Not sure how to explain feminism to work colleagues

[DogCatMouseCheese]

Hello all,

I work in a very male dominated industry, think 90%/10%. Men at work don't see this as an issue because this reflects the breakdown of applicants.

Also - as we have a female prime minister then there can't be any problems with role models or aspiration.

It seems to be thought that different genders choose different jobs and that is just that.

Please help me explain how their thinking is fundamentally flawed! Thank you.

Tbh, if I ever have to explain feminism to men, I always approach it to begin with with stats about men's mental health/suicide or how they felt excluded from mother and baby groups and go on to exlain how/why this happens.

It stops them from shutting you down immediately with "whataboutery" and feminism doesn't feel hostile to them.

And take it from there.

However, it's hard because a lot of people see this as natural law.

Similar industry, but many men there do see it as a big problem. The bosses think /know their teams do better if they have women in them

We are asked to go into schools in an effort to encourage girls to study stem subjects

Theybregale me with tales of sexism in action..like the blind auditions for orchestras or the name changed CVs

wild guess... is yours a young team?

If you can identify a country/region where the sex balance is split more evenly for the same kind of job that will demonstrate nicely that it isn't just that women are "naturally" choosing other jobs. Something is putting them off.

Also, if the balance of BAME is the same, i.e. your workplace is 90% white, ask them if they think that non-white men also "naturally" choose other jobs?

Most men do not know that boys do betting in mixed sex classes and girls do better in single sex classes. It shows up in the work force too.
Feminism investigates the reasons why women are paid 78 cents on the dollar for men. Among other things.

I hadn't made the link from girls school to female dominated work places bring similar. Interesting. I work in a very female heavy profession and must say that's I've done very well. And found some men who are there very difficult to work with due to their different approach/ work ethic.

Get them the look at the Everyday Sexism project, the book, website or Laura's speeches on YouTube?

Perhaps if they understand that they will empathise?

Read aloud from 'The man who has it all'. That's how my DH started to appreciate some of the nonsense we put up with....

This is quite an interesting Feminism 101. Without having to get to grips with intellectual feminist theory.

The male privilege section, is the one that is relevant to you, I think.

And yes 'the man who has it all' its brilliant. It just switches the sexes into everyday things that we say and really shows up the difference.

fairplayforwomen.com/gender-critical-feminism/

I work in a similar sector (83/17%) for a similar reason- not many women are applying for the frontline jobs which make up the bulk of the company. However I do feel like they get this is the issue and there is loads of investment in school engagement and encouraging more girls to take up STEM subjects.
When I do come up against ignorant attitudes I like to try and 'coach' them through a conversation where they end up identifying for themselves what the issue is. So if someone says 'Well more men are at a senior level so of course the pay gap is wide' I'll ask why they think that is. That then leads to more conversation etc

If they are intelligent, thinking people, Man Who Has It All will work wonders.

Plus if you use Man Who Has It All you may get to say "light testicle mist" in the office