IT’S too easy to dismiss the recent revelations of predatory sexual misbehaviour in the gilded worlds of showbiz and high politics as being limited to high-profile individuals existing in these unreal arenas characterised by glamour and intense public scrutiny.

Instead we must be clearminded in being concerned about the prevalence and causes of everyday sexism in the real world in which most of us live.

Women routinely, sometimes unthinkingly, are under-represented in senior managerial positions and are often in lower paid jobs because they choose to sacrifice the chance of advancement so that they can take on the demanding responsibilities of child-rearing.

They are at times subjected to unwanted sexual comments and invitations from passing strangers who happen to be male and are typically represented in adverts and pornography as being subjugated passive recipients.

Is there a linkage between these seemingly unrelated elements?

We need to look at ourselves and to think about how the politics of power underpins human relationships between the sexes.

Can we work meaningfully towards more equality of opportunity, move towards a reduction of status and power differentials between women and men, as well as encouraging mutual respect and understanding?

How can this re-formulation of gender balance be facilitated?

Neil Burke, Middle Street, Wilberfoss

EVERY MP that I have seen pontificating on the Westminster sex scandal has been claiming that equivalent behaviour is happening all over the UK’s workplaces.

What proof do they have?

This is the normal Westminster reaction to bad news by trying to deflect their misdemeanours with diversionary tactics.

Remember that there is one of them for every 100,000 of the public. The obvious rottenness of a decaying system is easily removed. What about the hidden worms that are being protected by their fellow miscreants?

I do not trust that those who govern us will root out all those MPs who are guilty.

The “club” will mutually pull together in order to hide all of their actions as they climbed the greasy pole to political power.

Geoff Robb, Hunters Close, Dunnington