There was a very interesting article by Christina Patterson in The Independent today, which highlights how little has changed regarding the pressure for women to 'look good', to get anywhere in society.
As well as highlighting the unequal pay divisions for women in society, which I have commented on before, she also refers to the problems around the pressure for women to make sure that their appearance is what the men want. Whilst men do not really promote women in the workplace in general, if you are hot, young and wear a short skirt, you are more likely to be hired. I mean, you most likely will be treat with discontent, but at least you will have the fat middle age balding men in the corner perving on your legs...
This relates to what is called the 'beauty myth'. This is Naomi Wolf's conception, which refers to how the idealised view of how women should look like in society, influences all spheres of which women enter, such as work. This is a way in which men can feel as though they are appearing to provide women more choice, but at the same time, they have a sense of control and self gratification from the women's appointment.
This may seem a bit cynical, but if you read my furious Feminist rant blog I did the other day, you will understand further my anger at the way most women are treated in society. I have openly faced discrimination within the Liberal Democrats for being a woman, that is something I never thought I would ever experience being in a party that promotes equality. When you experience things like that it just makes you think more about the wider systemic injustice that women face in society.
Thus, it seems as though little has really changed, whilst everything has on the surface. Women are able to break the glass ceiling now, however, not all of them, and if the way they break it is for them to wear a short skirt, then that is not progress. It comes to a point where the way in which we tackle the problems around this patronising treatment towards women, which the porn industry highlights so well, becomes unclear. As well as providing more child care, better pay, the way that women can often be made to feel, almost as sexual objects, needs to be tackled.
6 comments:
"Whilst men do not really promote women in the workplace in general"
This is a rather absurd claim.
I meant promote them in ways that really reflect their talent. It is either for self satisfaction, to try and look like they are promoting equality - so opportunistic.
I didn't say all, as i recognise some do. But as I said, even many Lib Dems have been telling me to get back in the kitchen.
There is too much talk around equality, and in truth, those who are young and pretty are more likely to be the ones hired, for totally the wrong reasons.
These sweeping, unsupported generalisations really don't help. Try being less tribal about things.
True. But equally there are sweeping generalisations about women that industries such as porn just reinforce and i just want to stand up for the minorty. I recognise that there are men who are not discriminating against women, but by and large most are especially in the top positions and it shows by the pay gap. Parliment is riddled with these views about women, as shown by how little women are in the house of commons and lords, despite the fact they make up more than half the population.
I recognise what you are saying, but it hasn't been a very good week in regards to my experiences with men and discrimination and in terms of news with the pay gap increasing and articles like the one i have referred to in this blog, that show women are more likely hired if they are young and attractive.
It is just something i feel strongly about, and this can sometimes lead to things i say to seem a bit too over the top, which i appolgise for.
Pah, don't apologise, was not intending to be attack dog-like.
Ah, thanks:)
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