International Woman's Day- School Assembly

[Littleturkish]

My DH saw the no more page three Sun experiment video today (take six months of the paper, compare images of women versus images of men) and wants to use it in an assembly for his year group (11) and I suggested using IWD as a background for it.

Currently, this is his idea for how it would run:

1. Tennis star Eugenie Bouchard and the twirl
2. Women's achievements not getting the same coverage in the media as men- historic problem, women in history have their successes overshadowed by their male counterparts
3. How are women presented in newspapers today? Show video.
4. Question things- don't accept things for how they are. Bechdel test, TV presenters, calling women 'girls', words like 'bossy', toys aimed at genders
5. Why does it matter? Sexism hurts both sexes- we're a partnership, a team, no man is an island. Women's wages, violence against women, women in politics...be the change you want to see.

Any suggestions of what could be added or good examples of what is mentioned above?

All feedback welcome!

Thanks

Why do you care? Do you think he needs rescuing? Is that a good use of your limited time?

OP, I'd ensure that point 4 also covers words like 'slag' 'sket' 'slut' etc.

Sounds like a good assembly.

*YonicScrewdriver Fri 06-Feb-15 20:52:19

"Boys club tumblr

100percentmen.tumblr.com/image/70453657513"*

'Look boys and girls, the Masters of the Eggverse are all male, MALE!'

...I understand the sentiment but I think a different example might be taken more seriously.

Happy to learn about other examples - have you got some?

Wow.

To respond to a few questions:

1. Yes, far too much to pack in, especially with clip lasting 5 min. Have to think about how to make it shorter/what to take out.

1. I care because we were talking about it and he asked my advice. Our DD is born in IWD and he is really interested in feminist campaigns. He identifies himself as a feminist. I 'wear the trousers'? How quaint. We both wear trousers at various points of the week. Don't really see what that has to do with anything.

1. Yes, I thought the same at 'no man is an island'. But want something similar that they will get the reference to, and it is a poem they will all have studied. Again, will have a think.

Ideas taken on- using the avengers image from Hawkeye to start assembly. Think that will be an engaging and interesting lead in.

He wants to end it with 50% of all t-rexes are female.

You must admit it appears feminists spend more energy focusing on the trivial matters.

No, I don't think we do. Now, can I have that list, which I'm sure you've already compiled, of things that women should be doing, in importance order.

The amount of effort going in to the "no more page 3" campaign is ludicrous, given some of the other things going on, eg the 1,400 underaged girls raped in Rotherham.

The fact that you can't see the links isn't my problem, go educate yourself.

Just think if he's able to reach so many teenagers he could educate them on important subjects, rather than trying to brainwash them on Page 3 etc. I hope you can understand now.

Oh yes, I think we've well and truly got your number now, but thanks for clarifying.

OP, if they've studied the poem he could say "no woman is an island" or "no human is an island"?

Yes, I thought the same at 'no man is an island'. But want something similar that they will get the reference to, and it is a poem they will all have studied. Again, will have a think.

I think the problem really is the implication that violence against women matters because it might affect men in some way. It really needs to be clear that women matter on our own merits. I understand that it appears that we've always got to frame it as affecting men or they won't take any notice but I think that's the risk we have to take.

AT I was more thinking- men should care about how women are treated simply because we SHOULD care about each other, none of us exist in isolation- women should care about other men and women; men should care about other men and women.

I've found with teenagers that they often knee jerk react and say "but I don't mind, I don't care, I want to stay home/earn less/like pink" or whatever ridiculous detail they pick up on, but emphasising they should care about others having their OWN choice is equally important.

Does that make sense?

"Happy to learn about other examples - have you got some?"

No. But if he's read this forum in any detail he shouldn't have too much trouble conveying the idea that groups comprised solely of men are inherently repellent and A) shouldn't be allowed to form and B) should be dispersed if they do form that C) the same rules should not apply to women, then finally D) that A, B and C should be enshrined in law.

"He wants to end it with 50% of all t-rexes are female. grin"

If he says that then he should give an honest answer to the question 'who stayed at home and looked after the eggs?', even if it's not asked, otherwise the kids whose attitudes you want to change will answer it for themselves.

Oh, now I see where you are coming from, Dothey.

It certainly makes sense, I just personally wouldn't go down the sexism hurts both sexes too route. Perhaps it's true, but it implies that the real reason to care about sexism is that it might affect men in some way. I think we need to be clear that the way it affects women is actually reason enough to oppose it.

Like this?

24.media.tumblr.com/74824f7f3c5042214f10d458dff3b232/tumblr_mq36nuKLRE1qao5pko1_250.jpg

Oh, why didn't it make the picture?

www.nerdyfeminist.com/2013/08/shes-someone-vs-narcissistic-fatherhood.html?m=1

LOL at Buffy. Though your new name is reminding me of "Graduation Day"

I think you have to save the pic to upload it, it won't show them from a link

Thanks Petula

Australian journo Clementine Ford had an article which led to a Twitter thingy (I don't tweet so don't know the lingo) called #questionsformen. It was really interesting.

Posted to soon.

The questions asked were very on topic.

Yes he is a 'man' but, judging by this post, his feminist wife is calling the shots on the assembly and wears the trousers in the relationship. He wants to make her happy so is going along with it.

Are you maybe a bit jealous that he has someone to play with his peepee besides himself a wife?

BuffytheThunderLizard Sun 08-Feb-15 10:59:14

"I think the assembly should feature Magnetic and Dothey expounding their views. Maybe with a visit from the barrister who thinks women shouldn't serve on juries and shouldn't go outside their homes if they don't want to be raped. Maybe there could be podcast interviews with all three.

I think this would make feminism's point rather nicely to anyone with a modicum of intellect."

I think anyone with a modicum of intellect would quickly see that conflating what I've said in this thread with that of "the barrister" is preposterous. The only way you could sound more ridiculous is if you claimed I was sharing the same mental platform as the author(s) of The ISIS handbook for women.

Sadly I suspect you'll find a way to trump even that comparison.