University politics seminars are a breeding ground for chauvinism
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Version 0 of 1. Female students, myself included, are constantly belittled in politics seminar discussions. A fear of provoking a reaction means some even refuse to take part at all. I often experience sexism in class, with male peers calling me ‘feisty’ or ‘aggressive’ – usually just for disagreeing “Politics seminars are always dominated by opinionated males,” says Connie Basnette, a politics student at Lancaster University. “I feel intimidated in open discussions and in some cases male students have reacted aggressively to my opinion – more so than if a guy had said the same thing.” Sometimes the chauvinism is even more blatant, says Claire Gillespie, a politics and international relations graduate at the University of Bath. “I often experience sexism in class, with male peers referring to me as ‘feisty’ or ‘aggressive’ – usually just for disagreeing with their points.” As a joint history and politics major, I have noticed a vast difference between the two seminars. History is a quiet affair, with most students joining in and respecting each others opinions. But in politics a dominant group of three or four strong-headed males control the discussions, bouncing off each other’s egos and pouncing on other members of the class. A friend of mine who is dyslexic was mocked by a group of males who picked up on every spelling and grammar mistake made while she was writing on the whiteboard. Politics has traditionally been dominated by men, and today, only 148 of the 650 British MPs are female. However university politics classes show there is plenty of appetite among women for the subject. Although the number of men studying politics degrees has exceeded women every year from 2007-2013, the numbers are now almost equal; 3,175 males and 3,160 females were accepted on politics courses in 2014, according to Ucas. But the boys club environment which dominates university politics could put women off considering a political career. Related: Do men control the key student societies at university? “Professionally, I would steer clear from a career in politics because it still seems like it is packed with rich middle class boys who speak with the right accent and can argue you down,” says Anna-Rose Kilpatrick, a student at Lancaster University. Gillespie says she took a job in politics after completing her undergraduate degree, but says she was dreading the position: “After being continually silenced in the politics seminar environment, I thought it would be even worse outside of education. Fortunately I have never experienced anything like it in the workplace.” Many women who study politics are already experiencing House of Commons style jeers and shut downs in response to their opinions. Students need to remember there is a difference between having a lively seminar debate and ganging up on women in order to silence them entirely. Related: What happened when I started a feminist society at school NUS women’s officer, Susuana Antubam, says: “Women should be given every right to express their opinions and views in academia. Nobody should feel diminished, or disrespected on campus, and it is vital that behaviour like this is challenged. “Institutions keep saying that there is no fear, no intimidation and no problem. But they must acknowledge the problems and confront them.” Keep up with the latest on Guardian Students: follow us on Twitter at @GdnStudents – and become a member to receive exclusive benefits and our weekly newsletter. |