Sunday Star-Times

Alice Snedden

-

It reinforces that all we can expect is to be treated as objects, and establishe­s an uneven power dynamic. It’s this dynamic that, in part, dictates what is and is not sexist. Men have always been afforded more power, which is why objectific­ation of men is subversive but objectific­ation of woman is sexist. It’s why Laura’s interview can be funny, because it subverts the norm.

Sexism is not like game of tennis, where we’re hitting a ball back and forth and everyone’s having a go. It’s more like a strong river that flows one way and only drowns women.

The US presidenti­al race is a perfect example. The first ever female candidate is constantly ridiculed for smiling too much or too little, and the other is a man who repeatedly ranks women’s looks on scale of 1-10, brags about sexually assaulting women and is still a viable candidate.

I encourage discourse from everyone on this topic. But men, when you comment on this, please also supply a photo so I can decide how much weight to give your opinion. I assume you’re all 10s, but I just want to be sure.

 ??  ?? Hot stuff . . . league stars Shaun Johnson and Johnathan Thurston.
Hot stuff . . . league stars Shaun Johnson and Johnathan Thurston.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from New Zealand