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What Does It Mean to Rule with an Iron Fist?

Angela Farrer
Angela Farrer

Ruling with an iron fist generally means to require absolute control when managing other people, often in the workplace. The saying can also refer to situations such as child-rearing or styles of government. This idiom is often used to describe the actions and practices of managers, parents, or leaders who give their subordinates little if any freedom of choice or input regarding decisions. Reasons for ruling with an iron fist can often depend on individual circumstances, such as inexperienced workers or unruly children. The effectiveness of using total control can also vary, depending on the scope of the management style and the situation.

English sayings such as "rule with an iron fist" often refer to job situations in which this type of management can be viewed as a necessary evil. Jobs that carry a high amount of risk and require strict safety procedures are frequently supervised with a large amount of control because variations can potentially lead to accidents. This idiomatic expression is usually used to contrast this type of work environment with one that has a more democratic style of management. Other types of jobs with tight control are sometimes those with large numbers of entry-level workers, though without the safety risks. Managing with an iron fist in this work situation can sometimes have more negative connotations because it can be viewed as a detriment to morale.

Parents may be described as ruling their children with an iron fist.
Parents may be described as ruling their children with an iron fist.

Parents who are described as ruling with iron fists typically impose strict and various household rules along with prompt consequences for violations of those rules. They may give their children definite guidelines such as bedtimes, limits on television viewing, and time set aside for homework completion. These rules are usually not open to discussion or negotiation. The same children may also follow imposed rules for conduct and behavior that include punishment for disrespect towards their parents. Rearing children with this style of parenting is typically viewed with mixed opinions, and some people believe it results in responsible and self-sufficient citizens, while others believe that simply leads to rebellion.

Some believe that ruling teens with an iron fist may lead to rebellion.
Some believe that ruling teens with an iron fist may lead to rebellion.

National leaders who rule their countries with an iron fist usually impose laws that dictate many areas of their citizens' lives. These laws can include censored information in news broadcasts, limits on geographic locations where people can live or travel, and restrictions on voting for government officials. This type of government is usually viewed as a stark contrast to ideas of democracy that are widely accepted in many areas of the world.

Discussion Comments

anon988443

And democracy is a load of old tot as well.

None of it works, and nothing I can possibly think of to replace the terrible capitalist one sided democracy, now or in the future exists or is likely to exist.

Nothing, other than a complete uprising of all peoples against it, including those right at the top supposedly giving us what they call democracy, and even then what will replace the rich and its bad democracy? The same thing, because there is nothing to replace it.

They say democracy is the way forward. Uh-huh, and I say it is backwards, along with Communism, etc, etc. They're all the same.

Think up something new please, that everyone benefits from and do it soon.

julies

I have had many good bosses, but there was one boss I will never forget. She ruled her area with an iron fist and there was always a lot of turmoil at work.

In addition to the conflict and low employee morale, there was also a lot of turnover. I probably would have looked for another job, but she was eventually let go.

The next boss they hired was so much different and the workplace was much more enjoyable. I think those people who have this type of personality have a very hard time making any positive changes.

I also have never known someone who acted this way to have very many true friends. It seems like most people are afraid of them and are only around them if they don't have any other options.

bagley79

I was fortunate to grow up in a home where we were disciplined fairly and there was a lot of love. This wasn't the case for one of my best friends.

Her dad ruled their home with an iron fist and was very controlling of everything they did. She would spend as much time as she could at our house just for some peace.

She also enjoyed being around a family atmosphere that was warm and loving. Both of her brothers rebelled and they had a lot of problems with them. I can understand why their kids had such a hard time.

My friend turned out OK, but the older she got, the less time she was at home. She was determined she was not going to marry someone who ruled with an iron fist. She married a nice man who was the complete opposite of her father.

Mykol

In many homes where someone rules with an iron fist, this is something that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Many times they are probably not even aware they are doing it, but it was the way their father ran the household.

I would have a very hard time living with someone who ruled with an iron fist. Children who are in a situation like that don't have very options.

As an adult, I don't think I could put up with it for very long - whether it be in a home or work environment.

wavy58

This expression makes me think of my friend's husband. He thinks that the man should be the head of the household, and he keeps a tight leash on his wife.

He makes her tell him where she is going and when she will be back. If she is late, then he checks the mileage on her car to see if she went further than she said. He is always trying to catch her in a lie, but she is too terrified to lie to him.

This is a very unhealthy relationship. He doesn't trust her, and this makes his control issues even worse. She can't ever relax, and though she wishes she never married him, she is too scared to leave him.

kylee07drg

I had a teacher in kindergarten that ruled with an iron fist. She scared all the children, and no one liked her.

When you are that young, you are really susceptible to fear. This teacher was an old woman who wore her long hair up in a bun and a solemn expression all the time. She slapped kids' hands with rulers when they disobeyed, and she even chased one girl around the room with a fly swatter because she didn't want to eat her vegetable soup.

It is true that young, energetic children can be hard to control, but I really don't think that scaring them to death is the way to go. I think that positive reinforcement would be much more beneficial.

orangey03
@Perdido – I can see why your husband's sister would want a different identity. Often, when parents rule with an iron fist, the children end up resenting them and having emotional scars because of it.

My best friend's dad used to beat her with a belt to punish her for something as small as forgetting to put her plate away after eating. He left bruises on her, and she developed anxiety and intimacy issues that still plague her life.

Parents don't always realize that the way they treat their kids will shape them for the rest of their lives. Parents think they are doing what is best to discipline and build character in the child, when they really might be damaging them instead.

Perdido

I think that when parents with several children rule with an iron fist, this can have mixed results. My husband has three sisters, and their dad was very strict. Though he and two of his sisters turned out all right, one rebelled in a major way.

She decided that she didn't want to do anything the way her parents did. She ran away at age seventeen and got married at age eighteen. Then, she totally changed everything about herself and made sure that her household bore no resemblance to that of her childhood.

She changed religions, child-rearing styles, and the way she went about every process in her life. Even if something had worked all right for her before, she altered it just to be different.

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    • Parents may be described as ruling their children with an iron fist.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Parents may be described as ruling their children with an iron fist.
    • Some believe that ruling teens with an iron fist may lead to rebellion.
      By: bertys30
      Some believe that ruling teens with an iron fist may lead to rebellion.