Sexism

Sexism is prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination based on a person's sex or gender, particularly against women and girls. It is rooted in the belief that one gender is superior to another, leading to an imbalance of power and unequal treatment. These include:

1. Hostile sexism: Openly negative attitudes towards women, such as believing they are manipulative or inferior to men.

2. Benevolent sexism: Positive but patronizing attitudes, such as viewing women as pure, innocent, and in need of men's protection.

3. Ambivalent sexism: The combination of both hostile and benevolent sexist attitudes.

4. Internalized sexism: When women unconsciously adopt and perpetuate sexist beliefs and behaviors.

5. Interpersonal sexism: Sexism expressed directly to a woman during interactions with others, such as making sexist jokes or talking down to women.

6. Institutional sexism: Sexist attitudes and gender discrimination embedded into the policies, laws, and practices of organizations and social institutions.

7. Misogyny: The most extreme and overt form of sexism characterized by hatred, contempt, and prejudice against women.

For example, a qualified woman might be passed over for a job promotion in favor of a less qualified man due to sexist assumptions about women's abilities, an instance of institutional sexism. Feminism, a movement that advocates for gender equality and challenges sexist attitudes and practices, has played a crucial role in identifying and combating various forms of sexism.

Terms

• Benevolent sexism: Positive but patronizing attitudes, such as viewing women as pure, innocent, and in need of men's protection.

• Feminism: A movement that advocates for gender equality and challenges sexist attitudes and practices.

• Gender discrimination: Unfair treatment of someone based on their gender or sex.

• Hostile sexism: Openly negative attitudes towards women, such as believing they are manipulative or inferior to men.

• Institutional sexism: Sexist attitudes and gender discrimination embedded into the policies, laws, and practices of organizations and social institutions.

• Internalized sexism: When women unconsciously adopt and perpetuate sexist beliefs and behaviors.

Analogy

Imagine a world where everyone wears tinted glasses, but the tint is different for men and women. Men's glasses make the world appear one way, while women's glasses distort their view differently. These glasses represent sexism – a lens that colors how society perceives and treats people based on their gender. For instance, a man's assertiveness might be seen as leadership through his glasses, while a woman's similar behavior is viewed as bossiness through hers.

Misconception

Many people believe that sexism only refers to blatant, intentional acts of discrimination against women. However, sexism often operates subtly through unconscious biases. Even individuals who consider themselves unbiased can harbor sexist attitudes without realizing it. These implicit biases lead people to judge and treat others differently based on gender. For example, a teacher might unconsciously call on boys more often in math class, reinforcing the stereotype that boys are naturally better at math than girls.

History

1. Ancient civilizations: Some societies, like ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, had periods of relative gender equality, with women holding positions of power and influence.

2. Middle Ages: Women's rights deteriorated significantly, with strict gender roles and limited opportunities for education and work.

3. Pre-20th century: Sexism was rampant and largely unchallenged. Women were denied basic rights and treated as property.

4. Early 1900s: Women's suffrage movements fought for the right to vote, challenging sexist laws and attitudes.

5. 1960s-1980s: Second-wave feminism emerged, coining the term "sexism" and tackling issues like workplace discrimination and reproductive rights.

6. 1990s-2000s: "Postfeminism" and backlash against feminism arose, but sexism persisted in subtle forms.

7. 2010s-present: The #MeToo movement exposed the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault. Efforts to end sexism continue, but gender inequalities remain.

How to use it

1. Recognize and call out sexist language and behavior when you encounter it, whether it's a sexist joke or a colleague interrupting a woman in a meeting.

2. Reflect on your own unconscious biases and notice if you judge men and women differently in various situations.

3. Support policies and initiatives that promote gender equality in the workplace, education, politics, and media.

Facts

• Women earn, on average, 82 cents for every dollar men earn (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020).

• Only 8.2% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women (Fortune, 2021).

• In the U.S., 1 in 4 women experience intimate partner violence (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence).

• Women make up just 27% of characters in top-grossing films (Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, 2021).

• Globally, 1 in 3 women have experienced physical or sexual violence (World Health Organization).