On Women, Sexism, Literature, Awards and Why Male Writers Don’t Benefit
There’s been a bit of debate and discussion around the blogosphere of late concerning women and their position within the literary world, particularly in regards to being shortlisted for prizes.
- Kill Your Darlings: On Women’s Writing
- Politics Daily: Same Old Story: Best-Books List Snubs Women Writers
- the thinkings of a lili: Rant. Women. Writing. Chicklit
- Guardian.co.uk: Orange prize ‘grimness’ is not the fault of women novelists
- Kill Your Darlings: On women’s writing 2: Miles Frankling, Orange, sausage fests and ‘grimness’
- dan powell – fiction: Are women only lit prizes really necessary in 2010?
- Overland: ‘Who cares about gender at a time like this?’
I blogged for The Outer Alliance about the position of women within the horror genre last year following a storm after no women were included in In Conversation: A Writer’s Perspective. Volume One: Horror, essentially a ‘who’s who’ of the horror world.
But by reading the above links, it seems sexism isn’t just confined to the horror genre, but the whole of literature. I’d also argue it has a lot to do with the position of women in the rest of society.
I provided the above links so you can read what has already been said and expressed in ways far more articulate than I can imagine I’d be able to.
I think the lack of recognition for women writers is a real problem we have to face up to. The idea that awards are based on objective merit and the defence that women just aren’t as good really doesn’t satisfy most people with an understanding of today’s world.
Sexism permeates the whole of society. It is rooted in how we interact at work, in our families, amongst our friends. As a Marxist I say this comes from class society, that it benefits the ruling class.
In regards to sexism more generally, I would say that working-class men do not benefit from the oppression of working-class women. It brings down the living standards of all working-class people, divides us and makes our relationships unequal and therefore less fulfilling.
I would also argue that male writers do not benefit from our female colleagues being excluded from anthologies, short lists, long lists and awards. Sexism in the industry, whilst primarily affecting women no doubt, still lowers the quality of literature for all of us.
This isn’t meant to be a post defending male writers or shifting away from how women are affected. But shrapnel victims don’t benefit just because they haven’t been blown up.
It is about discussing where sexism in literature comes from and seeing that if male writers don’t benefit from this, we don’t have an interest in continuing with the way things are.
The fact that what is regarded as ‘women’s writing’ is taken less seriously narrows the scope for what is considered good literature. Literature that discusses ‘domestic issues’ should not be seen as less serious. Discussing ‘big issues’ shouldn’t be confined to just male writers.
I think these narrow definitions and criteria, imposed I think from sexism in society at large, reduces the ability for literature to cover a wider range of issues, for all people, male or female to contribute to discussions through literature and therefore make them far more thorough and comprehensive.
And for men to win an award where women are forgotten on the basis of nothing to do with the quality of the work, surely devalues the significance of winning the award.
If women’s writing was taken more seriously and was considered equal with men’s then surely this would push the quality of literature higher and that an award won in this light would be far more fulfilling.
excellent post. and i think it’s a valid point, expressing that feminism truly is for everyone, and sexism is not just problematic for women, but for all people, regardless of their sex, gender identification or lack thereof.
elizabeth´s last blog ..don’t be angry
This was a great post, Benjamin. I really enjoyed the links you provided as well. Thanks for sharing!
Carol´s last blog ..Tell Me Your Fortune – Part VIII
Thanks Benjamin – I meant to respond to your comment on the first post I did on ‘women’s writing’ on the KYD blog to thank you for the added perspective, from the world of horror writing.
I think Kerryn Goldsworthy nails it when she says it’s not out-and-out sexism, so much as what our society values – and this makes it even more important to talk and think about this subject.
I’m off to read some of your links I hadn’t yet spotted now …
Jo´s last blog ..On women’s writing 2: Miles Franklin, Orange, sausage fests and ‘grimness’
Thanks Jo for starting the conversation. I agree that you can often not intend to be sexist. The values in our society are so ingrained that it can sometimes be so hard to even identify prejudices let alone fight them.
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I think your last paragraph really nails it. People have nothing to fear from pushing themselves further and higher for quality writing. Both readers and writing would benefit. And they should.
Jen B´s last blog ..Orange controversy
Yeah, you do really nail the arguments Ben, if men and women could truely regard each others as equals in an industry it would be so much more fulfilling because your peers really would be that.
awesome post. Sometimes I feel I haven’t bothered much with my writing because perhaps I won’t be taken seriously. But talent isn’t about what gender you are.. I wonder when society will realise the only difference between man and woman is the genitals.
it reminds me of the point made about the academy awards recently. Should we still separate actors and actresses? in fact, why are we separating the two?
I don’t believe in anything more than I believe in full equality. Being that we’re all human, petty things like gender, race, sexuality or skin colour should not matter. I hate the fact that it still seems to.