A tv presenter has been labelled as “embarrassing and an eyesore” – all because she is pregnant.
Image source: Twitter
The description of Jenny-May Clarkson, who is heavily pregnant with twins, has been published in a provocative letter in the TV Guide NZ.
The letter, written by John Rook states:
“Who is responsible for allowing a sports reporter in a very pregnant state to remain on screen?” he wrote. “I have no problem seeing pregnant women in normal situations or places, but to have them remain on TV in a state which I feel is embarrassing and an eyesore? It’s time to replace them.”
Image source: Twitter
The 69-year-old father of three told The New Zealand Herald he was attempting to point out what the cut-off point for pregnant women appearing on TV was.
“I just wanted to know who was responsible for leaving presenters on air and at what stage of their pregnancy? I’m old fashioned … When a woman gets to that stage of pregnancy [show] a bit of decency – stand her down,” he said.
Jenny-May has received a massive surge of support as a result of the inflammatory comments made in the letter, including her employer.
“We’re thrilled for Jenny-May,” a TVNZ spokesperson said. “Like a lot of Kiwi women, Jenny-May is working during her pregnancy. She’s not the first and she won’t be the last member of our news team to do so.
“Jenny-May’s a talented and professional broadcaster. It’s her choice to decide at what point she takes a break from her role and we’ll support her decision 100 per cent.”
Jenny-May responded on her Facebook page, thanking all those who had supported her.
“As a heavily pregnant woman I struggle with my own demons about my body changing shape but I choose to stay in front of the camera to encourage others to be proud of the job that we are doing – creating life,” she wrote. “It is a major privilege to carry and create a human being and in my case two. Just like it is a privilege to enter into your living rooms each weekend.”
15 years ago, I was asked to start maternity leave because I had less than 6 weeks to go. In actual fact, my employer had tried to bend the rules for 2 other women in the months just prior, and let them stay just a little longer. One just didn’t turn up one day (bub had arrived) and the other went into labour at work. So the 6 week rule was reinstated there, back then. Personally, I think it is up to the individual woman and how they are feeling (safety issues considered). I can’t believe that someone would write this, and then that the TV guide would publish it. Well done Jenny-May for your response.
My hubby and I followed Sarah Harris’s pregnancy on studio 10 every day and loved it..
This fellow that made this rude comment should have kept is mouth shut and changed channels.
PREGNANCY IS BEAUTIFUL.
Exactly – change channels it is easy. Pregnant women look beautiful and we have thankfully passed the era of women being confined to home when pregnant.
What a stupid thing to say old guy. When she comes on imagine she’s thin and toned and get over yourself, I’m glad the Herold posted because now you have shame attached to your name.
Good lord man unless this woman is lying on the sports desk with her legs in the air birthing her two babies on live television then your opinion would be valid, otherwise perhaps you should shut the hell up.
We should forgive the journalist – he is just voicing the view about pregnant women from his generation. I think it is marvelous that women can work for as long as they wish to during pregnancy. Besides the size of a pregnant belly does not always represent the duration of the pregnancy. Some women can be so far along and hardly show whilst some women will show in the first trimester. It would be interesting to see how he define his cut off point – by size or duration?
Is this a sad joke? Is it April Fools Day? Decency? Wishing this kind of thinking was as extinct as dinosaurs! Pregnant women look beautiful and this man came into the world via a pregnant woman! I am going to check the calendar again…
Good on her employers for standing up for her! We are long past the days of women in a heavily pregnant “state” having to hide away. A pregnant woman , I feel, is now celebrated and supported for the most part. I for one struggled with the changes pregnancy made to my body and I still am struggling to accept them so I truely hope she took this as nothing more than a prudish mans opinion and a TV guide’s attempt at publicity
Good on her… we should not be restricted by the fact we are pregnant when it comes to working unless it affects our physical health or the health of our babies…
The man who wrote the letter must feel like he has egg on his face now…
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mom94125 replied
- 22 Jan 2016 , 6:20 pm
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