SexismPatriarchy Essay Research Paper SexismPatriarchyBrian S Slevin

Sexism-Patriarchy Essay, Research Paper

Sexism-Patriarchy

Brian S. Slevin

Sexism by definition is discrimination by members of one sex against the

other, especially by men against women, based on the assumption that one sex is

superior. It regards women as inherently inferior intellectually,

psychologically, and physically to man. This view, is shared by both men and

women, and has historically shaped institutions of world society. It has been

continued through the cultural modification of groups of people through

prolonged and continuous interaction involving intercultural exchange of

generations of children with resulting differences between the sexes.

On-job sexual discrimination such as low-level work experience caused by

traditional sexist viewpoints has hindered allot of female job promotion. Women

with the same qualifications as a man that applied for a job would be turned

down based on the simple fact that they are a woman. Prior to the Women’s

movement women were constantly discriminated against in this manner. Sexual

discrimination still exists but its occurrence has drastically reduced, subtle

discrimination is however, still quite prevalent in our society. Salary is one

aspect of this still present discrimination, a vast majority of women employed

in the work force today receive less of a paycheck for the same amount of hours

worked on the same jobs as men. This is reinforced by the low number of women

who have a high paying, high powered job. There are a significantly higher

number of women who have little or no power in decision making and earn a low

salary. The women that do get promoted are often the subjects of rumor and

remarks made in poor taste. Men just can’t stand to see they’re egos shattered

and so they lash out against the woman with authority. They demean her position

and make it seem less important or trivial. All of this does hurt female self-

esteem and is just one of the ways sexism hurts women.

Women are not just harassed verbally but physically. “As in the movie

Flashdance, the male employer comes on to the female employee. In lawsuits,

such “coming on” is considered sexual harassment; by definition it is considered

a misuse of his power. When she resists and he persists, as in both the movie

and the Harlequin formula, it is an even clearer form of sexual harassment.” In

many cases if a woman does not give in to a man’s sexual advances she stands the

chance of losing her job! This was the tendency and in many instances still is

the tendency of many men who have authority over women. Sexism runs rampant in

every facet of our society. It even reached the Presidency a number of times

and the Supreme Court. Two prominent examples are Bill Clinton and the

accusations made by Jennifer Flowers and Judge Thomas’s alleged sexual remarks

to Anita Hill. Granted these were never a hundred percent proven cases of sexual

harassment but they are sufficient enough to show that sexism reaches everywhere

in our society.

Women in many instances have to be very cautious as to what they wear to

work. If they’re employer finds them attractive it could mean a sexist advance

or two. Any woman has to be on her guard against traditional sexist men. “If

femininity got lost in the pursuit of independence, a woman would lose power

(because real power means having control over one’s life), which is having the

option to work and not to lose one’s gentler side.” Sexist tendencies don’t

just abuse women in the work place but also at home. The traditional sexist

view of a head of any household is the man. When this idea is threatened, it is

as if their masculinity were being stripped away.

Physical violence is sometimes caused by a sexist man who feels as though

he has to reclaim his home. This is the type of man that feels women should be

kept underfoot. There are plenty of other reasons men batter their wives, but

this ranks highly among them. Contrary to popular beliefs (both of men and

women) the incidents of men who are physically violated in comparison with

women is relatively equal.

Sexist men are influenced by many sources in society, one very basic source

is that of the father. He would often, inadvertently and sometimes purposely

plant the seed of sexism in an impressionable young mind. The media, which is

also sexist tends to portray a woman at home cooking, cleaning, and taking care

of her children. Now with the accusations of sexism running rampant in the

media they have toned down on female portrayal as being weak. They now have

more opposition then they used to have from feminist organizations (National

Organization for Women) and Brian S. Slevin discrimination laws.

Today’s sexist man is a careful and disheartened individual. Long gone are

the days when sexist viewpoints can run free in society. This is allowing women

to fi

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