Hatred of Meghan has reached grotesque levels. This would not happen to a man

Carly Dober, policy co-ordinator for the Australian Association of Psychologists agrees, citing the treatment of Markle as the perpetuation of a patriarchal trope of taking down unlikeable women who don’t obey conventional norms.

“Women are easy pickings,” she explains. “Men get threatened by women in positions of power because it challenges the status quo, especially if, like Markle, they don’t follow the rules.”

Loading

“Historically, women’s behaviour has been something to be policed and critiqued through a set of rules such as how they look, act, dress and talk. The same kind of policing does not happen to men.”

It would be easy to think of Meghan as an anomaly, but sadly she’s not. Cue Blake Lively and her upcoming case against co-star and director Justin Baldoni. Anyone would think the actress is killing kittens with the volume of contempt and spite she is also copping, with “diva”, “bitch” and “schemer” accusations flying and sticking.

Yes, the behind-the-scenes machinations of a Hollywood star allegedly throwing her weight around, making unreasonable demands of her director and alleging sexual misconduct are titillating. But I can’t help but think these accusations would not be viewed as heinous should Lively be a bloke.

Markle and Lively might have made mistakes, spoken out of turn, been demanding– whatever. But this level of condemnation is not commensurate. The glee with which they are being brought down to size is ugly. It’s a feast of schadenfreude.

Which reminds me of the first time I experienced the unsettling tug at my conscience I am experiencing while witnessing the virtual witch burnings of these women today. I was a child and the victim that time was Lindy Chamberlain. Remember how that persecution turned out?

Wendy Squires is a writer and author.

The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here.