Pet Peeve - why do women have to wear skimpy clothes to be news anchors?

[Chemisse]

No matter what time of year it is, the women on the local news wear sleeveless dresses, while their male counterparts are geared up in full suits.

This bugs me in so many ways. Women anchors are only of value if they are showing plenty of skin? And what is the temperature in the studio? Surely it has to either be too hot for the men in the suits or too cold for the women in skimpy dresses!

This is such a glaring example of sexism, I can't understand why people don't object to it - loudly.

[riqster]

1. Thank the gods, local news can be an exception.

http://www.nbc4i.com/category/255581/news-team

The local NBC affiliate here has two Boomers anchoring, and they both wear suits.

[notadmblnd]

2. Exposed arms equate to skimpy clothing with you?

[Chemisse]

7. Compared to a man wearing a full suit? Yes.

Why isn't the guy wearing a sleeveless shirt as well? Well the very same reason he is not is the reason that women also should be fully dressed as newscasters.

[Polly Hennessey]

3. Sleeveless

I wonder why they all wear sleeveless dresses in the middle of winter. I am guessing that they put on their heavy parkas and scarves when they go out. They always look so cute while the men look so dignified. No one wears long sleeve blouses or sweaters anymore?

[grasswire]

4. this has bugged me for a long time.

Women must dress as sex objects (show skin) in order to stay employed on TV even in news programming. One exception is Alex Wagner on MSNBC. She dresses very professionally, very classy.

[Chemisse]

8. Exactly!

And there are certainly exceptions, where the women are dressed in suits similar to their male counterparts, particularly with the network news groups.

[lordsummerisle]

5. Seriously....

You weren't born yesterday by any chance? yes, it's sexist but skin sells and all those guys watching the news will be paying more attention when they switch to commercial break which is really the whole point of tv "news".

[Chemisse]

9. Just because I understand WHY it's done

Doesn't mean I can't object to it.

And why aren't the men showing some skin. If sex sells, why not put the men on display as well?

[IronLionZion]

6. Is it a requirement?

Don't they choose their own clothes? I've seen female news anchors wearing suits.

My boss was complaining about walking in high heels and I told her no one is making her do it, and she's the boss so she can wear flats if she wants.

[Chemisse]

10. It's a highly competitive industry.

If women who dress in sexy outfits are more successful in keeping or moving upward in their jobs, then that is what they will do.

So they (I assume) can make the choice of clothing, but it's not really a choice, is it?

[niyad]

11. I do not know what field you are in, but have you seen the "lady lawyer dress

code" nonsense?

[MissMillie]

12. I don't think it's a "have to" situation for the WOMEN

I think the men HAVE to wear the suits.

I imagine they'd be happier under the hot studio lights wearing less.

Women have quite a bit more flexibility.