Gender equality in New Zealand
#1
Gender equality in New Zealand
Bad news for women:
Linky.
However thanks to TVNZs public broadcasting service the number of women represented on bachelor related telly programs is still high. Can't blame a public broadcaster for perpetuating an ideal with a reality show though can we?
This has to be one of the most baffling aspects of New Zealand society. We where the first to perpetuate universal suffrage for women but maybe we...haven't kept pace with other developed countries. I don't know how or why (?) we are failing but this will cost New Zealand in the long term however.
New Zealand placed 28th out of the 35 countries surveyed for gender representation in business leadership...Once positioned as a world leader, New Zealand’s fall from the top has been significant.
However thanks to TVNZs public broadcasting service the number of women represented on bachelor related telly programs is still high. Can't blame a public broadcaster for perpetuating an ideal with a reality show though can we?
This has to be one of the most baffling aspects of New Zealand society. We where the first to perpetuate universal suffrage for women but maybe we...haven't kept pace with other developed countries. I don't know how or why (?) we are failing but this will cost New Zealand in the long term however.
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Gender equality in New Zealand
It's still the dark ages in a lot of places unfortunately. I was talking with someone recently about an upcoming vacancy in my workplace and sounding them out with a view to maybe applying for the role - that conversation ended pretty quickly and my interest soon disappeared when the conversation took a rather unexpected line of enquiry into my lack of family and 'family planning' arrangement for the future. FFS
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2014
Location: North Canterbury
Posts: 487
Re: Gender equality in New Zealand
Our company is completely different to this, of the 6 IT departments we have, 4 of them are managed by women
However, I recently read the comments in Stuff (always worth a laugh) about the maternity pay and some of them summed up the attitude shown here. There was one commentator in particular that made me laugh... He never employs women because they'll go on maternity leave and he doesn't care about discrimination as its impossible to show. Of course, 90% of the comments were all 'why do I pay taxes for benefit breeders' or 'it should be banned as we never got that in 1784'.
NZ behind in paid parental leave | Stuff.co.nz
It's commentator is Greenie Mocker - best one I read on there
This country needs a Margaret Thatcher. A powerful female that isn't prepared to accept rubbish and sort out some of the deluded stuck in 1869 morons that populate this country. The year is 2015 now, we should be embracing equality not preventing it because Mrs lady may have a kid or mrs lady may not be able to come into work because of sick child or any other deluded excuse they have.
However, I recently read the comments in Stuff (always worth a laugh) about the maternity pay and some of them summed up the attitude shown here. There was one commentator in particular that made me laugh... He never employs women because they'll go on maternity leave and he doesn't care about discrimination as its impossible to show. Of course, 90% of the comments were all 'why do I pay taxes for benefit breeders' or 'it should be banned as we never got that in 1784'.
NZ behind in paid parental leave | Stuff.co.nz
It's commentator is Greenie Mocker - best one I read on there
This country needs a Margaret Thatcher. A powerful female that isn't prepared to accept rubbish and sort out some of the deluded stuck in 1869 morons that populate this country. The year is 2015 now, we should be embracing equality not preventing it because Mrs lady may have a kid or mrs lady may not be able to come into work because of sick child or any other deluded excuse they have.
#4
Re: Gender equality in New Zealand
Yeah, Mrs T did wonders for equality.
As for the rest of the comment, does Greenie realise how completely contradictory his comment is? I've read it twice now and I'm still bemused by the fact that having a sick child is a 'deluded excuse'
Must admit I have never had any discrimination over my gender [that I realised anyway] in the UK or here. My job used to be almost 100% male but things were changing as I started out working and it is now mostly female. Even the traditional 'male' parts of the job cannot discriminate as often the employer has no option
As a petite 5'2" female I can only remember one very elderly Yorkshire farmer openly expressing doubts at my chances of completing a job requiring heavy lifting and stamina. 20mins later I was washing my hands! Funny to think that many would ask for me or be pleased it was me and not one of the males as I had 'thin arms' I thought I would have to prove myself more than I did just because of my sex and size!
As for the rest of the comment, does Greenie realise how completely contradictory his comment is? I've read it twice now and I'm still bemused by the fact that having a sick child is a 'deluded excuse'
Must admit I have never had any discrimination over my gender [that I realised anyway] in the UK or here. My job used to be almost 100% male but things were changing as I started out working and it is now mostly female. Even the traditional 'male' parts of the job cannot discriminate as often the employer has no option
As a petite 5'2" female I can only remember one very elderly Yorkshire farmer openly expressing doubts at my chances of completing a job requiring heavy lifting and stamina. 20mins later I was washing my hands! Funny to think that many would ask for me or be pleased it was me and not one of the males as I had 'thin arms' I thought I would have to prove myself more than I did just because of my sex and size!
#5
Re: Gender equality in New Zealand
It's still the dark ages in a lot of places unfortunately. I was talking with someone recently about an upcoming vacancy in my workplace and sounding them out with a view to maybe applying for the role - that conversation ended pretty quickly and my interest soon disappeared when the conversation took a rather unexpected line of enquiry into my lack of family and 'family planning' arrangement for the future. FFS
I'd have asked him the same questions back to make a point. It's bad enough if potential employers think they have to right to ask but for someone being hired...words fail me! NZ obviously has a long way to go...
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Gender equality in New Zealand
What have your family arrangements got to do with someone you are thinking of hiring? Or was he [and I assume it was a he] was thinking that he might have to do your work whilst you did female things like have children, get your nails done and worry about what you were going to cook for the man of the house that night etc.
Erm yeah, I suppose it might be a real concern if I were 20 years younger and my baby making facilities weren't due for retirement.
The comments on paid parental leave astound me Tom H; apparently we should all be doing the hard yards, giving birth in a paddock and back to work the next day. What price progress, eh, every man for himself and that prevailing selfish 'stuff you' I'm alright attitude comes to the fore.
Instead of encouraging the lesser off to have children, and carrying them all the way, why not look at ways to encourage the better off families to have kids? - they dont need the handouts but tend to be the ones who have less kids if at all, and the gene pool tends to be better...
Shouldn't we be proud that NZ expects parents to take responsibility for their kids faster than other countries?
#7
Re: Gender equality in New Zealand
Thanks for sharing Bo. Obviously it upset you a lot (quite rightly as it was appalling behaviour), have you ever been tempted to move to somewhere you are judged on your skill and diligent efforts? In other words have you considered switching employers to ensure you are more fairly treated?
What is it about New Zealand management culture specifically however that promulgates this glass ceiling effect? We have and have had some great female executives as well as women occupying executive offices of government.
Also I learned many years ago never to read the comments sections under articles or videos as it increases my misanthropic tendencies .
What is it about New Zealand management culture specifically however that promulgates this glass ceiling effect? We have and have had some great female executives as well as women occupying executive offices of government.
Also I learned many years ago never to read the comments sections under articles or videos as it increases my misanthropic tendencies .
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Gender equality in New Zealand
Thanks for sharing Bo. Obviously it upset you a lot (quite rightly as it was appalling behaviour), have you ever been tempted to move to somewhere you are judged on your skill and diligent efforts? In other words have you considered switching employers to ensure you are more fairly treated?
NZ prides itself on being the un-PC haven of the world and many sanction and applaud such behaviours and freedom to say as they choose - why else would we have Paul Henry back on Breakfast telly?
#9
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Joined: Oct 2014
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Posts: 487
Re: Gender equality in New Zealand
I am a bit too old to be upset by it as such - there are similar a-holes in every office and skin has thickened somewhat towards the notable lack of any tact or diplomacy here. Had it been someone in the UK I feel sure I could have taken it higher and received support to do something about it but here it seems a losing battle, we're dealing with the harden-up brigade and nobody cares and nobody is going to listen.
NZ prides itself on being the un-PC haven of the world and many sanction and applaud such behaviours and freedom to say as they choose - why else would we have Paul Henry back on Breakfast telly?
NZ prides itself on being the un-PC haven of the world and many sanction and applaud such behaviours and freedom to say as they choose - why else would we have Paul Henry back on Breakfast telly?
#10
Re: Gender equality in New Zealand
Wow, Bo, that's even worse than I imagined from your first post. Glad I've never had to deal with any of that at work.
I sometimes think that we just have to accept that there will always be those who don't understand the concept of equality or treating women as equals. That sort of attitude will take a long time to die out. Confront it when it occurs-the problem is doing it in a way that means they can't just write 'the little woman' off as hysterical
That has just reminded me of a recent trip to get two pieces of metal removed from a tyre and the punctures sealed. My tyre was flat so I'd put the spare on. Yes, me, not the husband! I pointed out the two affected areas and said that I'd prefer to replace the wheel as garages always overtightened them. He replied 'Well, we wouldn't want the wheel to fly off when you're driving, would we'. Cue angry glare and a hissed 'No I wouldn't'. I decided it was best to ignore the desire to hit him over the head with a torque wrench...
Glad I did replace it myself when I checked the wheel at home and there was still one piece of metal in it....If he'd done it I'd have got a flat and probably have had to change the wheel somewhere less safe than my driveway
I sometimes think that we just have to accept that there will always be those who don't understand the concept of equality or treating women as equals. That sort of attitude will take a long time to die out. Confront it when it occurs-the problem is doing it in a way that means they can't just write 'the little woman' off as hysterical
That has just reminded me of a recent trip to get two pieces of metal removed from a tyre and the punctures sealed. My tyre was flat so I'd put the spare on. Yes, me, not the husband! I pointed out the two affected areas and said that I'd prefer to replace the wheel as garages always overtightened them. He replied 'Well, we wouldn't want the wheel to fly off when you're driving, would we'. Cue angry glare and a hissed 'No I wouldn't'. I decided it was best to ignore the desire to hit him over the head with a torque wrench...
Glad I did replace it myself when I checked the wheel at home and there was still one piece of metal in it....If he'd done it I'd have got a flat and probably have had to change the wheel somewhere less safe than my driveway