, step-by-step examples, and tons of practice questions based on recent IELTS exams. For personalized guidance, try our Essay Correction Service, where an experienced examiner provides feedback and a band score for your essays within 24 hours. These resources are designed to help you maximize your preparation and achieve your target band. Don’t miss the chance to refine your skills and boost your confidence!
Sample Essay 1
Throughout history, leadership has often been associated with violence and conflict, as male leaders frequently dominate decision-making processes. Some argue that societies led by women would foster greater peace and cooperation. While female leadership may bring unique perspectives, the idea that male leaders inherently lead us to violence and conflict is an oversimplification. This essay argues that leadership outcomes depend more on systemic factors than gender, focusing on the complexity of leadership decisions and the influence of socio-political structures.
One reason it is inaccurate to generalize male leadership as inherently conflict-prone is that violence often arises from systemic pressures rather than individual choices. Leaders, regardless of gender, operate within frameworks shaped by political, economic, and cultural imperatives. For instance, wars have often been the result of resource competition, security concerns, or geopolitical strategy rather than an inherent predisposition toward aggression. Moreover, female leaders like Margaret Thatcher or Golda Meir have also faced circumstances where decisive military action was deemed necessary. This demonstrates that leadership responses are driven by the demands of governance rather than gender characteristics. Simplifying leadership outcomes to gender alone overlooks these complexities.
Additionally, the belief that female leaders would inherently create more peaceful societies risks reinforcing gender stereotypes. While women may bring collaborative and empathetic qualities to leadership, these traits are not universally applicable, nor are they exclusive to one gender. For example, male leaders such as Nelson Mandela exemplified reconciliation and non-violence, disproving the notion that male leadership is synonymous with conflict. Conversely, attributing peace to female leadership could inadvertently limit perceptions of their capabilities in handling other critical aspects of governance, such as economic reform or crisis management. Effective leadership transcends gender, relying instead on adaptability, inclusiveness, and strategic thinking to address diverse challenges.
In conclusion, while some may associate male leadership with violence and conflict, this perspective fails to account for the broader systemic and contextual factors that influence decision-making. Leadership quality depends on individual capability and institutional frameworks rather than gender, making it essential to evaluate leaders based on their actions and outcomes, not preconceived notions.
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Sample Essay 2
The notion that male leaders lead us to violence and conflict while female leaders would create more peaceful societies is a provocative assertion. While exceptions exist, history provides compelling evidence that leadership by men has often correlated with aggression and power struggles. This essay strongly supports the idea that female leaders are more likely to foster peace due to their collaborative leadership styles and their tendency to prioritize social welfare over militaristic ambitions.
A significant reason female leaders are better positioned to promote peace lies in their collaborative and inclusive approach to leadership. Studies in organizational behavior have consistently shown that women tend to emphasize consensus-building and dialogue over authoritarian decision-making. For example, New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern demonstrated extraordinary empathy and unity during her tenure, particularly after the Christchurch terror attacks, fostering national cohesion rather than deepening divisions. In contrast, male leaders have often relied on displays of strength and dominance, which can escalate conflicts. This difference in leadership styles reflects how gendered socialization equips women with skills more suited to negotiation and compromise, essential for peace-building in societies.
Another key factor is the focus female leaders place on social welfare and long-term stability, reducing the root causes of violence and conflict. Women leaders often prioritize education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation—areas that contribute to more equitable and harmonious societies. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s leadership in Liberia exemplified this, as her focus on rebuilding the nation’s institutions helped stabilize a war-torn country. Male-dominated leadership, on the other hand, frequently allocates excessive resources to military endeavors, driven by geopolitical ambitions or economic interests. This contrast underscores how female governance often addresses systemic inequalities that fuel unrest, making peaceful outcomes more achievable.
In conclusion, evidence strongly supports the argument that female leaders are more likely to foster peace than their male counterparts. Their collaborative leadership styles and prioritization of social welfare address underlying societal issues, reducing the need for violent conflict. This demonstrates that a shift toward female-led governance could lead to more harmonious societies.
Sample Essay 3
The claim that male leaders invariably lead us to violence and conflict while female leadership would guarantee peace is an oversimplification of leadership dynamics. While gender may influence certain leadership styles, historical evidence shows that violence and peace are outcomes of political, economic, and social factors, not gender. This essay disagrees with the statement, arguing that leadership effectiveness depends on context and that both male and female leaders have been involved in both conflict and peace.
A key reason this statement is flawed is that leadership decisions are primarily shaped by geopolitical realities rather than the leader’s gender. Leaders, regardless of being male or female, must often navigate complex international relations, where conflicts are driven by factors such as territorial disputes, resource scarcity, or national security. For example, Indira Gandhi, a prominent female leader, engaged in military action during the Bangladesh Liberation War, prioritizing her country’s strategic interests. Similarly, male leaders like Mahatma Gandhi have been globally recognized for their commitment to peace and non-violence. Thus, it is not gender but the demands of governance and the external environment that determine whether a leader’s actions lead to conflict or peace.
Another reason is that attributing leadership outcomes to gender risks reinforcing harmful stereotypes and undermines individual merit. Effective leadership requires qualities such as vision, adaptability, and decision-making skills, which are not inherently tied to one gender. Female leaders such as Catherine the Great and Cleopatra were known for their ambition and political strategies, some of which involved warfare. Meanwhile, many male leaders, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, prioritized global stability through initiatives like the United Nations. By focusing on gender, this narrative disregards the nuanced realities of leadership, where success or failure depends on situational demands rather than inherent traits.
In conclusion, the assumption that male leaders lead to violence while female leaders ensure peace oversimplifies the intricate dynamics of leadership. Leadership outcomes are shaped by external pressures and individual capabilities, not by gender, emphasizing the importance of evaluating leaders based on their actions and context rather than stereotypes.
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