Can women be sexist?

Question

I've read in a number of places over the years that women cannot be sexist because sexism requires power, not just prejudice.

Do you believe this to be true? I don't, but I think it's an interesting question worthy of discussion.

What is the difference between sexism and "sexual prejudice", if you will? If the issue is the power dynamic, then if a woman believes men to be inferior in some way, doesn't that also imply a power dynamic? What if the woman is in a position of power over men, like an employer?

I don't want to downplay sexism against women, but I do think it's possible for it to happen the other way. What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

Yep...

In fact, sexism toward men is more acceptable and more prevalent than sexism toward women in our society.

Answer 2

Absolutely.   Just like black people can be racist - women can be sexist.  But, don't confuse the sexist female with the man hater.  Sexist females think they are better than men for whatever reason.  Man haters have been abused, hurt, tormented, and have been treated poorly by sexist men.

Answer 3

well considering the fact that nowdays laws provide women with a lot more protection and power than they did before then i would say that they are more sexist, think about it, a woman can make a false allegation of rape and ruin a man even in absece of strong evidence, a woman can con a man into paying child support for a child that is not his and he will be required to pay even after he finds out the kid is not his, due to the chivalry syndrome(check your criminal justice text book) in law enforcement women are often held to a different standard (a man that yells at his wife is considered abusive,a woman that cuts off her husband's p***s is considered a hero)....moreover women are much more likely to gain from diivorces than men even if they cheat or have affairs, they are more likely to get custody and as a result more likely to get the house as well as alimony and child support when you take all that into consideration and add the topic of sexual preference you can see for yourself that on an average they are more sexist than men.....think about this: girls can walk around with a T shirt that says "boys are stupid throw rocks at them" imagine what would happen to a man who wore a t shirt that said the same thing about women.......i think you can get  the picture.

Answer 4

Yes. Just look around at some of these posts.

Answer 5

Women can be just as sexist as men.  The problem is that society accepts female sexism as it would a baby's smile.  In reality, it's disgusting and they should be punished for it as any man would be.

Answer 6

Not only can they but some are. Don't let any one fool you here.

Answer 7

Sexism doesn't require power. It can include attitudes and behaviour. Also, many women are in positions of power, so that argument wouldn't hold up anyway.

Answer 8

Most sexism is indeed sexism aimed against men, so yes, women can be very sexist.

Answer 9

I'm a manager at a retail store and my subordinates are most men, sometimes they tend to ignore me and push me back, I have to let them know that whatever I need them to do needs get done or I have to do paper, it is hard but I take it as a challenge, my alternative outlet is being active like working out so that I can get rid of stress at work.  But still I'm not a sexist, this is reality....come on lets face it, men and women are opposite creatures that attracts each other...though yeah there is conflict of power, that's life...

Answer 10

Of course women can be sexist...& yes it does require both power and prejudice.  However, power is often a matter of perception so a woman is perceived as powerful and influential OR who sees herself as powerful and influential can very well practice strong sexism toward men - treating men in general as though they are less than adequate.  Yes, it happens and it more prevalent than most of us like to admit.  .

Answer 11

tons of women are sexist. Almost as much as men.

Answer 12

They are only sexist when in a herd, get them on their own and they will be submissive.

Answer 13

Women can definitely be sexist. The worst kind that I have met believe that women should not do things (jobs, sports, coaching) that have been allocated to men in past centuries.

I think it is much rarer for a women in a position of "power"  to believe that men are inferior to women and then to act on that belief. The reason I think that it is rare is that the rest of the world is a step away from that one women and the rest of the world has given men the power to be and behave in  a powerful and not submissive way.                     BUT!

Oh! This is a tough question really as I think of the dynamics of culture that play the parts of who's in power and in what instances.

I was thinking of a man I know that needed to put picture collages together for his children. The women who had organized this picture collage get together thought that this man couldn't possibly do a good job putting the collage together--he was the only man there. They didn't take away his projects but made many comments about how a man could mess it up!

I also think that when men take the culural roles allocated to women in the past such as -taking care of their own children- people become suspicious of that man as though he is either harmful or lazy. I know of two men who have taken the child rearing role and it has worked out for their families pretty well but I can see/hear the sexist remarks of the older generation peoples fear that the men can not be trusted to raise their own children.

Yeah, there is sexual prejudice anytime anyone steps out of the confines of our cultural box.

Answer 14

Yeah, I read the same thing that blacks can not be racist. In 1st  grade we used to say, "I'm rubber and you're glue, whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you." Sorry, no free ride. If you want to hold people accountable for a standard of behavior then you have to observe it yourself. The power thing is always relative. Bad manners and inequality are not the sole domain of white males.

Answer 15

sexism and racism are not specific to a group altho they may have started that way historically.  a woman can be sexist to another woman or to a man.  a man can be sexist to another man or to a woman. same with race.

historically, the sexism was against women. we still get the brunt of it. we still earn less, get promoted less, have less represenation in position of power.....etc, etc...

in regard to the ohter post-

-we make accusations of rape & are not believed (5% conviction in UK, 13% conviction rate of rape accusations in US)

-we are not always paid child support

-men, when they seek it, can get custody even w/ a history of DV and child abuse

-women often have difficulties in remarriage and labor market after a divorce and have fewer financial resources

and we're still dealing with misogynists myths like the above that paint us as vindictive liars who have 'privileges' in society

Answer 16

This is great, everyone agrees. Group Hug.

Answer 17

Of course. The question is: is this sexism part of the culture and considered normal or a 'bit of fun'? That kind of approach was part of male culture (and still is to some extent). Pandora's box is open now though, and women don't plan on getting back in anytime soon.

Answer 18

It was probably a sexist woman who made that statement saying they couldn't be sexist.