'Privilege is invisible to those who have it': engaging men in workplace equality

Published in the Research School of Physics Event Horizon
Vol42 Issue24 20–24 June 2016

From the RSPE Equity and Diversity Committee

Too many men see ‘gender’ as synonymous with ‘women’ and this lack of interest is preventing workplace equality, says Prof Michael Kimmel. 

Turn up to any meeting on gender equality and the room will be full of women. Women talking to women about women. 

When it comes to advancing women in the workplace, one of the biggest hurdles is men’s lack of interest. According to American sociologist, Prof Michael Kimmel, men can’t see what the issue is. They don’t see the advantages conferred by their Y chromosome. “Privilege is invisible to those who have it.” 

Kimmel, author and distinguished professor of sociology and gender studies at New York’s Stony Brook University, was in Sydney recently to talk about how to engage more men in the discussion around gender equality at work.

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