Sexism is a form of discrimination that is based on a person’s gender. It is often used to promote unequal treatment of individuals based on the notion that one gender is superior to the other. Typically, sexism is directed towards women, who are often seen as weaker, less intelligent, and less capable than men. This negative attitude towards women can take many forms, including prejudice, stereotypes, harassment, and violence.
Sexism is not just a women’s issue, it affects everyone, regardless of gender. This is because it creates an unfair and unequal society that stifles the potential of both women and men. Women who experience sexism are often denied the same opportunities and privileges as men, which can limit their personal growth and career advancement. On the other hand, men who experience sexism may feel pressure to conform to societal expectations and to hide their emotions, leading to a distorted sense of masculinity.
Sexism is real and it exists in New Zealand in many ways.
Sexism in New Zealand takes many forms, including:
- Prejudice: Women are often treated unfairly based on gender-based prejudices, such as being seen as less competent or capable than men.
- Pay Gap: Despite being illegal, the pay gap between men and women still exists in New Zealand, with women often earning less than men for the same work. Sexual
- Harassment: Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination that affects many women in New Zealand. This can include unwanted sexual advances, physical touching, and sexual comments or jokes.
- Stereotyping: Women are often subjected to gender-based stereotypes that perpetuate the notion that women are weaker, less intelligent, or less capable than men.
- Domestic Violence: New Zealand has high rates of domestic violence, with women and children being the primary victims.
- Representation: Women are underrepresented in many areas of society, including politics, business, and the media. This lack of representation can limit women’s ability to influence decision-making and shape the direction of society.
- Education: Despite advances in equality, girls still face challenges in education, such as being encouraged to pursue “traditional” female-dominated careers, and facing discrimination and bullying based on gender.
To stop sexism, we must first raise awareness about its harmful effects and encourage open dialogue about the issue. This will help to challenge the stereotypes and prejudices that perpetuate sexist attitudes and behaviours. We must also work to educate and engage young people, who are the next generation of leaders, in this conversation.
We must also work to empower women and girls by providing them with access to education and job opportunities. By empowering women, we can help to reduce the gender gap and create a more equal and inclusive society. Additionally, we must support and encourage women who have been the victims of sexist behaviour, by providing them with the resources and support they need to heal and move forward.
Another key factor in stopping sexism is to challenge harmful media representations of women and girls. The media often perpetuates harmful stereotypes, such as women being inferior or hypersexualized. By challenging these representations, we can help to reduce the negative impact they have on people’s perceptions of women and girls.
We can also work to encourage men to be active allies in the fight against sexism. By speaking out against sexism and promoting gender equality, men can help to shift societal attitudes and norms towards a more inclusive and respectful attitude towards women.
Finally, we must encourage open and respectful dialogue about gender and sexism. This includes creating spaces where people feel comfortable sharing their experiences, as well as actively listening and learning from others. By working together, we can create a society that is inclusive, respectful, and equal for all.
Sexism is a harmful and pervasive issue that affects everyone. To stop it, we must work together to raise awareness, empower women and girls, challenge harmful media representations, encourage men to be allies, and engage in open and respectful dialogue. By doing so, we can create a more equal and inclusive society for everyone.
Critical thinking questions:
- How do you feel about the unequal treatment of girls and women in society?
- How do you think sexism affects women’s self-esteem and confidence?
- How do you think sexist stereotypes impact our relationships with each other?
Practical thinking questions:
- Have you noticed any instances of sexism in your school or community?
- How can we work towards creating a more equal and respectful environment for everyone, regardless of gender?
- What are some common misconceptions about women and girls that you have noticed?
- What kind of role models do you have for women in your life? List three and explain why they are role models to you.
