Sexist Diatribe Number One

This letter concerns the article in this year's handbook entitled "Women at University" which which I intend to rip apart in places and reference in places. So you can all get your handbooks for reference, and I'll rip into my first letter for this year (and the only serious one).

The perpetrator of this fascinating piece of literature mentions the unbalanced male/female ratio at varsity. This, of course, does not reflect the amount of women who actually want to go to Varsity. The reason for this ratio, we are told, is that it is harder for a woman to come to University — and to stay there. I find that hard to believe since a quick survey of all my female friends at varsity revealed that they were not finding it all that difficult. I would like to see the author back this up her (or his!!??) statement with some figures, including a comparison between the difficulties encountered by women and men.

3rd paragraph down, our informed source asserts that women are forced into a particular role — that women are dominated by men in Sasrac's and tut's. The only reasons for this that I can see are that women can't be bothered being as stupid as men at Sasracs and are too immersed in deep academic thought to speak in tut's. If you want to dominate in these things, you Can. It's up to you — don't come out with hackneyed cliches about being forced into a role. Your role is in your hands — no one else's.

No women in power at Varsity? Apart from the president, of course, and the NZUSA, you're dead right. But why? How many women stand for these positions? How many women wage a forceful election campaign, as many male candidates do? Get off your chuffs if you want these positions. Many, such as secretary, are yours for the taking. John Hebenton, ph. 769—676 would love to hear from you if you want this position.

Is the creche more important than the library? Well, the creche is vitally important, but the library is one of the most important facilities. Without it, there is no university. And since it serves the several thousand students here, who after all, want their degrees, is the library more important to this university? I think that it is. Most would agree.

One of the really ironic parts of this article is the part about women being forced to have unwanted children. With the range of contraceptives available, plus the "Sexuality" handbook, any woman who is burdened with an unwanted child must be either stupid, inept or forgetful, or all three. And I challenge you to refute that one.

Look, women at large, you should be stronger at varsity in both social and academic circles. Don't just sit back and moan and whine. Don't just sit there — get up at SRC's, attack the system that you dislike. Take an active role and go for the things that you want. It is, after all, up to You to help yourselves. I want this letter to get you all thinking and to make you think and then act. Go to it but don't come out with ill-informed pieces of drivel such as the handbook article. You'll only hurt your own case.