Sexism

Sexism

Introduction

Sexism is a form of discrimination or devaluation based on a person’s sex. It is based on beliefs in traditional stereotypes or the roles of gender lose and mostly used in discriminating against women. In some cases, it is associated with hatred against a certain gender. It normally goes with gender supremacy where the male discriminate the female population. Human beings can be judged according to the basis of their essential characteristics of the group in which an individual belongs, which in this case according to the sex. It assumes that every individual fit in a category of male or female and it takes into account who identify as either or both.  Sexism has different stereotypes that are associated with gender.

The essay analyses the various gender stereotypes that are associated with sexism.

In the gender stereotypes, there are false beliefs and view towards the male and females. There is a common believe by both sex that men are rational, active, competitive and aggressive than the female who are more emotional, passive  and dependent. W. intimates that, in some societies, there are views that men are more valued and more competent than women are at most things. There is also the division of labor whereby some jobs are specifically set aside for the different sex.

The gender stereotypes often facilitate and impede intellectual performance. For instance, the performance of women in certain subjects is lowered by stereotype threat. People’s own assessments of level of competence are affected by the stereotypes. The self-assessment can have far-reaching effects for they can shape ones education and career decisions.

In the gender-role stereotypes, the women labor markets may be determined by the cultural and social values that normally discriminate against women. In some societies, women educational choices are dictated either by their expectation that they cannot fit in some employment opportunities by them believing that they are not available for them, but they are created for male. W. asserts that the choice can also be dictated by the beliefs of the society. For instance, in some societies, women have faced obstacles in gaining entry into certain professional, which are perceived to be professions for men. Even if, women have gained entry into these professions, they were normally denied the chance to exercise their skills. In other cases, there is discrimination against women where they are paid low wages than their male counterparts in the same field. 

Parents play an essential role in the creation of values and perceptions of their children. For instance, in many societies, the girl child has to remain back at home to help her mother with housework while the boys went out with their fathers to do technical jobs. This makes the children grow up knowing that there are particular jobs that are specifically for a given gender.

In addition, there is discrimination against the women whereby there are barriers for the overweight women to work in particular professions hence the overweight men are allowed to work in such professions. This tendency to look out the overweight women is harsh as the overweight male, are allowed to work. There is gender pay gap that is attributed to personal differences and the characteristics of the work place between men and women.

In conclusion, the gender stereotypes in sexism is that there are false believes about the male and female where there are views that men are more valued and more competent than women are at most things. The gender stereotypes often facilitate and impede intellectual performance. The women in labor markets may be determined by the cultural and social values that discriminate against the women. Parents have a significant influence on their children’s values and perceptions.