Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2020
Persistent norms and the #MeToo effect in Swedish forestry education
Grubbstrom, Ann; Powell, StinaAbstract
This study focuses on the persistence of gender inequality in Swedish forestry education. The many strategic documents stand in contrast to the experienced inequalities depicted in the forest sector's #MeToo movement. Both #slutavverkat and the open letter, written by female students, describe harassment and sexist behaviour. Theories about the culture of silence and bystander behaviour - are used to analyse the continuation of the norms that make harassment possible. Through an analysis of focus groups and interviews, we identify mechanisms that allow for the continuation of gender inequality. It is shown that strong traditions and hierarchical relations between students have contributed to the continuation of the culture of masculine domination. This culture has been allowed to flourish in hidden arenas such as the student union and social media, often in the form of sexist jokes that have been tolerated. Leadership at different levels has formulated measures to promote gender equality, but at the same time has failed to hear and react sufficiently to discrimination. This has in turn contributed to women's silence. #slutavverkat and the open letter have led to increased awareness, but remaining challenges include the barriers that prevent bystanders from acting in a more prosocial way.Keywords
Forestry education; #MeToo; gender equality; masculine culture; bystandersPublished in
Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research2020, volume: 35, number: 5-6, pages: 308-318
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS
Authors' information
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Urban and Rural Development
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Urban and Rural Development
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG5 Gender equality
SDG4 Quality education
SDG16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
UKÄ Subject classification
Gender Studies
Publication Identifiers
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02827581.2020.1791243
URI (permanent link to this page)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/107267