Tony Abbott, the new Prime Minister of Australia, has chosen who he wants to be on his front-bench team in Parliament. Many have noticed that he only has one woman on that team, and commented on it.
Some seem to think of him as sexist and old-school, to have so few women on the team.
I see the opposite, though. Isn't it that those who think so the sexist ones?
I mean, Mr Abbott may have chosen his team based on the merit or reputation or credibility of those people. As the Prime Minister, he would want people that he trusts in those positions. He shouldn't be forced to think about the gender of his team-mates in the course of choosing his team, should he? That the team-member is a man or a woman should be a minor detail - rather who they are and what they can do are the important aspects.
Maybe it is those who think in terms of the gender who are the sexist ones.
Maybe, if Tony were less sexist, more women would end up on his team since he regards these people as the ones with the merit, reputation and credibility. Maybe not. I am not saying that women are not trustworthy for these roles. Just understanding that only one woman was chosen this time. And that Tony should be allowed to make this choice without having it based on gender.
What do you think? Is it sexual discrimination, or lack of sexual discrimination, that the ratio of men:women on the front bench ended up being what it is? Does it matter? Why or why not?
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
ReplyDeleteFor with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
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