Public assertions of privilege

Research, then, has shown that expansive body postures that take up room instill a psychological sense of power and entitlement. The fact that this behavior is gendered may go some way towards explaining the persistence of gender inequality and, more pointedly, some men’s belief that they have earned their unearned privileges.

So it turns out blokes sit like they sit on the bus because this gives them a sense of power, research shows (PDF). As men still are socialised much more than women to assert their authority, it makes sense that they (we) claim space in public transports in ways women don’t. This is not an excuse to keep doing this. Once you know that you are doing this and why, it’s up to you to stop it.