Teaching with the third wave new feminists - MailChimp

Then we turn towards the ‘magic of numbers’ and use statistical datato draw a clear, irrefutable and credible picture of the prevailing gender inequalities.We also often use mathematical reasoning and logic to explain thenature and origins of gender inequalities. This is quite an efficient strategysince mathematics are still regarded as an expression of (almost incontestable)scientific truth in the French context. In addition, we sometimes ‘borrow’ thelanguage and the concepts of our trainees. For example, while training privateenterprises to the gender equality in work we use the managerial vocabulary asa means of facilitating the reception of the feminist message.Furthermore, we have accepted some compromises, at the surface level,with our feminist positions. We have learned that the strategy of ‘small steps’is often more effective at the beginning than that of straight talk. We generallydo not use such words as ‘masculine domination’ or ‘patriarchy’ and we adoptthe attitude of neutral kindness and sympathy towards our public. In otherwords, we put aside our feminist militant garment in favour of the consultant’ssuit. This has not always been an easy task to perform and it still remainsour major source of frustration and dissatisfaction. In fact, this ‘role game’ isprobably the main difficulty we need to confront in the exercise of our trainingand consulting activity. However, we are eager to continue our construction offeminist pedagogy that takes into account even the intimate resistances of thepartakers.If a trainee opposes our discourse we never reject his/her hostile viewoutright. Instead we take up the argument and try to develop it collectivelywith the whole group: What do the others think about it? Do they agree ordisagree and why? What counts is not our personal opinion on the issues, butthe debate that it evokes and the discussion that follows from it. However,for us, humour remains one of the most powerful tools for passing themessage on and we also use play as a pedagogical technique whenever possible.We have also learned the importance of communication strategies. Studiesin communication have pointed out that the public absorbs most of thecontent of a discourse through its non-verbal and visual presentation. Thisincludes our appearance and behaviour as consultants (remember we are inFrance!). This side of our activity was quite new and unexpected for someof us and we spent a lot of time on constructing a common visual design forour training documents – and on mutual coaching for appropriate dressing!123