Plibersek criticises MAFS contestant’s ‘obedient’ woman comment

Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has accused popular reality TV show Married At First Sight of normalising toxic gender roles and giving coercive control a “national platform” after a male contestant likened his ideal female partner to an “obedient” dog.

Ms Plibersek, whose portfolio includes domestic, family and sexual violence, warned parents not to let their children watch the show, after pointing to misogynistic messaging displayed in a clip from companion series MAFS: After the Dinner Party.

“When men who idolise ‘submissive’ and ‘obedient’ women are normalised on prime-time TV, it means coercive control is given a national platform,” Ms Plibersek wrote in a social media post.

“That’s not entertaining, it’s incredibly dangerous,” she added.

“This is the exact kind of cultural messaging we’re trying to change.

“Messaging which encourages control and dehumanises women, which is supercharged by algorithms peddling misogyny for profit.”

This messaging was the “very reason” Labor had introduced its landmark social media ban, Ms Plibersek said, to delay children from being exposed to toxic, misogynistic content.

“Please don’t expose your kids to this stuff,” she wrote.

“And let’s continue to call out this behaviour for what it is – the harmful need to exert control over women dressed up as a normal part of a relationship.”

Ms Plibersek’s social media post also included a clip of the controversial moment, in which host Laura Byrne pushes back on contestant Tyson Gordon’s requirements for a romantic partner to be submissive.

“If you want someone who is obedient, yes, it’s controlling, and you want a dog,” Mr Byrne said.

“Ok, well there you go, maybe that’s what I want,” Mr Gordon replied.

He later clarified his comments, saying: “I don’t want a dog. I want to be the man of the house. I want to be a leader … I’m sure every female wants that.”

Channel 9 has been contacted for comment.