feminist news round-up 20.05.12
Penny Wong Knows Family Values
On Q&A this week, a questioner asked Joe Hockey why he and his wife were better parents than Penny Wong and her same-sex partner. Hockey spluttered an embarrassed response which eventually culminated into the statement, ‘I think in this life we’ve got to aspire to give our children what I believe is the very best circumstances, and that’s to have a mother and a father.’
Wong responded to this in a way which has been described as a ‘watershed moment’ in the Australian debate on marriage equality. She said, ‘When you say those things, Joe, what you’re saying to not just me but people like me is that the most important thing in our lives, which is the people we love, is somehow less good, less valued.’ She went on to acknowledge that comments like Hockey’s were hurtful, but concluded by saying: “I know what my family is worth.”’
You can read more about the exchange here, and watch the clip below:
Corporate Women Told How To Dress
Companies including Westpac, Clayton Utz and King & Wood Mallesons have all recruited style consultants to provide sessions on dress standards for young, female staff. Not the men. Obviously. While the men have the luxury of, you know, actually doing their job, the women of the companies are off at their dressing and make-up application lessons. Apparently lip gloss, dangling earrings and opaque stockings are off limits, girls. Why? Good question.
Women are already expected to spend more on corporate attire than their male counterparts. Commentator Nina Funnell writes, ‘While men’s suits may cost more than women’s suits, women’s fashion cycles are far shorter meaning that, overall, women are expected to spend more time and energy keeping up with current trends.’ Aside from their clothes, this also includes things such as make-up and hairstyling.
It’s argued that these lessons are meant to help women make a good impression and allow them to succeed in business. Obviously, business has some pretty big problems if a woman’s penchant for lip gloss stops her from getting a promotion.
Want a Promotion? Don’t speak
In another story on the sexist side of big business, a Yale University study found that reserved women were more likely to succeed in business than women who actually said things. When men voice their opinions, others think that they are good at their jobs. When women do the same thing, according to the study, they are deemed to be ‘domineering and presumptuous’. You can read more about the study here and express your outrage in our comments section.
Are Skinny Models Bad for Business?
Ben Barry, a modelling agent, led a study which tried to determine under what circumstances women were more inclined to buy clothes. In a study of 2,500 women of all ages and sizes, he found that more women were willing to shell out money for a Diane Von Furstenburg wrap dress after seeing how great it looked on a woman whose figure resembled her own. He concluded that women preferred to see models who looked like them so that they’d have a better idea of whether the dress would look good on them.
A Woman in the Wiggles
The Wiggles line-up has gone through a shake-up, with three of the four band members looking to retire. The yellow Wiggle, Greg, will be replaced by 20 year-old, Emma Watkins.
(Image source: 1)
