Sexism is deeply rooted
in the academic sciences, a 2012 study shows. I also argue it is even
apparent in the language we use. What can we do when it is becoming
ever more apparent just how ingrained sexism is in our society?
Summarised here:
The conclusion talks
about the way in which the sexism shown against women was non-gender
specific i.e. just as likely to emanate from women themselves; how it
was unintentional i.e. subconscious; and how it likely emerges from
“widespread cultural stereotypes”.
Great. Good. So, let's
just get on with challenging those stereotypes then. Which is,
basically, what feminists have been trying to do for years!
**
I put together this
little piece, to show how a dictionary definition of a man's state of
behaviour can be seen as positive, yet switching genders and applying
to women can lead to essentially the same definition becoming
inherently derogatory:
-
stud
2
(stʌd)
—
n
6.
slang
a
virile or sexually active man
promiscuous
(prəˈmɪskjʊəs)
—
adj
1. indulging in
casual and indiscriminate sexual relationships
Conclusion:
Promiscuous man = A virile stud.
-
slut
(slʌt)
—
n
2.
derogatory
an
immoral woman
immoral
(ɪˈmɒrəl)
—
adj
2. sexually
dissolute; profligate or promiscuous
Conclusion:
Promiscuous woman = An immoral slut.
No,
this isn't the rape-apologists' dictionary! These actual Collins
World English Dictionary definitions show just how the dice are
weighted against women. It really highlights the size of the task at
hand. Everday Sexism at its most blatantly absurd.
-
NOT NICE! Not nice at
all.
Face the facts, the
Patriarchy is alive and well. So let's destroy that toxic edifice,
slowly crawling out into wider society with its glacial malevolence,
before it claims more victims.
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