If you’ve spent any time on social media at all, you’ve probably seen people making jokes about how some men have an issue with women having agency over their bodies. You may have heard of the growing problem of misogynistic male chauvinists trying to tell women what they can and cannot do with their lives, whether that’s regarding what to wear, what jobs to take or whether to have children or not. While it may seem like this issue is growing bigger each year and becoming more prevalent in our society, it has been around longer than you think.
What is 'Male Chauvinism'
Male chauvinism is an attitude that men are superior to women and have a natural right to dominate them. It is characterized by condescension, disdain, and patronization of women. A man exhibiting male chauvinist behaviour will typically believe that a woman's place is in the home or that she is intellectually inferior to him. He may belittle her abilities, undermine her authority, or give preferential treatment to other men over her.
Gender Inequality Still Exists
The uncomfortable truth is that gender inequality still exists to this day. A study from Stanford found that, when applying for a job, women are less likely to be called back after an initial interview if they use a masculine name (e.g., Jake) or wear more masculine clothing than women who use a feminine name (e.g., Sally) and dress more traditionally female. But it's not just men who are guilty of perpetuating these attitudes-female chauvinists can also be found across many fields of work, where they may discriminate against their male colleagues on behalf of other females. Women should take some responsibility and call out those men who perpetuate this cycle of discrimination.
Is Men's Rights Activism different from Male Chauvinism?
Male chauvinism has been around for centuries and is alive and well today. It manifests itself in several different ways, from physical violence to workplace discrimination to biased media coverage. Men's Rights Activists think that male chauvinists are being discriminated against and want men to have equal rights. They don't believe women should be treated differently than men because they feel it would be unequal.
Why Should you care About Male Chauvinists?
Male chauvinists are a growing problem. They believe that men should have power over women, by denying them equal opportunities. Women are still seen as objects to be controlled and used for their pleasure. This is an uncomfortable truth about male chauvinism, but it's time we face it head-on so we can tackle this problem together. So what do you think? Are you ready to stand up against sexism?
It may not seem like there's anything wrong with what they're doing at first, but if they don't respect women enough to give them equal opportunities, they're not worth your time. What will you say when someone tries to take advantage of you or refuses to give you a promotion because of your gender? Will you let society continue treating females as second-class citizens or will you speak out against injustice?
Take Action and Make an Impact
Male chauvinist jokes are not just an antiquated relic of 20th-century sexism. The male chauvinist attitude persists today and needs to be addressed. It is up to us, as modern men and women, to speak out against this type of behaviour when it occurs and refuses to tolerate it on either side.
If you know someone who tells chauvinist jokes or makes sexist comments, ask them politely if they realize that it is both inappropriate and offensive. Together we can make a difference. To show our support for equality in all aspects of life, take the pledge to no longer tell chauvinist jokes yourself. Doing so will help keep these topics from being accepted and allow for change to happen more quickly.
Men may be hesitant to call each other out on their chauvinistic attitudes because of how difficult the topic is to discuss.
Calling it out in a polite manner is key, so long as your intention is genuine. Do what you can to prevent your peers from making sexist remarks by changing the way that you communicate with others.
By breaking down stigmas and talking about these issues, we can work towards a future where people feel comfortable expressing themselves without fearing judgement or backlash due to their gender identity or expression.
Written by - Aastha Monga
Edited by - Kritika Sharma
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