Sexism

PUBLISHED October [UPDATED: DECEMBER], 2024

What is it?

‘SEXISM’

Discrimination based on one’s sex; an ideology that justifies and supports male dominant social relations

MISOGYNY - against women

MISANDRY - against men


‘MISOGYNY’

Systems and environments which control / punish women who challenge, and thus enforces, male dominance


‘PATRIARCHY’

A social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property. 

Some patriarchal societies are also patrilineal, meaning that property and title are inherited by the male lineage.

Basic Terminology

‘SEX’

Biological fact of being “male”, “female”, or “intersex”


GENDER

Cultural idea of being “masculine”, “feminine”, both or neither (to varying degrees) 

GENDER IDENTITY

Personal experience of one’s gender (“woman”, “man”, “agender”, “androgynous”, “genderqueer”, …)

Gender Identity & Expression Map

SEXUALITY

Content of one's desires, experiences, and orientation

SEXUAL IDENTITY’

self-ascribed label of sexuality

Comparison Chart: Theories of Sex, Gender, & Sexuality

Gender & Violence