17th July 2008, 01:11 PM
Thanks everyone (and HOST) for raising the sexism issues. I have been at times literally sitting on my hands to stop myself blasting away about this in Bonekickers. I'm not sure I can bear to watch anymore.
Truthfully, even the sometimes horrible things we've heard from women's experiences are not what is portrayed within this programme. Not only is the sexism rife, it's the power relationships displayed (it's not peer comments, but the boss, indicating institutionalisation of sexism). Personally, had I seen the bra scene as a teenager I would NEVER have considered that archaeology was a place I'd want to be. We've heard bad stuff, but this is not even the bad side of archaeology. It's a 1960s Barbara Windsor 'Carry On' style of sexism, without a Kenneth Williams and without the men being a bit sad (more worryingly, heroes). I think it will single-handedly reduce female undergraduate applications - we'll just have to wait til next year and see.
We're having a steering committee meeting of the BWA on Monday where I'll be raising this. I'll be proposing we write to the BBC to express our disappointment. If anyone has any comments in particular please email us a womeninarchaeology@hotmail.com - the more the better. If you're furious, tell us and I'll pass it on. Men too please - this doesn't flatter anyone.
Truthfully, even the sometimes horrible things we've heard from women's experiences are not what is portrayed within this programme. Not only is the sexism rife, it's the power relationships displayed (it's not peer comments, but the boss, indicating institutionalisation of sexism). Personally, had I seen the bra scene as a teenager I would NEVER have considered that archaeology was a place I'd want to be. We've heard bad stuff, but this is not even the bad side of archaeology. It's a 1960s Barbara Windsor 'Carry On' style of sexism, without a Kenneth Williams and without the men being a bit sad (more worryingly, heroes). I think it will single-handedly reduce female undergraduate applications - we'll just have to wait til next year and see.
We're having a steering committee meeting of the BWA on Monday where I'll be raising this. I'll be proposing we write to the BBC to express our disappointment. If anyone has any comments in particular please email us a womeninarchaeology@hotmail.com - the more the better. If you're furious, tell us and I'll pass it on. Men too please - this doesn't flatter anyone.