Australian news anchor, Karl Stefanovic, conducted his own social experiment in an attempt to prove his theory that sexism maintains its menacing grip on women in the workforce.
As the co-host of the morning news show “Today,” he noticed that he is criticized for the way in which he conducts interviews, for his crude humor and for his overall quality of news casting, while his co-anchor Lisa Wilkinson is chiefly provided with unsolicited fashion advice and snide criticisms regarding her outer appearance.
Stefanovic’s experiment involved wearing the same blue suit coat on air, every day for an entire year, with a couple of exceptions due to extenuating circumstances.
He wanted to test whether or not men face the same microscopic scrutiny that women do and his hypothesis was correct. Nobody said a word about his fashion
faux paus.
When I first came across this story, I was more than ready to jump on the feminist bandwagon with
guns blazing.
I was ready to stand with the multitude of other women who, after reading the same story, would surely feel the bitter contempt of feminine oppression and demand once more the equal treatment of men and women.
After all, why was Mr. Stefanovic’s performance evaluated based on his professional skills, while his female co-host was judged based on her hair style?
But then it dawned on me — it is other women who I envision standing together to change the course of action in our misogynistic society, but it is other women who are perpetuating this very form of sexism.
Although I do not have the facts and data to prove this theory, I would be willing to bet that it is entirely women viewers who scrutinize Ms. Wilkinson’s outer appearance so closely and with
such contempt.
It is women viewers who reduce Ms. Wilkinson to an object to be stared at, scoffed at and ridiculed.
Although I applaud Mr. Stefanovic’s efforts and overall awareness of such an important issue, I would venture to guess that a traditional dark blue suit would slip under many people’s radars, even when worn daily.
However, his social experiment does bring to light a very important issue: sexism is sexism, no matter the
perpetrator.
While Ms. Wilkinson is fortunate to work with a man who is interested in fighting for equality and the fair treatment of women, he is not confronting misogynistic men.
He is confronting other women and this reveals another discouraging facet of sexism.
In most cases, I believe criticism of others stems from inner feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
Perhaps women take to the internet to anonymously attack Ms. Wilkinson because they feel threatened by her outer appearance in the event that they find her attractive or by the position that she maintains on live television.
Perhaps women are envious of her career as a journalist and television presenter or of her social influence on the “Today” show.
Regardless of the reasoning, the act itself in
inexcusable.
As we push forward to the year 2015, women have undoubtedly come a long way in regards to exercising their rights, experiencing equality and receiving fair treatment from their male counterparts.
But true equality will never be achieved if women themselves continue to practice sexism through discrimination, prejudice and the malicious hatred of other females.
Many women dream of the day in which they will work alongside men, earning the same wages and receiving the same fair treatment.
Unfortunately, many women also dream of the day in which they will receive the appropriate support and praise from their
fellow woman.
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