The last post on quotas received much comment and as Thomas pointed out in a post Christine Odone quotas are being called for to increase the number of female scientists. It is not just boardrooms.
The issue runs much deeper because as pointed out before the Equalities Bill will do much damage to men and much has been in place for a long time but has never really been challenged. Even in a recession when more men have lost their jobs than women (see this section for previous posts on employment).
For example, one contributor has pointed out that Lloyds TSB bank, now merged with Halifax Bank of Scotland has its very own positive action programmes for women (positive action means negative action for someone else - basic maths) and a women's network. Often it is not direct, it is discrimination by omission where management courses and special training courses are made available to all but men. They do not say so directly but men are left off the list.
A white boy from a rough council estate has hardly more advantages in life than a girl educated at public school, but according to Lloyds Banking Group he has.
The problem with this tokenism and discrimination is again down to the fact that in the age of political correctness we are not treated as individuals, only as members of groups. Some men will need help to get on the management ladder and some women will not need the help, but that does not matter at Lloyds Banking Group, it is your gender that matters. Excluded men also find their wives/girlfriends/daughters indirectly discriminated as well - second hand discrimination.
With so many more women now joining the professions than men partly due to better exam results and partly due to 'extra help', along with the recession and anti-male society we live in, men are becoming more and more marginalised. Quotas and positive action programmes ensure this will continue.
Posted by Skimmington
Would this be the same Lloyds TSB bank that is so badly run it had to be taken over by the government?
I guess this is the mythical Lehman sisters company Harman was talking about.
Posted by: John Kimble | Wednesday, 24 March 2010 at 05:12
Our societies have gone several steps too far. They penalise men and expect us to pay for all the stupidity with our taxes.
I care not a jot anymore. I don't pay taxes. I retired a few months ago but I have refused to even put an income tax form in for some seven or eight years.
Men should just point-blank refuse to pay tax and go to jail if necessary in protest.
Posted by: amfortas | Wednesday, 24 March 2010 at 07:33
As the equality bill slides toward royal assent tis will get much worse. It legalises positive discrimination and promotes it.
Posted by: Groan | Wednesday, 24 March 2010 at 08:44