Have today’s women got the jump on men?
Women fill the roles of Governor-General, Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Speaker and the heads of our biggest listed company and our second-biggest bank.
Labour MP John Tamihere told Investigate magazine last month that the most powerful network in the ruling party was “the Labour Party wimmin’s division … it’s about an anti-men’s agenda”.
Men, it seems, are reeling from the shock of it. Former Lifeline director Bruce Mackie told a men’s summit at Waitakere this month that more men than women were dying of cancer, heart disease, accidents and suicide because of “a crisis of the spirit”.
When women are throwing themselves off the Sky Tower and into the paid workforce, taking the risks that men used to take, men are left wondering what their role is.
“They are not nurturers any more, and we are not protectors. Everything has changed,” says Father and Child Society president Philip Chapman.
Well, poor old men, you might say. At first sight their complaints look laughable alongside the figures on the next page, showing that, below the very top level of business and politics, men are mostly still in control.
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Technology, economic and demographic forces and official policies are all transforming the roles of men and women faster than men, at least, have kept up with.
Former Women’s Affairs Minister Margaret Shields, who is convening a national women’s convention in Wellington next weekend, says the organisers initially planned a joint conference of men and women to celebrate 30 years of social change since a big United Women’s Convention in 1975.
“But men really weren’t ready,” she says. “On the whole, men haven’t had to be half as reflective as women, because they were kind of in charge.
“I would really welcome similar meetings for men to look at what they see as their vision for society, so we can get further ahead.”
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Women run the country but it doesn’t show in pay packets
Thirty years of feminism have transformed New Zealand, but below the very top level, men remain in charge.
Figures collected for the Weekend Herald by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs show that women have moved into paid work in massive numbers since a United Women’s Convention in Wellington in 1975. Back then, women accounted for 32 per cent of total employment; now it’s almost half (46 per cent).
But when 500 women meet for a new national convention in Wellington next weekend to review 30 years of progress, the score will be mixed.
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Equal Opportunities Commissioner Judy McGregor, a former editor of the Sunday News, said when she looks at her former profession 20 years on, she doesn’t see many more senior women than in her day.
Apart from the Gang of Four at the very top allot of women unlike many men won’t make the necessary sacrifices to get there. It seems some expect work-life balance and stellar careers too. More stupid femthink from the sisters of entitlement.
Comment by Stephen — Tue 31st May 2005 @ 12:52 pm
“I tend to think girls have more brains, so I guess it does surprise me a bit – but they are also braver.”
yeah, right…
Comment by tonyf — Tue 31st May 2005 @ 12:58 pm
Yes women have the jump on men alright in Politics ,however, what is rather distrubing is the high % of top bureaucrat’s who will go thru’life without ever changing a nappy. The feminazi’s hate children and they continue to promote the destruction of the family .
Comment by Peter Burns — Tue 31st May 2005 @ 4:47 pm
Thank you Peter.
About time someone raised the issue of getting some real women into politics.
By “real”, I mean ones who have become pregnant the natural way (no turkey basters involved), carried and then given birth to the baby.
This also implies they are now a Mum with [hopefully] a Dad working with them to raise productive adults.
The anti-Clark and her worshippers (the funny-boys and funny-girls) with their anti-child, anti-parent, anti-family agenda must go.
Bring back our “Family Friendly” New Zealand! Get rid of the anti-Clark and her worshippers!
Comment by Sparx — Thu 2nd June 2005 @ 11:06 am
I found it sooooooooooo ironic when a main speaker at the wimmins conference held this weekend was interviewed for tv news the other night. She was quoted as saying that 30 years ago we fought for choices. 30 years on we are fighting to reduce the costs of having so much choice. Well lady guess what. Most of us in the real world cant have our cake and eat it to, why should you! whats so special about you eh? Oh poor poor wimmin wants a high paying career and a baby or two but finds it hard to balance it all. What more do you want or need for gods sake?
It was sickening to hear her bleating on about the high prices women pay for having so many choices. Someone needs a dose of reality and pretty damn quick.
It was also interesting to read in the Herald about an alternative conference (free) being organised because the avg women could not afford to attend the conference. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm makes you wonder about the type of wimmin running and attending it (not the free one) heads in the clouds anyone??
On a much much lighter note. My parter and I had our second baby over the weekend and the midwife was 15 mins too late as baby was in a real hurry I guess and I delivered my own baby with my partner. WOW!! Go the dad eh??
Comment by Mark Lloyd — Mon 6th June 2005 @ 7:54 pm
congrats Mark. U da man…literally…
Comment by tonyf — Tue 7th June 2005 @ 11:54 am
What a great experience for you Mark! My eldest boy wouldn’t wait for the midwife either. Glad to hear that all went well for you – enjoy being a dad.
Comment by JohnP — Tue 7th June 2005 @ 12:12 pm
Mark,
Congratulations and what an experience! Pleased everything went well and our best wishes to all of your family.
Regards,
Mark Shipman
Comment by Mark Shipman — Tue 7th June 2005 @ 2:38 pm
Another 2 cents…
“It is becoming common now to see women in traditionally male domains such as road work gangs or bus driving.”
In all the time I have worked in construction,general labouring or forrestry, I have never worked with a woman. Not once! I did see a woman working on a roading gang once…she was holding the lollipop sign while the boys were digging their asses off! Chivilry is still alive and well.
Comment by tonyf — Tue 7th June 2005 @ 10:29 pm
Well done Mark!
Congratualtions and blessings on you and your family
Comment by Stephen — Thu 16th June 2005 @ 12:30 pm