Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Sometimes It's Hard To Be A Woman.

Take a look at the Guardian's page of columnists, which features all the regular writers along with their latest columns.

If you break down the demographics there are 12 males and 8 females.

Of the dozen males the topics covered varies from sport to conspiracy theories to the economy. There is quite a substantial range of topics. In contrast the eight female writers cover a slightly different range of subjects:

  • Hadley Freeman complains about the unfair burdens women in show business have to put up with.
  • Barbara Ellen says about the sexist treatment of Andy Murray's mum and the unfair burdens that women in sport endure.
  •  Zoe Williams writes about the royal family- while noting that "that squeamishness around discussing the female pudenda is rooted in a deeper hatred of women"
So three of the eight writing about how hard it is to be a woman.

On the front page of the Guardian's Comment Is Free section there are ten articles by women, including the one by Hadley Freeman. Others include:
  •  Rhiannon Cosslett on the unfair burdens of a female royal.
  • Ellie Cosgrave on sexual assault (an admittedly more serious issue than the other).
  •  Nancy Cohen on women voters and the "Tsunami of anti-woman legislation".
Two of the other pieces are by ethnic minority women talking about the unfair burdens of being black.

So out of 17 different female writers, 6 are writing about sexism and 2 about racism. It seems that almost half the output of female columnists is self obsessed identity politics.

8 comments:

JuliaM said...

"So out of 17 different female writers, 6 are writing about sexism and 2 about racism. It seems that almost half the output of female columnists is self obsessed identity politics."

I'm shocked it's not 100%. Some days, it sure feels like it!

Ross said...

I suppose Polly Toynbee usually writes about something else.

Ross said...

My mistake, her latest post is about the ordeal of women over 50.

James Higham said...

I'll have to practise it sometime.

Dave H said...

Good grief. If Guardian-mentality were to be translated into actual power the country would be in serious trouble.

Quentin said...

Fantastic!

Mark Wadsworth said...

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/international/russia-just-so-gay-2013081678730

Anonymous said...

http://newsthump.com/2013/08/16/putin-looks-coyly-into-camera-and-takes-off-shirt-to-criticise-homosexuality/

Mark Wadsworth