Sexual discrimination or sexism is the prejudiced treatment of an individual by their gender or sex (MacKinnon, 2018). Evidently, the problem does not only affect women but also men and as such everybody should team up to counter sexism to accomplish wholesome gains. In this paper, the prime importance of holistic teamwork in combatting sexism is exemplified through personal and general experiences of men that inform the need for cooperation between all sexes for mutual benefits.
When Men Experience Sexism
In the Atlantic’s article on sexism in men, a concern is voiced on the discrimination that men endure in divorce alimony payments, child custody, corporal punishment, prison rapes, genocides, and gendercides. According to the article, such experiences should help men to unite with progressive feminists to counter discriminations instead of pitting them against each other. This cooperation enhances mutual benefit between men and women in countering sexism (Berlatsky, 2018).
Everyone’s Benefit
The cross-gender cooperation between feminists and men rights activists provide a rigid alliance and prevents differences for everyone’s benefit. Furthermore, gender stereotypes are better addressed through similar efforts that women have utilized in the past. Evidently, the fact that women have been involved in the fight for quite some years, cooperation in addressing custodial and alimony policies, corporal punishment and prison rape is helpful (Berlatsky, 2018).
Personal Experience and Advice
Personally, I have experienced indifference in the punishment of boys versus girls as well as custodial discrimination. The preference of corporal disciplining of boys and bias towards mothers’ child custody is a rive reality in our societies. It is therefore vital that parents, communities and the state diversify the fight for gender equity through sensitivity to male and female plight (Kramer, 2013).
Conclusion
In conclusion, sexism is an undesirable social and economic evil that deserves more attention. With the recent indication of male victims, the whole society, as opposed to only feminists, should push for reforms. In doing so, the discrimination menace can be eradicated for a better society.
References
Berlatsky, N. (2018). When Men Experience Sexism. [online] The Atlantic. Available at: https://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/05/when-men-experience- sexism/276355/ [Accessed 6 Apr. 2018].
Kramer, Z. A. (2013). The new sex discrimination. Duke LJ, 63, 891.
MacKinnon, C. A. (2018). Difference and Dominance: On Sex Discrimination [1984]. In Feminist legal theory (pp. 81-94). Routledge.
