The term sexism refers to the disadvantages experienced by individuals as a result of their association with a particular gender (Genoways et al., 2003). Males and females are both victims of sexism in their personal and professional lives. Raising voice against sexist behavior will end the daily life miseries experienced by both genders.
When Men Experience Sexism
Men may perceive that they are at an advantage due to their gender and a patriarchal system followed by the society. This perception is far away from reality and they also experience disadvantages while being in a superior position (Kimmel, 2010) For example Berlatsky states that men have to experience the disadvantage of paying alimony in case of divorce even when their ex-wife is an earning individual (Berlatsky, 2013). Furthermore, they are expected to participating in the battlefield during war times (Berlatsky, 2013). The sexual abuse they experience in prison is even ignored (Berlatsky, 2013). All these examples of men experiencing sexism is due to them being considered stronger and the bread earners. Therefore, the patriarchal nature of the society itself turns out to be disadvantageous for men.
Everyone’s Benefit
Ending sexism is beneficial for both genders. Men can achieve this by standing against stereotypical gender roles in the same way female gender has been revolting against sexism. The male gender needs to promote the idea that men and women have similar capabilities. For example women have increased their participation in the workforce to prove that they can perform same tasks as men do (Berlatsky, 2013). Similarly the male gender can participate in household chores as women to prove that they are no different than females. Berlatsky states that women in a divorce are entitled 90% of the time with the custody of the children (Berlatsky, 2013). This is because they have proven to be able to earn and take care of children. Similarly men can prove that they can also look after their children and earn at the same time. This will help in eradicating the idea that men cannot bring up children without a female member. Furthermore, Bertlatsky also promotes the idea that unlike women, men do not raise their voice against rape in order to prove that they are strong (Berlatsky, 2013). Due to this the society’s concerns about male rape are almost never heightened. If men start protesting the same way against rape as women do, they may also be able to fight against rape.
Personal Experience and Advice
I have personally witnessed the male gender being at a disadvantage due to the gender roles expected from him. One of my uncles was the sole earning member in the family. While his wife used to look after the house and children. He ended up experiencing unemployment. As a consequence of that he experienced divorce and his wife received the custody of the children. His wife started working and doing odd jobs and was raising the children alongside. My uncle had to pay for various expenses of his children even when they were not living with him. He did not have a job at the same time. He is still doing odd jobs and is left with little money to manage his expenses as much of he has to contribute to bringing up his children. He is experiencing this disadvantage because he never took interested in raising the children. If he would have allowed his wife to work alongside him and would have looked after the children at the same time, he would also have been considered eligible to get the custody of the children.
Conclusion
Sexism can only be eradicated if men and women share similar roles. The roles that are expected from them by the society need to be eradicated. If men and women both perform similar roles, the society will stop following the lines of patriarchy.
References
Genoways, H. H., " Ireland, L. M. (2003). Museum administration: An introduction. Walnut Creek, Calif: AltaMira Press.
Berlatsky, N. (2013). When Men Experience Sexism. [online] The Atlantic. Available at: https://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/05/when-men-experience-sexism/276355/ [Accessed 8 Apr. 2018].
Kimmel, M. (2010). Misframing Men: The Politics of Contemporary Masculinities. Piscataway: Rutgers University Press.
