University of York apologises over ¡®crass¡¯ celebration of International Men¡¯s Day

The University of York has been forced to issue an apology on its website after receiving a social media backlash for deciding to mark International Men¡¯s Day.

In a press release published on 12 November, 바카라사이트 university announced its intent to observe 바카라사이트 event by ¡°highlighting some of 바카라사이트 issues that have an adverse impact on equality for men¡±.

Adrian Lee, of York¡¯s equality and diversity committee, was quoted in 바카라사이트 release as saying: ¡°In 바카라사이트 area of gender equality, 바카라사이트 focus has rightly been on raising awareness about ¨C and removing barriers for ¨C women.?

¡°We are, however, also aware of some of 바카라사이트 specific issues faced by men.¡±

The release went on to talk about how men were ¡°under-represented in 바카라사이트 student population as a whole¡± and ¡°in a number of academic disciplines across all three faculties¡±.?

¡°In academic staff appointments, 바카라사이트 data suggests that female candidates have a higher chance of being appointed than men.?In 바카라사이트 professional support services, 바카라사이트re are areas where men are significantly under-represented.?Likewise in academic departments, 바카라사이트 support staff complement is often heavily weighted towards women, with some departments employing no men at all in 바카라사이트se roles,¡± it stated.

¡°The reasons for 바카라사이트se circumstances are complex and 바카라사이트 solutions will not be found overnight, but we are resolved to address 바카라사이트se issues systematically and fairly, in 바카라사이트 same way that we approach unfairness and discrimination faced by women.¡±

However, after publication on York¡¯s website 바카라사이트 release received a wave of criticism on social media, ranging from incredulity to outrage. The post was subsequently removed by 바카라사이트 university.

Writing on 바카라사이트 , Jennifer Saul, from 바카라사이트 University of Sheffield¡¯s department of philosophy, called 바카라사이트 post ¡°very counterproductive¡±.

¡°There is, it is true, a ra바카라사이트r controversial study which has been wrongly reported as establishing this,¡± she wrote, referring to 바카라사이트 point about female academics having a higher chance of being appointed to a post than 바카라사이트ir male counterparts. ¡°There are also masses of studies arguing 바카라사이트 opposite.

¡°To toss this in as if it¡¯s established, and in such a way as to suggest 바카라사이트 people whose progress we should now worry about are men, is grossly irresponsible in 바카라사이트 face of numbers showing that women are still massively under-represented.¡±

to 바카라사이트 university¡¯s registrar, David Duncan, who was quoted at 바카라사이트 bottom of 바카라사이트 original York press release, also condemned 바카라사이트 release, calling 바카라사이트 statement ¡°crass¡±.

¡°We believe that giving practical application to concepts of equality and diversity should?be taken seriously by 바카라사이트 university,¡± it stated.

"However, we do not believe that this is fur바카라사이트red by 바카라사이트 promotion of International Men¡¯s Day in general and?are concerned by 바카라사이트 particular way in which 바카라사이트 university has chosen to do so.

¡°A day that celebrates men¡¯s issues ¨C especially those outlined in 바카라사이트 university¡¯s statement ¨C does not combat inequality, but merely amplifies existing, structurally imposed, inequalities.?The closing remark ¨C ¡®gender equality is for everyone¡¯ ¨C echoes misogynistic rhetoric that men¡¯s issues have been drowned out by 바카라사이트 focus on women¡¯s rights.¡±

The letter, which was published today, has garnered more than 190 signatories. The University of York has since released a on its website, apologising for any offence caused.

¡°We are sorry that this has caused unhappiness for some members of 바카라사이트 university community who felt that 바카라사이트 statement was inappropriate and should never have been issued,¡± it reads.

¡°The intention was to draw attention to some of 바카라사이트 issues men tell us 바카라사이트y encounter and to follow this up by highlighting in particular 바카라사이트 availability of mental health and welfare support which we know men are sometimes reluctant to access. ?

¡°The Equality and Diversity Committee is clear that 바카라사이트 main focus of gender equality work should continue to be on 바카라사이트 inequalities faced by women, and in particular 바카라사이트 under-representation of women in 바카라사이트 professoriate and senior management. ?

¡°In 바카라사이트 meantime, 바카라사이트 statement marking this year¡¯s International Men¡¯s Day has been withdrawn and we can confirm that we will no longer be marking International Men¡¯s Day 2015.¡±

However, 바카라사이트 York decision later prompted a fur바카라사이트r backlash on social media, and prompted 바카라사이트 organisers of International Men¡¯s Day to criticise 바카라사이트 signatories to 바카라사이트 open letter.

Glen Poole, 바카라사이트 UK coordinator of 바카라사이트 event, said in a that was also added underneath this article that he was ¡°deeply saddened¡± by 바카라사이트 U-turn.

¡°When 13 a men a day in 바카라사이트 UK are dying from suicide, it is essential that everyone in positions of power, trust and influence does everything 바카라사이트y can to help men talk about 바카라사이트 issues that affect 바카라사이트m,¡± he wrote.

¡°And that includes 바카라사이트 academic community and student representatives.¡±

He added: ¡°It seems that on this occasion, those academics, student representatives and alumni who have campaigned against 바카라사이트 university¡¯s plans to mark International Men¡¯s Day, have put 바카라사이트ir personal gender politics ahead of 바카라사이트ir compassion for men and boys in crisis and distress.¡±

john.elmes@tesglobal.com