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New Statesman cover on being childless 'reinforces prejudice', says Sturgeon New Statesman cover on being childless 'reinforces prejudice', says Sturgeon
(35 minutes later)
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has criticised the cover of the New Statesman magazine as “crass” for portraying her and other childless politicians standing round a cot with a ballot box inside.Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has criticised the cover of the New Statesman magazine as “crass” for portraying her and other childless politicians standing round a cot with a ballot box inside.
The Scottish National party (SNP) leader praised the “good analysis” within the article, entitled The Motherhood Trap, which looked at some of the reasons why female MPs in the UK on average have 1.2 children, while their male counterparts have 1.9. The Scottish National party leader praised the “good analysis” within the article, entitled The Motherhood Trap, which looked at some of the reasons why female MPs in the UK on average have 1.2 children, while their male counterparts have 1.9.
However, she objected to the way she was pictured on the front of the magazine, alongside the Labour leadership contender Liz Kendall, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, and the home secretary, Theresa May, who also do not have children.However, she objected to the way she was pictured on the front of the magazine, alongside the Labour leadership contender Liz Kendall, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, and the home secretary, Theresa May, who also do not have children.
After the cover was released, but before the article was published, Sturgeon tweeted: “Jeezo ... we appear to have woken up in 1965 this morning!”After the cover was released, but before the article was published, Sturgeon tweeted: “Jeezo ... we appear to have woken up in 1965 this morning!”
Later, the SNP leader added that it was a good article but the front cover “reinforces the very prejudices she talks about”.Later, the SNP leader added that it was a good article but the front cover “reinforces the very prejudices she talks about”.
The Conservative party leader in Scotland, Ruth Davidson, tweeted “oh do sod off” in reference to the cover.The Conservative party leader in Scotland, Ruth Davidson, tweeted “oh do sod off” in reference to the cover.
The article won praise from many quarters, though, for highlighting the discrepancy between the proportions of male and female MPs who are parents.The article won praise from many quarters, though, for highlighting the discrepancy between the proportions of male and female MPs who are parents.
It cited research by the academics Sarah Childs and Rosie Campbell in 2013, who found 45% of female MPs were childless, compared with 28% of men.It cited research by the academics Sarah Childs and Rosie Campbell in 2013, who found 45% of female MPs were childless, compared with 28% of men.
Helen Lewis, deputy editor of the New Statesman, who wrote the piece, urged people to read it before criticising, while pointing out that it analysed why both motherhood and childlessness caused problems for women in politics.Helen Lewis, deputy editor of the New Statesman, who wrote the piece, urged people to read it before criticising, while pointing out that it analysed why both motherhood and childlessness caused problems for women in politics.
The analysis was published the week after a row erupted when the Labour MP Helen Goodman wrote in a blog that she was backing Yvette Cooper for leader because she was a mother.The analysis was published the week after a row erupted when the Labour MP Helen Goodman wrote in a blog that she was backing Yvette Cooper for leader because she was a mother.
Some of those in Kendall’s camp believed this was an attempt to undermine a rival candidate for not being a parent.Some of those in Kendall’s camp believed this was an attempt to undermine a rival candidate for not being a parent.
The MP Toby Perkins, a supporter of Kendall, told the BBC: “I think the idea you say that because one of the candidates is a mother, they are the one you should back suggests a paucity of intellectual argument, which the Labour party should really have moved beyond.”The MP Toby Perkins, a supporter of Kendall, told the BBC: “I think the idea you say that because one of the candidates is a mother, they are the one you should back suggests a paucity of intellectual argument, which the Labour party should really have moved beyond.”
Julia Gillard, the former prime minister of Australia, has also spoken recently about the misogynist abuse aimed at her during her time as a politician, when rivals and even some colleagues repeatedly drew attention to the fact she did not have children.Julia Gillard, the former prime minister of Australia, has also spoken recently about the misogynist abuse aimed at her during her time as a politician, when rivals and even some colleagues repeatedly drew attention to the fact she did not have children.