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

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