Sexism Today

“Sexism, like racism, goes with us into the next century. I see class warfare as overshadowing both,” stated Constance Baker Motley, a civil rights activist (Constance Baker Motley). The world has experienced gender inequality for countless years. Sexism can be directed at both men and women. However, most commonly women are seen as inferior to the superior male population. Webster’s New World College Dictionary describes sexism as “discrimination against people on the basis of sex; specifically prejudicial stereotyping of women” (Agnes, pg. 1,314). Over the years equality between genders has improved; however, many people still face the effects of sexism.

When thinking about the past, our minds automatically think of the brilliant male figures that have shaped today’s world. No one ever thinks of the women that have had a major impact. Ruth Rosen, a history professor at University of California at Berkeley, asked her students to recall their favorite historical event and research information on women during that time period. Most students found little to no information. Roles played in society should not be based solely on a person’s gender. For example, the position as chief executive, president, of the United States has always landed in the hands of a man. This is partly due to the opinion that women

are seen as “unfit” for this responsibility. “Sexism has been around since man has existed. It has always been a part of our world and will forever be a part of it…” (Sexism). There will always be some form of discrimination towards females and their abilities. However, improvement of equality between genders can still be achieved in the future.
An area where sexism is extremely common is in the work force. Large corporations and companies are usually lead by males, while females pick up the slack as secretaries, or assistants. “In 2014, women working full time in the United States typically were paid just 79 percent of what men were paid, a gap of 21 percent,” (Hill). In the state of Arizona, full-time working men make an average of seven thousand more dollars annually than full-time working women. The largest pay gap is in Louisiana, with an annual difference of 16,796 dollars. Females not only face a financial gap in common everyday careers, but in professional athletics as well.
Sports after college are an entirely different experience for men compared to women. The sports world is dominated by male athletics. Women’s professional sports are not advertised or televised nearly as much as men’s are. A major professional sport that is viewed differently based off of gender is basketball. For example, the highest paid NBA athlete, Lebron James, makes an annual salary of 30,963,450 dollars. Compared to the highest paid WNBA athlete, who makes at most 107,000 dollars per year. Not only is there a major wage gap, but also women are overlooked because they are seen as weaker performers when it comes to physical activity.
From the time we are born we are told and given things that are specified to our gender.

Baby boys sleep in painted blue rooms and grow up playing with toy trucks. While, little girls pretend to be princesses as they sit around a table with an empty teapot and cups. Gender roles don’t disappear as people grow older. Men attend work to provide food on the table and a roof over their families heads. Women usually spend most of their time nurturing their kids, keeping the house clean, and attending to anyone’s needs in the family. Although, gender discrimination has improved slightly over the years the term “housewife” will forever remain in America’s

vocabulary.
Sexism has severely affected past generations and will continue to affect those of the future. Since the beginning of time, men have been perceived as the superior sex. Historic events marked in the pages of history books fail to recognize women in the same limelight given to men. Not only do females suffer from a financial gap in the workforce, but are also seen as weaker performers in athletic activities compared to men. Society has separated the expectations of both genders into two categories: masculine and feminine traits. Inequality between genders has affected the United State’s and entire world’s society for centuries, whether it be financially, professionally, or athletically; however, the gap is beginning to diminish.