The term ‘manspreading’ is men sitting with their legs wide apart in public places.
According to the online Oxford dictionary, manspreading describes “the practice whereby a man adopts a sitting position with his legs wide apart, in such a way as to encroach on an adjacent seat.”
But a woman has found a solution to this problem.
Laila Laurel who is a 3D Design & Craft graduate from the University of Brighton has designed a chair which has a triangular seat to encourage men to sit with their legs closed.
The 23-year-old said: “It came both from my own experiences of men infringing on my space in public and also from ‘The Everyday Sexism Project’, a website founded by Laura Bates in which women self-testify about the sexism they experience.
“With my chair set, I hoped to draw awareness to the act of sitting for men and women and inspire discussion around this.”
She was awarded the Belmond Award for emerging talent and judging panel said ‘a bold, purpose-driven design that explores the important role of design in informing space, a person’s behavior and society issues of today.’
Laurel said: “I am completely shocked but very happy and honored to have won the Belmond Award – and I am looking forward to designing with them this year.”
Dr. Eddy Elton, a senior architecture and design lecturer at the University of Brighton, said: “Over the past month our students and staff have come together to work tirelessly on its design.”
“Winning the award at such a prestigious event, which is recognized by the professional design community, was an amazing achievement for our students and university.”
“Seeing our students being called to the stage to receive this award is something I will be forever proud of.”
Laurel also created a second chair intended for women which uses a small piece of wood in the center of the seat, which encourages them to sit with their legs a little wider apart.