"Speak Up" Why women talk less than men in public.

[Wbeezer]

Interesting programme on Radio 4 today at 11am. Mary Ann Seighart explores why women don't speak up in public and how women are sidelined in debates and meeting and girls in the classroom. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000ydx0
I found it very interesting, especially about female and male socialisation around talking.

I find I tend to switch off, turn away, look bored etc when men speak and switch back on when women speak. I don't do it on purpose but the men definitely notice and in some cases it helps to shut them up a bit. Obviously can't do that in a work environment where the man is your boss.

I've also developed a very polite "you interrupted me" and continue saying what I was saying.

Because women are more agreeable

They worry more about if what they say will upset people ect

Because women are more agreeable

They worry more about if what they say will upset people

Isn’t that because we’ve been socialised to be that way? Boys who organise games in playtimes at school are seen as future leaders. Girls who do that are seen as bossy.

What an interesting listen. Thanks so much for the link.

I listen to Radio 4 a lot over the years and they are definitely better at putting female experts on - financial and scientific stuff I would say they have a fair balance. There's a lot of American accented women, but not men for some reason.

The book is fascinating and really useful.

My friends all know what a wanker he can be and I've tolerated it for the sake of the group.

That’s kind of you, Red. But now it’s time the group stood up for you. I hope you feel able to start challenging him, or making a point of ignoring his nonsense when he derails a discussion and getting back to the topic.

The most useful thing I ever did was take a voice class - just a couple of sessions to teach me how to physically project my voice without shouting like actors on stage have to do.

Great idea, thanks Geeka.

At a company I used to work for there was a guy who would always get heard in meetings. If he hadn't quite got his point to hand he would make noises, so no one else could speak until he did eg errrrrrrrr the point I am making is xyz. He is of course now very high up in the organisation. I have seen male politicians do this too.