“Just for the boys?” – what a great headline. And here is the G2 report in today’s Guardian about the dearth of women political bloggers.
I’m amazed that no female Tory politicans have embraced this, that I seem to be their authoritive voice on this subject – and I only started blogging five months ago. I do concur with what Ann Widdicombe says on Iain’s podcast, and the whole culture of blogging is inherent to my personality – but I surely can’t be that scarce a breed.
Here is an interesting extract from the report:
“Georgina Henry, the editor of Comment is free, says the dearth of women who blog about politics reflects the “disproportionately male” world of politics. And the “aggressive” tone of online political debate certainly doesn’t help. There is a particular impatience expressed towards female commentators who blog about political subjects that are considered mostly of interest to other women, such as childcare, work-life balance or raunch culture. “Women who write about the social agenda often get slaughtered,” she says.
“And there is little doubt that this bad-tempered and belligerent tenor of debate puts women off, even those who might be willing to play by the locker-room rules. When blogs were at the margin of political debate, this mattered less, but now that both Labour and the Tories want to use them to reach out to grassroots supporters, it really does.”
I’ve come across a few of these aggressive male bloggers and find them a real turn off, they are not communicating, just verbal bullying. It’s totally arrogant of men to dismiss the views of women who want to discuss life balance issues, juggling work with bringing up the next generation to be happy, healthy, well-adjusted members of society; this should never be undermined.
The report focuses on six os us, including Lynne Featherstone’s blog for the Lib Dems and Antonia Bance, a Labour councillor. This is a thought provoking extract from the F Word blog included in the G2 report:
“Girls in Cameroon are routinely having their breasts beaten and ‘ironed’ by their mothers, in a misguided attempt to prevent them from having sex. This tells a number of stories: first off, never be surprised when humanity comes up with yet another brutal thing to do to girls. But also, proper sex education is the only way forward.” (Jess McCabe, June 23 2006)
*Thanks for this link from the Daily Pundit.
I have only come across a few bullying men. Including the one who sent me an abusive email because I posted something he disagreed with on another blog. It threw me for a few weeks and I did feel nervous about speaking up for a while.
I think because women tend to blog about a variety of issues and the practicalities of politics rather than the theoretical side of policies we are seen as less “serious” as men. I think the only way to get around this is just to keep going and be confident that our views are just as valid as those of anyone else.
Hi Ellee, Louise
Good profile of you (and photo in the print edition!), Ellee.
I have also stopped posting on a couple of blogs because of blustering replies. I’ve better things to do and there are plenty of other places to go for a more reasoned discussion.
Thanks Barbara, and it’s a pleasure having you and Louise visit my site.
There are always so many intersting topics to write about and debate.
Just popping back to comment on the point you highlighted about girls in Cameroon being brutalised by their mothers. It’s strange isn’t it how it is often women who are keen to keep this sort of oppression going- e.g. female circumcision. I think it must be some form of Stockholm Syndrome.
I wonder if anyone here can think of any more subtle examples from our own culture? I quietly seethe if my daughter chews gum (though I try not to say anything) because I think it is “unladylike”.
I totally agree with what you say about chewing gum, it’s so irritating to observe. In fact, I sometimes wonder if it is an affliction/addiction as some people do it from morning to night, their jaws never get a rest.
I have two sons (desperately wanted a daughter)and can’t understand any mothers who would “brutalise” them in any way.
Funny about the gum chewing. Em stopped instantly after the dentist said her jaw muscles were beginning to grow 🙂