The University of Nottingham’s Feminist society have issued a Lad Culture Pledge in order to end the behaviour at the University of Nottingham.
‘Lad Culture’, an increasingly debated topic, has been described as ‘ignored’ by the NUS President, Toni Pearce.
After conducting a survey of 2,000 students, Pearce argues that the presence of laddish behaviour is common at universities throughout the UK. The survey reveals that ‘[a] quarter of those polled had experienced unwelcome sexual advances’ and ‘two thirds had heard rape or sexual assault jokes on campus’.
Pearce went on to argue that ‘harassment is rife on campus’ and urges UK Universities to ‘acknowledge the problems’ and confront them.
UoN Feminists have tackled this problem with a Lad Culture Pledge to be issued throughout the university. This pledge aims to diminish the sexual harassment and objectification female students face.
It’s likely that almost every girl reading this article has received unwanted attention from a boy in a club or bar, and it has become such a common occurrence that this type of behaviour is shrugged off and ignored by females. Among boys however, the presence of laddish behaviour seems to be encouraged, and even rewarded, as if such behaviour is something to be proud of. Tired of the sexual discrimination taking place, the UoN Feminists have decided to stand against laddish behaviour by releasing their pledge.
The ‘Lad Culture’ Pledge outright declares that UoN ‘will not tolerate lad culture’. It defines ‘Lad Culture’ as a ‘sexist… group mentality’ that is ‘both endorsing and encouraging objectification of women and rape-supporting attitudes”, as well as promoting sexual harassment and violence.
The Pledge, which will be signed by SU officers, Captains and Presidents, aims to eliminate ‘lad culture’ from all aspects of university societies. UoN Feminists assure us that Nottingham’s Students’ Union has been very active in the production of the Pledge and are enthusiastic about the positive implications it will have on Nottingham’s numerous societies.
However, UoN Feminists argue that universities are not all to blame. The the root of the ‘lad culture’ problem is ingrained in society – not just university life. They claim that, although Pearce is right in targeting the issue in UK Universities, the problem of laddish behaviour must also be addressed in the lives of the general public – meaning that ‘lad culture’ is not just a problem for universities to deal with.
Both UoN Feminists and the Students’ Union hope that the pledge will be successful in reducing laddish behaviour among Nottingham’s students, both within and surrounding the campuses.
Edited by Caroline Chan.
Sources:
Pictures –
http://uonsu.tumblr.com/post/64390114730/sexism-where-next
http://theconversation.com/explainer-feminism-27981
Articles –
BBC – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-29176844
Her Campus – http://www.hercampus.com/school/nottingham/lad-culture-uk-universities-being-ignored
NUS – http://www.nus.org.uk/Global/Campaigns/That’s%20what%20she%20said%20full%20report%20Final%20web.pdf