BBC - Blurred Lines: The New Battle of the Sexes

From the BBC, this is an interesting look at the new culture of misogyny, "whether there's a new culture abroad in which it's acceptable to write about, talk about, and feature women in a sexually offensive, even abusive way. Or whether the female of the species just needs to 'man up', learn to enjoy a gag, and get used to the 21st century world." This is not only a British issue, as it seems maybe worse in the U.S.

Blurred Lines: The New Battle of the Sexes

Published on May 9, 2014
Blurred Lines: The New Battle of the Sexes - BBC Documentary, 2014

From bomb threats sent to campaigners for more females on banknotes to sexually explicit pop videos. From extreme laddism at universities to rape jokes in the school yard... Kirsty Wark explores whether there's a new culture abroad in which it's acceptable to write about, talk about, and feature women in a sexually offensive, even abusive way. Or whether the female of the species just needs to 'man up', learn to enjoy a gag, and get used to the 21st century world.

Kirsty Wark also participated in a Twitter question and answer session, the product of which is presented below.

Your questions to Kirsty Wark

 

Kirsty Wark held a Twitter Q&A on sexism and misogyny

How have men's attitudes towards women changed? Is the internet a naturally hostile place for women?

The BBC's Kirsty Wark answered your questions in a live Twitter Q&A on Friday 9 May.

This is an edited version of the session.

Question from @NUS_Vonnie: Where did the idea come from that "Freedom of Speech" means freedom to say things with no consequences?
Kirsty answers: Civil society evolved over centuries-the internet just decades. Need a web conduct code that's not censorious but courteous

Will Blaik emails: Is the increased misogyny that we see a reaction to misandry?
Kirsty answers: I'm not sure that misandry is as entrenched and overt as misogyny. I think it's more complicated than a simple reaction

Question from @dotluckhurst: Is it possible to change attitudes? Parents & schools must act more urgently.
Kirsty answers: Action in schools is the great hope because it's this generation who are growing up online. Schools must talk about it.

Chris emails: Can we encourage teenagers and young people to know, care and understand others around them?
Kirsty answers: I think many young people do care for those around them. But the pressures on them, eg from porn, are phenomenal

Question from @AliceBand1: I am so shocked by Grand Theft Auto. Shocked to the core. How is this allowed to exist?
Kirsty answers: It's perfectly legal. We asked Rockstar to take part but they declined. Why don't you write to them and ask?!

Question from @_raymatthew: Why do parents allow their children to "play" computer games that show rape?
Kirsty answers: Many parents just don't know what's in these games.They need to talk to kids; the activity needs to come out the bedroom

Question from @thegreenelk: It's a mistake to tie increase in misogyny with growth of internet - think it started with rap lyrics
Kirsty answers: Misogyny has been around probably as long as men and women! But certainly rap music language should be part of the debate

Andrew Soule emails: Women say they prefer male bosses & are derogatory towards females. Do women hold themselves back?
Kirsty answers: Sexism and misogyny is a mind-set not a gender. Sometimes women don't realise that they've internalised prejudice.

Question from @thinkingmuslim: Did you toy with the idea that the internet has its own culture & its misogyny doesn't enter real world?
Kirsty answers: The internet does have its own culture, but it's one that spill[s] into the real world. For young people it is the real world

Question from @Charlesknight: Why was the show entirely white?
Kirsty answers: Noted - misogyny affects women of all colours and creeds. Women of colour can experience an additional layer of prejudice

Question from @Jillaclogs: Do you think children's access to smartphones should be regulated? So many beartraps!
Kirsty answers: Certainly could be parental controls for pre-teens, but parents need to learn to use smartphones better than their kids!

Question from @louisegrant21: Has making #blurredlines made you more worried about misogyny or more hopeful it will die out?
Kirsty answers: The young women we spoke to who are standing up to sexism and misogyny makes me hopeful. They have real energy and purpose

Question from @julieohara79: Was excellent, any chance of a series?
Kirsty answers: Glad you enjoyed the documentary. The decision on a series is above our pay-grade!

Kirsty ends: Thanks for all your questions and comments. Sorry I couldn't answer all of them. Great to have the discussion. Newsnight calls!

For more tweets from Kirsty Wark you can follow her Twitter account.
Kirsty examined these issues in the BBC2 programme Blurred Lines: The New Battle of the Sexes. Twitter Q&A produced by Andree Massiah