No need for feminism in the uk?

[MIdgebabe]

I have recently been Gobsmacked at a few comments raised lately by colleagues. And completely failed to reply with anything other than a non commital "um"

The comments have been along the following lines:
" girls have the opportunity to do stem subjects-they make their own minds up, they are just not interested"
" since women chose to look after their children then it is no surprise there is a pay gap"
"There are women at all levels of society...even the prime minister. There is no discrimination against women"
"Violence against men is a much bigger problem than against women...just look at a and e at the weekend. Focussing on women is selfish"

How would you reply to such statements? Or is it true, am I just a middle aged has been who has failed to recognise how society has moved on?

It's frustrating isn't it!
I think society has gotten worse for women after a brief glimpse of things moving forwards there has been a huge backlash and much resistance.

It's more annoying when you hear "why should women be in power? Look at the mess Thatcher and May have made." Like two examples of female prime ministers ever is enough reason to reject feminism. Yes I have heard that said in my own home.

The fact that they are making such hostile statements must be creating a negative atmosphere at work. Don't start or engage with these types of conversation, and wait to see how they react.

You know how I would reply!
I would print out the rules of misogyny and give it to them.

I would go with refusing to engage, given you're at work. They're fairly provocative statements, and the people making them may well be looking for an argument. At least these colleagues are making it clear what they believe and what they think of women. If it's colleagues senior to you, and if it's widespread I might even consider looking for a new job. That kind of crap would get to me after a while.

"girls have the opportunity to do stem subjects-they make their own minds up, they are just not interested"

Most of my working life I was in very male dominated fields. My experience was marginally better from what I have heard from others, but basically, the atmosphere for women in similar fields borders on the outright hostile. I have heard of some horrendous 'hazing' ("what, can't you take a joke?"). And of course, you always have to hear your own ideas mansplained back to you as 'their idea' about five minutes later. Fun times.

I'm in a tech job, it's some of the youngsters who come up with the stuff. Whilst the seniors are tearing their hair out wanting to increase diversity.

And of course, you always have to hear your own ideas mansplained back to you as 'their idea' about five minutes later. Fun times.

Not to mention being sized up like fresh meat when you first enter the room, and then, should you go out for a beer with them (I'm a serial expat) having to try to walk the line between being friendly, but not so friendly you now have to spend the night politely rebuffing advances.

Having said that, I met DP at work, and had more than one pleasant fling with colleagues too, it's just that as one woman in a department of 30odd men, you rather have a target painted on you.