We need to talk about the out-dated and sexist terms that are firmly placed in our vocabulary when we talk about sex as well as casual sexism in day-to-day life.
Students should take time to consider whether or not they are using derogatory terms in their day-to-day life and learn how to call someone out if they are using wrong language.
The below video MUST BE shown to students! Every student should be encouraged to call out behaviour in their friends. TW: contains swearing and references rape and sexual assault.
Daniel Sloss, comedian giving a TedX talk on someone he knew for eight years that raped one of his friends. He encourages males to talk to their friends about their behaviour towards women. Video contains swearing and references rape.
Credit to JUST via Facebook. This video is available at: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=310823971091542
Students can work through the below worksheets and scenarios to begin conversations on calling out behaviour in friends, family and co workers.
Examples of casual sexism:
- Mansplaining – this is when a man explains something in a condescending way, assuming that the woman is not aware of the information they are sharing. It is very frustrating.
- The waiter handing the food bill to the male. Frustrating on both sides.
- Male strangers calling woman “sweetie” or “darling” or “love”.
- Saying how good a male is for being active in a child’s life when it is expected of women.
- Shaming women for choosing a career over having a baby.
- Claiming a woman is on her period when she is in a bad mood or is angry at someone/something.
- Catcalling or wolf whistling.
- Commenting on a woman’s body and expecting her to take it as a compliment instead of harassment.
- Joking about gender stereotypes and telling women not to get annoyed because ‘it is only a joke’ e.g. women belong in the kitchen, are bad drivers etc.
What can be done to erase casual sexism and out-right inappropriate behaviour?
- CALL OUT THIS BEHAVIOUR IN YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COLLEGUES. Don’t let catcalling or sexist jokes in your friendship group go without someone saying something and calling them out out on inappropriate behaviour.
- Think before you speak.
- Apologise for past behaviour.
- Talk to your female friends and colleagues.
A great way to further explore this topic is with unconscious bias tests. The Implicit Project run by Harvard University have great tests to look at unconscious bias.
Scenarios:
file
Language around sex:
References:
- Akhari, T (2021). 20 examples of Casual Sexism. Available at: https://www.shethepeople.tv/top-stories/opinion/examples-of-casual-sexism-women-face/ Accessed 22 05 22
Generation Feminist 