Air conditioning. Toilets. Seat belts… the world is full of things that are designed by men, for men, and which leave women behind as a mere after thought. So too, it makes sense that industries that are dominated by men, will likely lead to working environments, policies and products that are to the benefit of men too. I doubt such a phenomenon is an intentional thing, and thankfully the last generation or so has seen huge efforts to correct and fill in the blanks. New crash test dummies, flexible working for mothers, and greater accommodation for PMS have arrived. The days of women in badly fitting uniforms, with a wobbly helmet three sizes too big, and tools that she can’t hold quite right, are fading into the past. And yet the journey is not over. Because guess what; there are also industries dominated by women, that are creating similar spaces, ideas and tools that are centred around women, and opening up cracks of ignorance that men and boys are falling through. I’m talking about teaching. I’m talking about psychology. And especially the domestic violence industry. Are these industries, that are each 85%+ women, inadvertedly part of a different kind of problem? And what is price being paid by men and boys? Is it time for equal representation to be rolled out equally? ~ [1] [2] [3]  Images by Kelly Sekkema, Joshua Hoehne, Gradienta, Ian Dooley and Luke Chesser.

2023-08-21