Do you think Dr Matt Taylor's shirt was sexist?

Question

Do you think Dr Matt Taylor's shirt was sexist?

6 Answers

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Answer 1

Personally, I don't think the shirt was really that offensive.

There are far worse and more demeaning images which we're exposed to on a daily basis in the name of "entertainment" (Kim Kardashian's latest photo-shoot for example)... So I kind of find it difficult to understand what all the fuss is about!

I can see why some people might think it wasn't the most appropriate shirt to wear for a live TV interview (why did none of his friends mention that to him?).

Either way, he seems like a pretty cool guy who has managed to do something extraordinarily amazing (landing a spacecraft on a moving comet), and I think people should be focusing on that.

Also does it make a difference that the shirt was created for him by a female friend?

Thankfully, it seems the majority of people on the internet seem to have woken up to how absurd the anger being vented about Matt Taylor's shirt is.

What do you think?

Answer 2

It was definitely a poor choice of shirt for a TV appearance. I mean, surely SOMEONE would have thought "Hold on, this won't look great"? Aside from being one of the most unattractive shirts I've ever seen, it does open a can of worms, as he's now realised!

Having said that, I do think it's a shame that his incredible achievements have been overshadowed by the reaction to his shirt. He's likely been dreaming of this moment his entire life, and he's now been made to apologise for his dress sense.

I don't think it's fair that he's been attacked to viciously on social media platforms, and for someone who's probably not used to being in the public eye, it's likely come as a huge shock and dissappointment.

Answer 3

Personally, I'm on the fence about this one! I do think the shirt was inappropriate, and I can see why some women may be offended by it considering the context. But, I can't help but feel sorry for the guy.

I don't think he deserved the personal attack, and I think his shirt makes more of a statement about our society than the guy wearing; I think that people should direct their anger there instead.

Answer 4

I do think the shirt was in bad taste. In both senses of the word - it's pretty awful and I thought men knew that these are NOT FASHIONABLE anymore. Also, it does present some sexist undertones such as that women are objects to be looked at rather than be super-cool scientists who can land spacecrafts on comets, but I think Dr Matt Taylor was treated a little harshly. I mean, he cried when he apologised!

Poor guy. I can't help but feel sorry for him.

I think, as Beth said, that this says something about society in general, and this is where we should be focusing our attention. Unfortunately, with the stigma attached to feminism these days, this is going to sound cliche, but the 'everyday sexism' that women are still subjected to is evident in Dr Taylor's choice of shirt. Many people, including women, still think it's okay for women to be objectified in this passive manner and that is what needs to be changed. We shouldn't be making super scientists cry.

Answer 5

I agree that Dr Taylor's shirt was in poor taste, given the day was all about one of humanity's greatest achievements (interestingly, I almost typed 'mankind' instead of humanity, would that have been seen as sexist?) and you'd think a guy would want to look smart and professional for such an event, rather than wearing something Glenn Quagmire from Family Guy might slip on during a vacation in Bangkok.

Of course, scientists tend to have their head in the clouds, and most don't assign such importance to fashion or looks as some of the rest of us might. I doubt Dr Taylor gave it a second thought at the time, though if I'd worn anything like that for a big day at the office, I'm sure my boss would have set me straight pretty quick.

Perhaps the lesson of all this is the need for more women in scientific or engineering jobs and bodies like the European Space Agency should be doing all they can to help young girls who like science take up their interest professionally once they are adults. Language like Dr Taylor's when he described the Rosetta craft by saying "she is sexy" can't help girls take up science.

But I also agree we shouldn't be harsh on Dr Taylor, anyone can make a mistake and he showed contrition the following day:

Answer 6

There is always a thin line between what you 'think' is appropriate and what is actually appropriate.

Dr. Matt didn't care about it. And people (well, most of them) don't care about Matt Taylor anymore. I mean what is the difference between Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian and Doc..??