Sexism Makes Women Sick

3898 Words16 Pages
Sexism makes women sick. Sexism by definition is the unfair, unequal treatment of men or women as a result of their sex. Sexist behaviour can be shown in many ways, through prejudice in the work place, controlling and abusive relationships or a belief that one sex is superior to another. Sometimes it can be an attitude of general ignorance from an individual resulting in preconceived gender behavioural traits rather than an objective knowledge of the person. Whilst any gender can be subjected to sexist behaviour, it is most commonly women who tend to be on the receiving end of it`. Functionalist and right wing sociologists might argue that sexism hardly exists in society today. Feminists would argue against this. Feminists have fought against the injustices endured by women, they do not believe in male supremacy. The fundamental principles that have existed in a western patriarchal society made women second-class citizens in comparison to men. Liberal feminists believe in the principles of all people being equal and deserving equal rights and opportunities. Feminists want to live in a fairer more egalitarian society. Whilst feminism has caused real change in society over the years and has opened the door to far more opportunity for women than ever before, life for women is still far from equal. This essay will cover gender socialisation, conjugal roles, and gender in the labour market. It will also discuss gender and education and how social stress from sexism can lead to ill health. “Once a baby has been named as male or female, and thus declared a member of the local community of practice of masculinity or femininity, the process of induction into the norms of that community are set in motion.” (C. Paechter. 2007 p42) In society, men and women have commonly gravitated toward specific roles. Some sociologists believe that society creates these gender

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