“[FEMINISM IS] MORE THAN JUST EQUAL RIGHTS, IT’S ABOUT CHANGING A SITUATION."
When Rosalind Brunt first brought MA Women’s Studies to Sheffield Hallam University in the 1970s, she was belittled for teaching a ‘trivial’ subject. She tells Victoria Collins about the feminism movement, women’s rights and how she made a name for women in communication studies.
When I sit down to meet Rosalind Brunt, I know immediately that it will be an interesting interview. Her bold leopard print coat exemplifying her individuality and highlighted how significant she is. And, at 69, she has spent more than half her life campaigning and bringing justice for women.
She founded the first MA in Women's Studies at a UK polytechnic. She still teaches and researches mainly in the areas of popular culture and media studies.
It was back in the seventies when Rosalind Brunt first defined herself as a feminist by definition of the word and understood how important it was to fight for equal rights and more.
“Back then we didn’t use the term feminist; we called ourselves women’s libbers,” she says.
“Even though we didn’t like the term women’s libbers, we were a bit stuck for a name. ‘Feminist’ was seen more as middle class women who just wanted equal rights. This was women’s liberation who wanted much more than that.”
Women’s Liberation consisted of groups of people who would campaign for improvements on issues such as domestic violence, maternity leave, reproductive rights, equal pay, sexual harassment and women's suffrage.
“The exciting thing about the Seventies was that there were various different types of feminism. It no longer became a movement, and part of its success was that it went into institutions,” Brunt says.
The movement brought recognition to various issues that would mainly affect women; one in particular was domestic violence. “The big thing was the battered wives campaign. Refuges for battered wives were set up and then that became an institution which focused on domestic abuse,” she says.
“Women were the first to say that this abuse which happens in private has to stop. We’ve got to set up refuges for battered wives. It was set up by local women, it then became institutionalised and you could put money towards it. It started to get domestic abuse recognised by the government, local authorities and charities.”
The exact definition of feminism is equal rights for both sexes. Brunt and her colleagues wanted so much more than that. They wanted the opinions of women to matter and to change things.
“It was about saying ‘Yes we have a different perspective’. The fact that women’s history and women’s experiences are different from men’s. We have something to offer, we come from a different place than men do, our history is different, therefore we can see things and contribute in a different way,” she says.
As someone who wanted to bring female faces into higher education and allow women to have the choices to succeed, she was the first female course leader at Sheffield Hallam University back when it was called Sheffield Polytechnic.
“My thing in the eighties was to bring feminism into Sheffield Hallam University. I set up an MA in Women Studies, which at first was incredibly controversial.”
“I was recruited then to set up a communications degree which was the first in the country. Before this we did a Polycert course on women and communication.”
As the only female in an all-male department, she would often face exclusion and be the brunt of sexist remarks. She says, “A man I worked with famously mocked [the course] in this place by saying ‘You may as well teach budgerigar studies’ – implying it’s just a trivial thing to do. I fought very hard to learn how to work within the institution, which was done very successfully and it was the first women’s studies MA in the polytechnic sector.”
“There was only one other MA in women studies at the other universities. So it was quite a landmark thing,” she adds.
She found the lack of women in the department odd. “Just in terms of numbers, when I first came here I was the only woman.” She says.
“I don’t think you could’ve been at work [in higher education] without experiencing sexism.
“There was only one man I shared a room with who talked to me like an ordinary person. It was very, very strange.
“It was almost as if I was excluded, from the sort of social aspect, the men would interact and mainly discuss hifis – this is how long ago it was, back when there were gramophones,” she jokes.
As a whole, it was a very male dominated institution which needed an injection of the feminism movement. “You’d walk down the corridor and most of the lecturers were men and the students we taught were mainly men. The big subjects were science and engineering and those subjects in particular were almost exclusively taught by men. In communication, I was the only woman.”
Two years later, when another woman was brought in, in the same area of Media Studies, Brunt thought there would be an improvement. Instead a different type of sexism emerged. “We were the only two women [in this department]. We got on really well and the rest of the men would call us ‘the media studies’ ladies’. They would also call me by her name and her by mine – even though they knew me first. Because we were seen as interchangeable, we were seen as ‘the women’.”
As the years went on, she believes they were included more into the department. “It improved a few years later. There were several other men who weren’t like that and we sort of joined forces with them. They had experienced, by living with feminists, what it was like, so they knew the score and they did treat us like ordinary colleagues.
“But then we were seen by the original men as subversive,” she adds.
The MA in Women’s Studies was the first time women had a profile in the place. From then on things did start to improve. “In the mid-eighties the Principal of the Polytechnic set up a committee called ‘The Place of Women in the Polytechnic’. He was very good at bringing certain things about women into the institution.
“So for instance, the technicians would have their pornographic calendars on the walls of their office and he would walk in and say ‘this is unacceptable’. It was very good that he - as the Principal - walked in. He took it away from the women having to deal with this kinda thing.
“So I think we did make a huge impact.”
It was in the Nineties that even though Women’s Studies had helped improve the status of women in higher education, these same women no longer wanted the course to be called ‘Women Studies’. “Women wanted it changed to ‘Gender Studies’.”
“So that was me and other women, coming from women’s liberation and working here as young lecturers, developing women’s studies as an academic subject.”
So does Brunt, as a woman who has focused her attention on the progressive state of women think the way women are treated had improved?
She believes feminism as a movement has changed over the years. “I think part of its success is that it stopped being a movement. In the Seventies especially, there emerged a big division between those who called themselves Socialist feminists and those who called themselves Radical feminists, who believed patriarchy was the real thing to fight against. Men were not necessarily the enemy but that’s the thing we should focus on. Whereas Socialist feminists believed that it was more than that: it was also about the state of the world.
“It also used to be quite unfashionable to call yourself a feminist in the Eighties, especially amongst younger women. What I think is very exciting now as an old feminist is to see young women getting involved in things like Everyday Sexism.”
In terms of sexism, she believes things may not have necessarily improved, but that gender discrimination is certainly more visible. “Laura Bates, one of the founders of Everyday Sexism, said about things that happen on the tube. Men exposing themselves and rubbing up against women and things, they had a torrent and I think she was blown away by the responses.
“And certainly, in terms of the underground, you hear that they’ve stepped up policing of the underground. They’ve said that all women must report.”
What has emerged within the past year is women who are stepping forward and coming out as feminists. Celebrities especially (Beyoncé, Emma Watson, Tina Fey) have jumped on this ‘trend’ which has encouraged a younger generation of women to also label themselves as feminists.
The fight for women’s rights is still apparent and needed. In some ways Rosalind Brunt believes the Seventies feminists have failed in their goals because women are still fighting for the same causes. “It’s sad to see women still having to attack what we were attacking 40 years ago.”
“There’s still Page 3 in The Sun and in some ways sexism has got worse because, before Everyday Sexism was introduced, we thought things were improving. And it’s quite shocking to see what other women have had to put up with on social media.”
“But there’s a tax on women to stand up and say things. So I think it’s very exciting to see that energy there and that women are saying ‘No we’re not putting up with this.’
“What’s good about anything that feminism does is that it brings issues to the surface.
“There is absolutely still a need for feminism.”
When I sit down to meet Rosalind Brunt, I know immediately that it will be an interesting interview. Her bold leopard print coat exemplifying her individuality and highlighted how significant she is. And, at 69, she has spent more than half her life campaigning and bringing justice for women.
She founded the first MA in Women's Studies at a UK polytechnic. She still teaches and researches mainly in the areas of popular culture and media studies.
It was back in the seventies when Rosalind Brunt first defined herself as a feminist by definition of the word and understood how important it was to fight for equal rights and more.
“Back then we didn’t use the term feminist; we called ourselves women’s libbers,” she says.
“Even though we didn’t like the term women’s libbers, we were a bit stuck for a name. ‘Feminist’ was seen more as middle class women who just wanted equal rights. This was women’s liberation who wanted much more than that.”
Women’s Liberation consisted of groups of people who would campaign for improvements on issues such as domestic violence, maternity leave, reproductive rights, equal pay, sexual harassment and women's suffrage.
“The exciting thing about the Seventies was that there were various different types of feminism. It no longer became a movement, and part of its success was that it went into institutions,” Brunt says.
The movement brought recognition to various issues that would mainly affect women; one in particular was domestic violence. “The big thing was the battered wives campaign. Refuges for battered wives were set up and then that became an institution which focused on domestic abuse,” she says.
“Women were the first to say that this abuse which happens in private has to stop. We’ve got to set up refuges for battered wives. It was set up by local women, it then became institutionalised and you could put money towards it. It started to get domestic abuse recognised by the government, local authorities and charities.”
The exact definition of feminism is equal rights for both sexes. Brunt and her colleagues wanted so much more than that. They wanted the opinions of women to matter and to change things.
“It was about saying ‘Yes we have a different perspective’. The fact that women’s history and women’s experiences are different from men’s. We have something to offer, we come from a different place than men do, our history is different, therefore we can see things and contribute in a different way,” she says.
As someone who wanted to bring female faces into higher education and allow women to have the choices to succeed, she was the first female course leader at Sheffield Hallam University back when it was called Sheffield Polytechnic.
“My thing in the eighties was to bring feminism into Sheffield Hallam University. I set up an MA in Women Studies, which at first was incredibly controversial.”
“I was recruited then to set up a communications degree which was the first in the country. Before this we did a Polycert course on women and communication.”
As the only female in an all-male department, she would often face exclusion and be the brunt of sexist remarks. She says, “A man I worked with famously mocked [the course] in this place by saying ‘You may as well teach budgerigar studies’ – implying it’s just a trivial thing to do. I fought very hard to learn how to work within the institution, which was done very successfully and it was the first women’s studies MA in the polytechnic sector.”
“There was only one other MA in women studies at the other universities. So it was quite a landmark thing,” she adds.
She found the lack of women in the department odd. “Just in terms of numbers, when I first came here I was the only woman.” She says.
“I don’t think you could’ve been at work [in higher education] without experiencing sexism.
“There was only one man I shared a room with who talked to me like an ordinary person. It was very, very strange.
“It was almost as if I was excluded, from the sort of social aspect, the men would interact and mainly discuss hifis – this is how long ago it was, back when there were gramophones,” she jokes.
As a whole, it was a very male dominated institution which needed an injection of the feminism movement. “You’d walk down the corridor and most of the lecturers were men and the students we taught were mainly men. The big subjects were science and engineering and those subjects in particular were almost exclusively taught by men. In communication, I was the only woman.”
Two years later, when another woman was brought in, in the same area of Media Studies, Brunt thought there would be an improvement. Instead a different type of sexism emerged. “We were the only two women [in this department]. We got on really well and the rest of the men would call us ‘the media studies’ ladies’. They would also call me by her name and her by mine – even though they knew me first. Because we were seen as interchangeable, we were seen as ‘the women’.”
As the years went on, she believes they were included more into the department. “It improved a few years later. There were several other men who weren’t like that and we sort of joined forces with them. They had experienced, by living with feminists, what it was like, so they knew the score and they did treat us like ordinary colleagues.
“But then we were seen by the original men as subversive,” she adds.
The MA in Women’s Studies was the first time women had a profile in the place. From then on things did start to improve. “In the mid-eighties the Principal of the Polytechnic set up a committee called ‘The Place of Women in the Polytechnic’. He was very good at bringing certain things about women into the institution.
“So for instance, the technicians would have their pornographic calendars on the walls of their office and he would walk in and say ‘this is unacceptable’. It was very good that he - as the Principal - walked in. He took it away from the women having to deal with this kinda thing.
“So I think we did make a huge impact.”
It was in the Nineties that even though Women’s Studies had helped improve the status of women in higher education, these same women no longer wanted the course to be called ‘Women Studies’. “Women wanted it changed to ‘Gender Studies’.”
“So that was me and other women, coming from women’s liberation and working here as young lecturers, developing women’s studies as an academic subject.”
So does Brunt, as a woman who has focused her attention on the progressive state of women think the way women are treated had improved?
She believes feminism as a movement has changed over the years. “I think part of its success is that it stopped being a movement. In the Seventies especially, there emerged a big division between those who called themselves Socialist feminists and those who called themselves Radical feminists, who believed patriarchy was the real thing to fight against. Men were not necessarily the enemy but that’s the thing we should focus on. Whereas Socialist feminists believed that it was more than that: it was also about the state of the world.
“It also used to be quite unfashionable to call yourself a feminist in the Eighties, especially amongst younger women. What I think is very exciting now as an old feminist is to see young women getting involved in things like Everyday Sexism.”
In terms of sexism, she believes things may not have necessarily improved, but that gender discrimination is certainly more visible. “Laura Bates, one of the founders of Everyday Sexism, said about things that happen on the tube. Men exposing themselves and rubbing up against women and things, they had a torrent and I think she was blown away by the responses.
“And certainly, in terms of the underground, you hear that they’ve stepped up policing of the underground. They’ve said that all women must report.”
What has emerged within the past year is women who are stepping forward and coming out as feminists. Celebrities especially (Beyoncé, Emma Watson, Tina Fey) have jumped on this ‘trend’ which has encouraged a younger generation of women to also label themselves as feminists.
The fight for women’s rights is still apparent and needed. In some ways Rosalind Brunt believes the Seventies feminists have failed in their goals because women are still fighting for the same causes. “It’s sad to see women still having to attack what we were attacking 40 years ago.”
“There’s still Page 3 in The Sun and in some ways sexism has got worse because, before Everyday Sexism was introduced, we thought things were improving. And it’s quite shocking to see what other women have had to put up with on social media.”
“But there’s a tax on women to stand up and say things. So I think it’s very exciting to see that energy there and that women are saying ‘No we’re not putting up with this.’
“What’s good about anything that feminism does is that it brings issues to the surface.
“There is absolutely still a need for feminism.”
WOMEN AREN’T FUNNY? THAT’S LAUGHABLE!
In such a male dominated industry, how hard is it to make a mark as a female comedian? I spoke to Kiri Pritchard Mclean about what is expected of a woman in a man’s world.
The very feat of being a female comic is an achievement for feminism because to do so says that a woman’s wit is just as valuable as a man’s.
In a surprising turn of events, being the ‘minority’ sometimes ends up being Kiri Pritchard Mclean’s benefit. The Welsh comedienne; sorry I mean comedian (I got told off for using the feminine term) says making her mark as a female comic has been easier than expected. “It's sort of an instant unique selling point and shows that if you're doing well, you’re competent.”
She believes all comedians equally face difficulties getting gigs and it’s no hinder if you are a woman in this profession. “In fact, it may be easier for women as there are female only comedy nights whereas there aren't any, explicitly, all male nights.” She adds.
After seeing her show first-hand, the 28-year-old’s instant likeability and brilliant wit sets her apart from the majority. At no point does the fact she’s a woman come into place: her act is hilarious for both genders alike.
In her stand up, Mclean rejoices in exposing the humorous and sometimes wicked sides of the female psyche, or the traits the male species aren’t intended to see.
She first released she wanted to get into comedy after an unexpected awareness. “I always liked writing and showing off and then suddenly realised I could do both.” She says.
The self-proclaimed feminist admits she sub-consciously tailors her set on the gender of the audience, “I probably do ruder stuff if it's a very male audience, and it seems to be a quicker way to get them onside.”
Especially in a spotlight position, women tend to be judged more based on their image as opposed to what they have to say. Mclean feels that she doesn’t need to hide her femininity as a way to force humour. “I've never felt the need to be "less feminine",” she says. “I always wear very sparkly feminine clothes and usually have heels on.” She adds.
“On the off occasion I've gigged "dressed down" I've actually felt more self-conscious.”
That being said, she often feels as though she is judged more critically for being a female comedian. “Sometimes it's explicit, people wolf whistling as you come on stage or shouting something out about you being a woman, but sometimes you just get a feeling and you have to be sure to ignore that.”
“The best thing I can do is to show naysayers, who think chicks can’t be funny, that they're idiots and I’ll [carry on] being undeniably brilliant.”
“You always push those negative thoughts down and just try to do the best job you can.”
As her profession has progressed she believes she’s been less discriminated against. Revealing that as she was starting out it was much worse. “When I was in a New Act competition, the feedback from one of the judges: a male comic was "nice t*ts.” I mean, he's dead right there but I wasn't there to be judged on my appearance, I'd gone into comedy to avoid just that.”
“You still get promoters who won't book two women or who will split them up "for the benefit of the audience" and I think that's based on the assumption we all talk about the same things.”
She believes other female comedians have made it easier for women in this profession to flourish. “I think Sarah Millican in particular has been a positive force. I think she makes all female comics’ jobs easier every gig we do.”
Despite the United Kingdom having a range of comedic talent from the female variety, Mclean feels we are still way behind America in terms of our acts. “The U.S are far more progressive in their view of women in comedy. The UK is embarrassingly entrenched in that respect.”
Like the sparkles of her dresses, Mclean’s comedy future is glistening and is proof of how women are underestimated in male dominated professions.
“The goal is to keep working hard, keep getting better and write a show that's really outstanding.”
“The best revenge is living well, so the best thing I can do is to show naysayers, who think chicks can’t be funny, that they're idiots and I’ll [carry on] being undeniably brilliant.”
Tickets to see Kiri live are available from her website: http://kiripritchardmclean.co.uk/gigs.html
In a surprising turn of events, being the ‘minority’ sometimes ends up being Kiri Pritchard Mclean’s benefit. The Welsh comedienne; sorry I mean comedian (I got told off for using the feminine term) says making her mark as a female comic has been easier than expected. “It's sort of an instant unique selling point and shows that if you're doing well, you’re competent.”
She believes all comedians equally face difficulties getting gigs and it’s no hinder if you are a woman in this profession. “In fact, it may be easier for women as there are female only comedy nights whereas there aren't any, explicitly, all male nights.” She adds.
After seeing her show first-hand, the 28-year-old’s instant likeability and brilliant wit sets her apart from the majority. At no point does the fact she’s a woman come into place: her act is hilarious for both genders alike.
In her stand up, Mclean rejoices in exposing the humorous and sometimes wicked sides of the female psyche, or the traits the male species aren’t intended to see.
She first released she wanted to get into comedy after an unexpected awareness. “I always liked writing and showing off and then suddenly realised I could do both.” She says.
The self-proclaimed feminist admits she sub-consciously tailors her set on the gender of the audience, “I probably do ruder stuff if it's a very male audience, and it seems to be a quicker way to get them onside.”
Especially in a spotlight position, women tend to be judged more based on their image as opposed to what they have to say. Mclean feels that she doesn’t need to hide her femininity as a way to force humour. “I've never felt the need to be "less feminine",” she says. “I always wear very sparkly feminine clothes and usually have heels on.” She adds.
“On the off occasion I've gigged "dressed down" I've actually felt more self-conscious.”
That being said, she often feels as though she is judged more critically for being a female comedian. “Sometimes it's explicit, people wolf whistling as you come on stage or shouting something out about you being a woman, but sometimes you just get a feeling and you have to be sure to ignore that.”
“The best thing I can do is to show naysayers, who think chicks can’t be funny, that they're idiots and I’ll [carry on] being undeniably brilliant.”
“You always push those negative thoughts down and just try to do the best job you can.”
As her profession has progressed she believes she’s been less discriminated against. Revealing that as she was starting out it was much worse. “When I was in a New Act competition, the feedback from one of the judges: a male comic was "nice t*ts.” I mean, he's dead right there but I wasn't there to be judged on my appearance, I'd gone into comedy to avoid just that.”
“You still get promoters who won't book two women or who will split them up "for the benefit of the audience" and I think that's based on the assumption we all talk about the same things.”
She believes other female comedians have made it easier for women in this profession to flourish. “I think Sarah Millican in particular has been a positive force. I think she makes all female comics’ jobs easier every gig we do.”
Despite the United Kingdom having a range of comedic talent from the female variety, Mclean feels we are still way behind America in terms of our acts. “The U.S are far more progressive in their view of women in comedy. The UK is embarrassingly entrenched in that respect.”
Like the sparkles of her dresses, Mclean’s comedy future is glistening and is proof of how women are underestimated in male dominated professions.
“The goal is to keep working hard, keep getting better and write a show that's really outstanding.”
“The best revenge is living well, so the best thing I can do is to show naysayers, who think chicks can’t be funny, that they're idiots and I’ll [carry on] being undeniably brilliant.”
Tickets to see Kiri live are available from her website: http://kiripritchardmclean.co.uk/gigs.html
GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST: THE OPINIONS ON COSMETIC SURGERY.
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Is it a body you admire? Well in October 2014, the British Social Attitudes Survey revealed that 67% of women in the UK were dissatisfied with their appearance.
Are we a narcissistic generation or has society taught us to hate our bodies? And how are women who go under the knife perceived? I spoke to Business and Human Resources student Rebecca Evans, 21 from Harpenden who, two years ago, had cosmetic surgery because she didn’t like the way she looked.
“I first knew I wanted a boob job at a young age,” she says. “As a teenager I remember feeling insecure with how I looked: in secondary school I developed a lot later than my other friends,”
“I wasn’t extremely flat chested but I always wanted bigger boobs. Even at a young age I wore push up bras so I could feel more complete.”
She had doubts telling her parents, but despite her conservative upbringing, they appreciated that it was her decision. “[They] didn’t like the idea of me changing my body but when they realised how unhappy I was they supported my decision to get it done.” She even admits: “They paid for more than half of it.”
Rebecca, who went from a size 34B to 38F, says despite the recovery period she is happy she did it. “For weeks after it was agony, then it felt uncomfortable but once the scarring had healed it was fine.
“It seems superficial, but for me it was something I needed to do and I’m so happy that I did.”
Like most cosmetic procedures, breast augmentation is often the most criticised. Cosmetic surgery for women, especially, is a feminist issue. The criticism is that it’s superficial and a procedure done for a male’s gaze.
But why is there strong encouragement for a woman’s right to make choices about her reproductive freedom, but not for body modification? Shouldn’t women’s choices about their own bodies be just that: their choice?
Rebecca says that when others find out about her enhancements, their reaction is one of shock. “Most people have been supportive because they knew it was something I wanted to do. My friends at Uni all call me ‘big t*ts’.” She jokes. “But, I think a lot of people were surprised I’d had it done because I’m not the usual ‘type’.”
What is the usual ‘type’? The Sheffield Hallam student says, “Well I’m not that bothered about my appearance, and I’m really career orientated whereas other girls who get it done usually do it for the purposes of either modelling or because they want to date a footballer or something like that.”
Her answer highlights even more that it’s a feminist issue. The stigma attached to breast enlargement is that it targets one group of women, whereas women of all ages and backgrounds now choose to go under the knife to ‘improve’ their physique.
As an advocator of the natural look, I realise that many feminists want to promote the wholesome approval of the “real” self in response to the bombardment of spotless Photoshop fantasies we tolerate every day as women. Truthfully, I completely enforce self-acceptance and think it’s essential in today’s society.
But is there an alternative oppressive standard beneath critiques of plastic surgery? An ideology that determines only “authentic” beauty is “true,” and choosing to change your external appearance is somehow “wrong” and considerably not feminist?
In defence, there is a pressure by the media to look a certain way. The student agrees, “There’s a desired look,” she says, “Women like Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé are idolised for being slim but curvy. I suppose it can make some women feel inadequate.
“I don’t think the media made me want a boob job, but subconsciously it may have done. I’ve not really thought about it that way before.”
Rebecca has a word of advice for others who are thinking of cosmetic surgery, “I’d tell other women that any changes they make to their body should be done only for their own needs and not for anyone else.” She continues, “Also you need to put a lot of thought on whether it’s actually the right choice for you.”
“I have no regrets whatsoever. Since having it done, I feel more feminine and I like what I see in the mirror.”
Is cosmetic surgery a pressure of the media or is it a sincere choice of the individual? Comment below to have your say.
Are we a narcissistic generation or has society taught us to hate our bodies? And how are women who go under the knife perceived? I spoke to Business and Human Resources student Rebecca Evans, 21 from Harpenden who, two years ago, had cosmetic surgery because she didn’t like the way she looked.
“I first knew I wanted a boob job at a young age,” she says. “As a teenager I remember feeling insecure with how I looked: in secondary school I developed a lot later than my other friends,”
“I wasn’t extremely flat chested but I always wanted bigger boobs. Even at a young age I wore push up bras so I could feel more complete.”
She had doubts telling her parents, but despite her conservative upbringing, they appreciated that it was her decision. “[They] didn’t like the idea of me changing my body but when they realised how unhappy I was they supported my decision to get it done.” She even admits: “They paid for more than half of it.”
Rebecca, who went from a size 34B to 38F, says despite the recovery period she is happy she did it. “For weeks after it was agony, then it felt uncomfortable but once the scarring had healed it was fine.
“It seems superficial, but for me it was something I needed to do and I’m so happy that I did.”
Like most cosmetic procedures, breast augmentation is often the most criticised. Cosmetic surgery for women, especially, is a feminist issue. The criticism is that it’s superficial and a procedure done for a male’s gaze.
But why is there strong encouragement for a woman’s right to make choices about her reproductive freedom, but not for body modification? Shouldn’t women’s choices about their own bodies be just that: their choice?
Rebecca says that when others find out about her enhancements, their reaction is one of shock. “Most people have been supportive because they knew it was something I wanted to do. My friends at Uni all call me ‘big t*ts’.” She jokes. “But, I think a lot of people were surprised I’d had it done because I’m not the usual ‘type’.”
What is the usual ‘type’? The Sheffield Hallam student says, “Well I’m not that bothered about my appearance, and I’m really career orientated whereas other girls who get it done usually do it for the purposes of either modelling or because they want to date a footballer or something like that.”
Her answer highlights even more that it’s a feminist issue. The stigma attached to breast enlargement is that it targets one group of women, whereas women of all ages and backgrounds now choose to go under the knife to ‘improve’ their physique.
As an advocator of the natural look, I realise that many feminists want to promote the wholesome approval of the “real” self in response to the bombardment of spotless Photoshop fantasies we tolerate every day as women. Truthfully, I completely enforce self-acceptance and think it’s essential in today’s society.
But is there an alternative oppressive standard beneath critiques of plastic surgery? An ideology that determines only “authentic” beauty is “true,” and choosing to change your external appearance is somehow “wrong” and considerably not feminist?
In defence, there is a pressure by the media to look a certain way. The student agrees, “There’s a desired look,” she says, “Women like Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé are idolised for being slim but curvy. I suppose it can make some women feel inadequate.
“I don’t think the media made me want a boob job, but subconsciously it may have done. I’ve not really thought about it that way before.”
Rebecca has a word of advice for others who are thinking of cosmetic surgery, “I’d tell other women that any changes they make to their body should be done only for their own needs and not for anyone else.” She continues, “Also you need to put a lot of thought on whether it’s actually the right choice for you.”
“I have no regrets whatsoever. Since having it done, I feel more feminine and I like what I see in the mirror.”
Is cosmetic surgery a pressure of the media or is it a sincere choice of the individual? Comment below to have your say.
interview with viv thom
I spoke to Seventies feminist and lecturer Viv Thom about sexism, the growth of feminism and how it has rebirthed. So what does feminism mean to Thom, now 63?
When Viv Thom was 25 and a young feminist, she was bewildered at the ways in which society acknowledged women.
“When I was 25 and applying for a mortgage, I had to get my father to say I was financially stable, and then you’d get asked things like “are you planning for children?” when you were applying for a job, and you don’t necessarily get asked that anymore.” She says.
This was the 1970s and feminism has undoubtedly changed since then. Thom who has three children agrees that, “Feminism has become much more mainstream. In the fact that back in the day, they saw feminists as cranks, a bit like how they saw the suffragettes in the early part of the nineteenth century, there were very stereotypical attacks of these women.”
That being said, there is still a need for it in today’s society. “I think a lot of people don’t deem it necessary to fight for women’s rights.”
Oh how wrong those people are, Thom says “We don’t have enough power in society; we don’t earn as much money as men. There are more women working part time jobs, women aren’t in board rooms making decisions and there are very few women in parliament so it’s a huge issue still, but we have made huge increases and improvements in women’s rights.”
Despite the recent trend in celebrities coming out and calling themselves feminists (Emma Watson, Lena Dunham, Beyoncé) – Thom who leads International Student Support for Student and Learning Services at Sheffield Hallam University doesn’t really see it as a fashion statement. “I suspect that it isn’t fashionable, actually I think a lot of women are probably afraid of calling themselves a feminist because it makes them less attractive to men.”
However, she believes “Some people may say they’re a feminist to shock others.”
“It has become a bit of a revival amongst young women.”
Although we can all agree women in the UK have more rights than they did than when Thom and other women were growing up.
“I mean growing up in the fifties and sixties, it was assumed that it was perfectly alright for men to touch you up or make passes at you.”
And in no way does she believe it was only her who was a victim of sexual discrimination, “I don’t suppose there’s a woman from my generation who hasn’t been a victim of something like that as a normal commonplace thing.
“I’ve acknowledged myself as a feminist since I was about 20, 21; I suppose I don’t think people really talked about feminism until then. I was in at the beginning: in 1972/73.” She says.
“Feminism to me is a belief that women have the same skills and capacities as men,” she says. “It is a belief in gender equality and any activity that is designed to help women and protect women’s rights and to forward the agenda of women’s freedom and equality.”
Sexism in the workplace has often been a feminist issue. “It was assumed that people could make remarks about women, about your appearance.” She says.
She remembers once when working at a college when her appearance became a talking point amongst her male colleagues, “I went to a senior member of staff and complained so that one of the men I worked with wouldn’t keep making remarks about my hair, and people thought it was funny and it was normal for people to do that.”
“In terms of sexual discrimination, I’m fairly certain that I didn’t get jobs because I was a woman. And [especially] because I was a woman with children.”
“I think people take older women more seriously and I’m lucky because I’m middle class and professional.”
Overt sexism has become less apparent to her over the years, she says: “as you become grey and old you don’t get quite so much male attention of that kind.”
However, she admits that there is a different kind of sexism older women face. “The different sort of sexism that applies to older women is that you don’t get served in shops but young blonde women do.”
“It makes you kind of invisible.”
Viv Thom is a member of the Learner Development Team who provides guidance to students and staff on a wide range of issues, mainly related to managing cultural transition, learning and teaching.
“When I was 25 and applying for a mortgage, I had to get my father to say I was financially stable, and then you’d get asked things like “are you planning for children?” when you were applying for a job, and you don’t necessarily get asked that anymore.” She says.
This was the 1970s and feminism has undoubtedly changed since then. Thom who has three children agrees that, “Feminism has become much more mainstream. In the fact that back in the day, they saw feminists as cranks, a bit like how they saw the suffragettes in the early part of the nineteenth century, there were very stereotypical attacks of these women.”
That being said, there is still a need for it in today’s society. “I think a lot of people don’t deem it necessary to fight for women’s rights.”
Oh how wrong those people are, Thom says “We don’t have enough power in society; we don’t earn as much money as men. There are more women working part time jobs, women aren’t in board rooms making decisions and there are very few women in parliament so it’s a huge issue still, but we have made huge increases and improvements in women’s rights.”
Despite the recent trend in celebrities coming out and calling themselves feminists (Emma Watson, Lena Dunham, Beyoncé) – Thom who leads International Student Support for Student and Learning Services at Sheffield Hallam University doesn’t really see it as a fashion statement. “I suspect that it isn’t fashionable, actually I think a lot of women are probably afraid of calling themselves a feminist because it makes them less attractive to men.”
However, she believes “Some people may say they’re a feminist to shock others.”
“It has become a bit of a revival amongst young women.”
Although we can all agree women in the UK have more rights than they did than when Thom and other women were growing up.
“I mean growing up in the fifties and sixties, it was assumed that it was perfectly alright for men to touch you up or make passes at you.”
And in no way does she believe it was only her who was a victim of sexual discrimination, “I don’t suppose there’s a woman from my generation who hasn’t been a victim of something like that as a normal commonplace thing.
“I’ve acknowledged myself as a feminist since I was about 20, 21; I suppose I don’t think people really talked about feminism until then. I was in at the beginning: in 1972/73.” She says.
“Feminism to me is a belief that women have the same skills and capacities as men,” she says. “It is a belief in gender equality and any activity that is designed to help women and protect women’s rights and to forward the agenda of women’s freedom and equality.”
Sexism in the workplace has often been a feminist issue. “It was assumed that people could make remarks about women, about your appearance.” She says.
She remembers once when working at a college when her appearance became a talking point amongst her male colleagues, “I went to a senior member of staff and complained so that one of the men I worked with wouldn’t keep making remarks about my hair, and people thought it was funny and it was normal for people to do that.”
“In terms of sexual discrimination, I’m fairly certain that I didn’t get jobs because I was a woman. And [especially] because I was a woman with children.”
“I think people take older women more seriously and I’m lucky because I’m middle class and professional.”
Overt sexism has become less apparent to her over the years, she says: “as you become grey and old you don’t get quite so much male attention of that kind.”
However, she admits that there is a different kind of sexism older women face. “The different sort of sexism that applies to older women is that you don’t get served in shops but young blonde women do.”
“It makes you kind of invisible.”
Viv Thom is a member of the Learner Development Team who provides guidance to students and staff on a wide range of issues, mainly related to managing cultural transition, learning and teaching.