A review by nclcaitlin
Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates

4.25

This made me want to scream and then distribute it to every single woman I know. And then shove it in every man’s face and highlight it in politics. 

This is not a men vs women issue. It’s about people vs prejudice.

A collection of truths from women worldwide about gender-based condemnation suffered in both private and public spheres. Carried out by strangers and loved ones alike. 

This was separated into several chapters, each covering different areas of discrimination, such as the media, politics, the workplace. 

Each section is backed up with statistics, and is supplemented by the entries that have been submitted via the Everyday Sexism Project on the Web she set up. This has such an emotive impact. 

Numbers and facts sometimes don’t always penetrate, but relating to what a young girl admitted on a forum really hits home. Thoughts that you suppress because surely not many other girls feel the same or experience the same? This is how you handle non-fiction to make it accessible, relevant, and engaging for all. 

 
In the Brownies (when she was 7) we sang songs about potential careers. One verse I remember went: “typing letters, sitting on the boss’s knee”.

To ignore is to be implicit. This was made so apparent through this non-fiction. How many times has ignorance or trivialisation empowered or encouraged such acts? As girls, we are taught, socialised, and indoctrinated to be polite. Demure. Obliging. 

How many times have I continued a crass or uncomfortable conversation with a man because I didn’t want to be rude? Or not call out some behaviour because I didn’t want to cause a scene? Seem over the top or dramatic? 

The world around us sends us messages about ourselves as women - about our guilt, and our difference, our accountability and our flaws. It gives us endless reminders of the vulnerability and victimization of women. And all the while we are conditioned to be passive and pleasant, not to make a fuss - to be ladylike and compliant and socially acceptable. Before we experience violence we are conditioned to expect it - and to accept it.

This made some of my own feelings and worries feel justified. Because no, it is not right and no it should not be reduced. 

Please let everyone read this. Especially important for women who may not realise it is as widespread or normalised as it is.