Sexism

Sexism is a collection of actions and attitudes against or belittles a person or judges them on the basis of perpetuating traditional gender stereotypes roles. The term patriarchy is currently used to refer to the mentality of men towards women. Traditionally, based on the male line, the rights to nationality and property are passed; this is because women were deemed weaker relative to male peers. Before the 20th century, women had restricted rights to own land, women had no right to vote, or they were subject to husbands or fathers in most situations. At present, some countries, for instance, Yemen women cannot leave their houses without the husband’s authority. While the word sexism dates back in the 1960s, it became quite popular in the mid-1968-1969 after the rising of the women liberations. Women in the countries located in the east made an appeal to the United Nations to enforce the rights of women. The gay’s and women’s liberation movement which arose mainly in the United States and Britain in the late 1960s was successful in raising the public cognizance about sexism (Douglas, 2010).The society has failed to acknowledge that gender disparity or inequality in power and status between women and men continues to exist at present. Women continue to be paid lower wages when compared to male. The government offices and large corporations are spaces frequently that are in many cases dominated by men. Those women that compete with men for the highest positions that exist in this institution end up facing a hostile sexism. Women are also prejudiced as sensitive, delicate, and affectionate (Gilbert, 2015). Those people who hold sexist belief believe that women need to provide for since they are weak. Gender Roles in SocietyThe gender role in the society is based on the various expectations that communities and groups of people on sex. These roles are the products of interaction between people and the environment, and they give people cues about the type of behavior that is appropriate for a particular sex. Gender roles are roles that women and men expect to occupy based on their sex. For instance, in the traditional west women were considered to be nurturing than men. Men, on the other hand, were considered to be leaders. This means that the men should be head and provide for the family regarding financial support. These perceptions remain to be dominant in many parts of the world or society. The alternative perspectives based on the past gender roles gained an accumulative support in the 20th century. Solution to SexismThe fight to end oppression on a particular gender should take center stage in the society and labor movements. The community needs to be clear that sexism or any other form of discrimination, bullying, and intimidation are not acceptable. The society can also come up with unions for collective action. These groups should be political, democratic and rooted in their membership. Some of the present unions have better policies on violence against women and sexual harassment, but the policies are not action. The former union must be action based. I have witnessed various instances of sexism in our society. First, some women earn less in certain organization even if they are doing the same task with men. And secondly, some women have been forced to stay at home and take care of children as men go to work because men are considered as providers.ReferencesDouglas, S. (2010). Enlightened sexism. New York: Times Books.Gilbert, J. (2015). Sexism. London: Lawrence & Wishart.