Comments on: The number of female MPs http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/2008/06/number-of-female-mps.htm Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:02:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Karl Marx http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/2008/06/number-of-female-mps.htm/comment-page-1#comment-8492 Karl Marx Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:32:42 +0000 http://localhost/wp28/?p=1777#comment-8492 Why? What are the barriers that women face to entering and contributing to Parliament? Well – there are obviously issues such as those around affordable, flexible childcare; a problem that many women face when juggling a career and their family, not just MPs. (Yes, it’s an issue that men face too, but disproportionately the care burdens fall on women – and so have much more of an impact on their careers). ------ I have a simple answer to the issue of affordable childcare that disproportionately affects women; enforce EQUALITY in the 'family courts'. This way, more men will be 'burdened' with the children leaving feminist minded women free to pursue their monetary goals. This can also be achieved through educating women - not just men - that men are good parents and deserve as much time with their children as the women do. Currently, our system constantly reminds fathers that they are useless. So-called 'family' courts do this, government policies do this, paternity-leave that hinges on the woman's good-will does this, and so on and so on. And in addition to the 'barriers' that women face, allow me to add one more. Instead of assuming it's always somehow a man's fault - look at women and ask them directly why they are not *choosing* to pursue these careers. Hold women accountable for their own actions - blaming men is not the answer to every problem women face. Why? What are the barriers that women face to entering and contributing to Parliament? Well – there are obviously issues such as those around affordable, flexible childcare; a problem that many women face when juggling a career and their family, not just MPs. (Yes, it’s an issue that men face too, but disproportionately the care burdens fall on women – and so have much more of an impact on their careers).
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I have a simple answer to the issue of affordable childcare that disproportionately affects women; enforce EQUALITY in the ‘family courts’. This way, more men will be ‘burdened’ with the children leaving feminist minded women free to pursue their monetary goals.

This can also be achieved through educating women – not just men – that men are good parents and deserve as much time with their children as the women do. Currently, our system constantly reminds fathers that they are useless. So-called ‘family’ courts do this, government policies do this, paternity-leave that hinges on the woman’s good-will does this, and so on and so on.

And in addition to the ‘barriers’ that women face, allow me to add one more. Instead of assuming it’s always somehow a man’s fault – look at women and ask them directly why they are not *choosing* to pursue these careers. Hold women accountable for their own actions – blaming men is not the answer to every problem women face.

]]> By: Jennie http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org/2008/06/number-of-female-mps.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1182 Jennie Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:41:00 +0000 http://localhost/wp28/?p=1777#comment-1182 "It is sadly still the case in politics as it is in so many areas of life for women, that it’s all about what a woman wears, or indeed doesn’t wear, rather than what comes out of her mouth. For example when Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, gave her first statement in the House of Commons about the terror attacks on Glasgow Airport, some in the media seemed to be far more concerned with how much cleavage she was showing, instead of what she actually had to say."<br/><br/>William Hague's Baseball Cap. Ken Clarke's Hush puppies. David Cameron's Hair.<br/><br/>Lots of male politicians get this treatment too.<br/><br/>I think transferrable (paid) maternity leave would possibly have saved my relationship when I was with my little one's dad, though. He'd have loved to be a househusband, but we just couldn't afford it. “It is sadly still the case in politics as it is in so many areas of life for women, that it’s all about what a woman wears, or indeed doesn’t wear, rather than what comes out of her mouth. For example when Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, gave her first statement in the House of Commons about the terror attacks on Glasgow Airport, some in the media seemed to be far more concerned with how much cleavage she was showing, instead of what she actually had to say.”

William Hague’s Baseball Cap. Ken Clarke’s Hush puppies. David Cameron’s Hair.

Lots of male politicians get this treatment too.

I think transferrable (paid) maternity leave would possibly have saved my relationship when I was with my little one’s dad, though. He’d have loved to be a househusband, but we just couldn’t afford it.

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