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Recommended: Modern sexism theory
Since the beginning of history, sexism has always been a prominent barrier between
sexes. The notion that women are not on the same level as men has always been in existence. We
see that even during the book of exodus this belief stems from the creation of Eve, through a rib
of Adam. From scripture, Eve's roll was to be considered as a servant and a temptress, the sole
reason why Adam ate the apple. Consequently Eve is blamed as being the reason mankind is not
living in a paradise. Sexism has continued throughout ancient history and continues occur in our
own environment to this day.
Sexism is defined as the discrimination or hatred against people based on their gender
rather then their individual merits. This is shown though a common modern day event; a girl
cannot play in a hockey league because of her gender, similarly a male cannot be a part of many
cheerleading squads because of his gender. There are many groups and movements that make
this more aware to the public eye and help bring light to these issues but sexism will continue in
our world as it has since the roots of mankind's creation.
Sexism in its general usage is directed against females. A poll taken from a university in
the states reported that 66% of the student body believed that males were the superior gender.
Perhaps the grounds of this biased thinking is derived from older customs. In ancient Greece,
dating back over twenty-five hundred years ago, women were born as property of their fathers.
This ownership shifted to the husband as the woman grew older. Women were also seen not
worthy of male accompaniment, in older days women were to bring doweries to their husbands.
These doweries would often be gold, valuables or even livestock which were used as "payment"
for marriage. This is a prime example of how many sexist laws, beliefs or teaching would have
been rooted from ancient and cultural pasts.
In its extreme form sexism towards females is known as misogyny. There are many
different forms of misogyny. In its most fierce form, a misogynist will openly hate all women
simply because they are women. Some cultures or religions are very misogynist because they
demand a different set of expectations from women. In the middle east where the Islamic
religion is very popular women are required to be almost completely covered in black clothing
Sexism is a highly talked about issue read about online, seen in the news, and experienced in the day to day lives of many. The importance of this issue can be found in many writings. Authors such as Sandra Cisneros, Linda Hasselstrom, and Judy Brady have all discussed the topic of sexism in writings and how they affected their lives. Although each writer addresses the issue of sexism, each author confronts a different type of sexism; the kind we are born into, the kind we learn growing up, and the kind that is accepted by society at the end of the day.
Sexism is the ideology that maintains that one sex is inherently inferior to the other. Sexism or discrimination based on gender has been a social issue for many years; it is the ideology that one sex is superior or inferior to the other. Sexism does not only affect females, but also males. Men are very often victimized by social stereotypes and norms based on gender expectations. Sexism has appears in almost all social institutions including family, the media, religion, sports, the military, politics, and the government. However, although both genders are affected, men have benefited from sexism the most (Thompson 300-301.)
Women felt that there was something wrong with them if they did not enjoy their housewife
Women were confronted by many social obligation in the late nineteenth century. Women were living lives that reflected their social rank. They were expected to be economically dependent and legally inferior. No matter what class women were in, men were seen as the ones who go to work and make the money. That way, the women would have to be dependent since they were not able to go to work and make a good salary. No matter what class a woman was in, she could own property in her own name. When a woman became married she " lost control of any property she owned, inherited, or earned" ( Kagan et al. 569). A woman's legal identity was given to her husband.
hold land, inherit it, sell it or give it away and plead for it in law courts, most of a woman's life was spent under the guardian ship of a man" (Gies 41). These set standards for the
In today’s technological society it is hard to imagine that trivial things from the past like discrimination or prejudice are still present, but they are. Yes we still have racism, but for the most part this is only a problem of the less educated and vocal minority. There is a different prejudice that is deep rooted in this land of freedom and prosperity. This prejudice is sexism.
Even in the first civilizations sexsim was very prevalent, women were not included in democracy, they were not allowed to vote, and in some earlier civilizations women were not even allowed to have a job or go outside the home. Even as a 16 year old girl in America, the supposed land of dreams, I see sexism everyday. I see it when I watch the news, I see it when I’m walking down the halls at my school, I even see it when I read novels and articles or watch a movie online. Over 60% of serious journalism roles are given to males, while the women are left with the less important, or less popular sections. In school I see boys calling girls stupid, or girls getting a pass to go to their locker because they forgot something, even though a boy was just denied. I notice sexism the most in literature and movies, I see female characters being “airheads” or acting dumb and helpless, their main role in the piece is to wait for the male character to save them, or to be a comic relief. Not only are women’s jobs and dignity at stake but our sexuality, education and rights are too.
... history, it is proven that gender changes along with social, political, and cultural change. Despite all, many women continue to face other kinds of discrimination. Women continue to experience sexism, the idea of traditional gender roles. Women are still thought to be more involved in taking care of their children and the household. Women often face unconscious stereotypes in the workplace as well. In some cases, women have a less change of obtaining better, and higher paying jobs. Women often don’t get promoted to higher positions in office, despite their qualifications and experiences. Female candidates running for public office experience forms of sexism as well. The variations and adaptions of society are evidence that reinforce the idea that gender is formed under social construction rather than the essence from biology alone.
women are now able to vote, receive a standard of fairness in the workplace, hold
When women are often perceived they are thought of as a complicated, uneducated, person who should only stay inside the home to prepare dinner and take care of the children, at least in the 17th century. Now women are fighting for equal rights just as their counterparts and while they are still complicated and well-educated people it was not always this way women have been fighting this same fight for countless centuries before this time trying to be known as being just as important as their male acquaintances. The first time equality between men and women was thought of was in the 18th century during the enlightenment period.
The degradation of the married woman in the Victorian era existed not only in that she was stripped of all her legal rights but also that no obligations were placed in her realm. Upon marriage, Victorian brides relinquished all rights to property and personal wealth to their husbands. Women were, under the law, “legally incompetent and irresponsible.” A married woman was entitled to no legal recourse in any matter, unless it was sponsored and endorsed by her husband. Helpless in the eyes of civil authority, the married woman was in the same category with “criminals, lunatics, and minors” (Vicinus 7). Eighteenth-century, English jurist, William Blackstone curtly described her legal status, “in law a husband and wife are one person, and the husband is that person” (Jones 402).
she did eat it; and she gave it unto her husband..." (Genesis 3.6). Eve, out of
Sexism is a major factor in the workforce.Today male and female have a hard time breaking into the opposite gender dominated fields. This has happened because of the media, it has showed us that male have certain “right” jobs, as well as female. Female still dominate traditional female professions like cosmetology jobs are 92.9 percent women working them(Wolfe). If a man were to get into cosmetology they would most likely be judged for having that job, because we stereotype that they can't have a feminine job. Women have a harder time getting into high level positions. “Women make up only 21 of the S&P’s 500 CEOs,” (Berman). This has happened because the media has set in place stereotypes that it is wrong for women to have high level positions. It is getting better, in 2013 women chief financial officers increased 35 percent at large U.S. companies from 2012 (Frier and Hymowitz). The job market for men and women is still unfair but it is starting to get equal.
Benevolent sexism is often betrayed as chivalrous behavior towards women, however it is sexist because women are viewed as people who need men to protect them. People who are benevolent sexist believe men are supposed to keep women safe and secure. For instance, if a woman is walking down the street with a man and a car is coming the man is supposed to make sure the woman is safe. In other words, men are supposed to risk themselves to make sure women feel safe and protected. Benevolent sexism is an issue, because it displays gender inequality. In other words, women are put on a pedestal because they are viewed as fragile. Benevolent sexism is different from hostile sexism, because women are not viewed as weak. Hostile sexism is viewed women who use seduction and other methods to control men. In other words, women are viewed negatively because hostile sexist believe they are challenging traditional gender roles. Women who do not conform to benevolent sexism are often viewed negatively, because they are not allowing patriarchalism to continue. Overall, hostile and benevolent sexism differ and views often affect
Sexism is discrimination against a person based on their gender, especially on women. Sexism in language is the use of language which devalues members on one sex, almost always women, showing gender inequality. In the 1960/70’s there was a feminist campaign in Western Countries and a lot of research was conducted into gender inequality. The feminist campaign demanded that gender equality should be eliminated from the educational system (Shi, 2001.) The existence of sexist language is due to sexism in society and it is also related to social attitudes.