The cultural shape of sexism was underlined by this video statement released last week by Chief of Army Lt Gen David Morrison. Incandescent with rage over the discovery that a network of defence officers had systematically exploited women, he vows to be ruthless in ridding the army of such personnel.
He alludes to the permissions that hold together and propel our society, and the ones that let it come undone. 'The standard you walk past,' he says, 'is the standard you accept.' By this token, his response to individuals who harbour sexist attitudes is unequivocal: 'Get out'.
If only we could similarly extract them from other areas of service and public life. In the same week that Morrison spoke so forcefully against the denigration of women, a Liberal party fundraiser menu was leaked in which Prime Minister Julia Gillard's body was the subject of vile mockery. Within days, a high profile columnist inaccurately stated that she showed too much cleavage in Parliament.
In light of Morrison's statements regarding the 'systemic problems with (Army) culture', it bears wondering how such sexist language and behaviour are perpetuated. Humans are creatures of conformity — so where are they getting the signals that it is permissible to demean women?
According to Nicole Hunter, acting manager for Community Wellbeing at Knox City Council in Victoria, these signals often emanate from rigid and archaic stereotypes. As part of a team that seeks to address domestic violence, she works to counter these stereotypes.
Last year, her team launched a local campaign centred around the slogan, 'Real men don't hit chicks'. It was a highly targeted communications strategy that set out to provoke conversation around masculinity. In other words, it sought to disrupt the cultural signals around aggression and violence. This is the sort of interference that needs to play out on a larger scale.
Hunter emphasises that there are structural dimensions that need to be addressed. 'It goes back to deep-seated views,' she says. These germinate from a child's observation of parental roles and adult relationships, which is later reinforced by the community within which he matures, such as the local sporting club. Societal cues via the media may entrench such views. 'In order to reverse it,' she says, 'you have to work all three levels.'
It is a useful framework for considering the ways in which permission is given to denigrate women. But it also emphasises the enormity of the task.
For one