Why are we taking the fun out of Fresher’s Week?

Do you remember your first week at university? Until recently, I was sure that I had retained a clear, if slightly rose-tinted, picture of mine. Was it nerve-wracking? Yes. Alcohol-fuelled? Yes. Sexist? No. My, mainly fond, memories include awkward conversations, surprisingly tame drinking sessions, failed flirting attempts with third year boys, signing up to far-too-many societies and endless rounds of “room parties” – which were basically an experiment to see how many bodies could be squeezed into our shoebox-like sleep chambers. I’ve forgotten a few details it’s true, but I wasn’t aware that I had overlooked an endemic culture of latent sexism.

But, that is exactly what occurred during my supposed salad days if recent reports in papers such as The Guardian are to be believed. Admittedly, it’s been over a decade since my Fresher’s Week experience but has there really been a strong upsurge of sexism in universities since then? With feminism a growing force on campuses across the country, the situation should surely have improved not worsened. Regardless, the drive to eliminate “lad culture” is the story of this year’s introductory extravaganza. Leading universities such as Sussex, Nottingham, York and Sheffield are outlawing events their union members deem degrading to women such as the infamous "traffic light" parties where students (of both genders) wear red, green or amber badges to signal their sexual availability. Others have eliminated Lads Mags from their stores, while Leeds and Edinburgh are even refusing to allow the pop song Blurred Lines (yes, the “twerking” track) to be played in their bars, due to claims it trivialises rape. And, of course there is a Twitter campaign with #FreshersWeekSexism encouraging students to share their 140-character horror stories.

This movement was sparked by a report delivered by the National Union of Students earlier this year which stated that 50% of the 40 students interviewed identified "prevailing sexism, 'laddism' and a culture of harassment" at their universities. That research builds on a more extensive 2010 study, Hidden Marks, which stated that 68 per cent of the 2000 female students interviewed had experienced sexual harassment. These are worrying findings, which need to be properly addressed but I’m not convinced that the crackdown on Fresher Week’s is the most effective solution. Sexism is a problem throughout university culture, not just during the first week, and universities desperately need to get more proactive about tackling it across the board. How much impact will cancelling a few fancy dress parties really have?

So, far the clampdown has focused on events with Carry On-style themes such as tarts and vicars, pimps and hoes, slag and drag etc. While, I agree these themes are outdated and unimaginative, I don’t personally find them demeaning. Both sexes have the option to dress up and look ridiculous if, and it’s an important “if”, they wish to do so. I would much rather look at a girl in sexy clothes than witness a guy flashing his hairy thighs in a dress. Does that make me a sexist?

While, I’m not setting out to belittle the NUS’s findings, I think it’s important to remember that the culture of drinking and flirting exists during Fresher’s Week because that is what both sexes have traditionally wanted. The girls just as much as the boys. It’s fun. Yes, there are horror stories and they should be carefully heeded, but they should not be blown out all proportion. Banning a high profile pop song such as Blurred Lines only gives it more publicity than it deserves, and probably, perversely, encourages students to listen to it in private.

Don’t get me wrong - I am fully behind the fight to protect women from being sexually assaulted and, worse, raped. Just as I am passionate about the need to increase the number of rape cases being reported in universities and beyond. But, I would like to see the focus on those specific issues and the provision of better mentor schemes, education, counselling and legal advice for women on campuses. Spreading the message that sexual assault, of any nature, should be reported is distinct to condemning Fresher’s Week in all its undignified glory, and I fear the message of this campaign has become irrevocably muddled.

My advice to this year’s Freshers is to stay safe, be open to all experiences (when sober), and don’t forget to have fun.