Australia, a land frequently lauded for its radiant beaches, easygoing way of life, and welcoming inhabitants, undoubtedly holds a special allure for many.
However, like any nation, beneath this appealing facade lie complexities and challenges that aren’t always immediately apparent.
Recently, a young British expat living on the Gold Coast has sparked a significant conversation by shedding light on what she perceives as the ‘unspoken dark side’ of Australian culture.
Eloise Juliet came to Australia to study and took to social media to express her concerns, which quickly escalated into a media firestorm.
Her bold claim that Australia has a ‘dark’ problem, one that she believes is ‘worse’ than in other cultures she’s experienced, has certainly ruffled feathers.
Despite the backlash, Juliet maintained her affection for the country, stating, ‘Australia, I still love you even if you don’t love me anymore.’
Her observations about a lack of emotional availability and the prevalent misogyny in Australian society have resonated with some and sparked debate among others.
Juliet argued that Australian men often act ‘strangely towards women’ and ‘treat them like objects’, a sentiment that has been echoed by other expats and locals alike.
‘It’s just a lot worse here,’ she asserted in the video that has received over half a million views.
In her final statement, she clarified that she intended to share her perspective and ‘make other people who have had that same experience as me feel less alone.’
‘And maybe just spark some conversation among people about why this is happening and what we could do about it.’
The conversation Juliet hoped to ignite is indeed happening. Her followers have shared their own experiences, with one commenting, ‘Your video made me feel very heard.’
Another wrote: ‘Moved to the Gold Coast last September at 18, and also go to university here but moving back to England in June.’
Nonetheless, some concurred that there is a ‘sharp divide between the sexes’ and that many individuals in this nation lack emotional openness.
‘There’s this weird, oppressive, strange sensation in the air where you can feel I’m not supposed to really share anything genuinely authentic about how I’m feeling. There’s this sense that if you do so, you are not safe, and it will not be well received because people here don’t know how to receive it,’ she explained.
The issue of gender relations in Australia is not new. In 2023, an expat who had lived in Australia for 15 years gained immense popularity after writing an extensive essay that criticised their new home, identifying numerous issues similar to those highlighted by Juliet.
They described a pronounced gender gap and a casual approach to social interactions, and they expressed that life in Australia felt akin to living in the 1970s.
The political landscape has also reflected these concerns, albeit inconsistently. In contrast to past federal election campaigns, the topics of violence against women and overall perceptions of women in Australian society have not been significant discussion points leading up to the 3 May election.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has referred to violence against women as a ‘national crisis’, and Opposition leader Peter Dutton has suggested a Royal Commission to address the issue.
Independent Member of Parliament Zoe Daniel asked: ‘Why is no one talking about violence against women in the lead up to the election, when women are being killed at rate of more than one a week.’
On the other hand, Dutton’s Liberal party had to disassociate from a candidate who believed that women should not participate in the Australian Defence Force.
A Plan International Australia Gender Compass survey highlighted a disconnect between perception and reality regarding gender equality in Australia.
‘While 60 per cent of people believe we are close to or have already achieved gender equality, real-world data on the gender pay gap, workplace discrimination and under-representation of women in leadership tell a different story,’ Susanne Legena, chief executive of Plan International Australia, said.
‘The fact that 50 per cent of Australians believe women are treated fairly in most areas of life ignores persistent challenges such as unpaid labour disparities, gender-based violence on our streets and in our homes and systemic barriers in career advancement.’
The survey found that Australia still has significant progress to make in attaining gender equality, with 30 per cent of participants expressing the belief that there is a conflict against men.
Have you noticed a ‘dark side’ to Australian culture? Do you believe there is a significant gender divide? How can Australians work towards greater emotional openness and gender equality? Your insights are valuable, and we look forward to a respectful and constructive dialogue in the comments below.
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