A recent study by Clever Girl found that "benevolent sexism" (BS) can hurt women in the short and long term. Benevolent sexism is when someone (usually a man) says something that seems supportive and upbeat but is based on traditional gender stereotypes. Unlike hostile sexism or other overt forms of discrimination, it is unique in that it is often used with intentionally positive intentions and is usually interpreted as such by the recipient. For example, Carla and Alex have been anticipating their manager's annual performance reviews. While Carla's review praises her for being a likeable team player that people enjoy working with, Alex's review highlights his effectiveness as a team leader and his tough negotiating skills. Although both of these reviews are favourable, Carla places more emphasis on likeability and Alex's on toughness and leadership. While it may appear to be normal, this reinforces stereotypical gender roles that limit women to being friendly and nice. As a result, sexism is disguised under the dualities of gender binaries.
The Behavioral Basis of Positive Sexism
For women, benevolent sexism can be perplexing because it may appear supportive while also endorsing and celebrating traditional gender roles, responsibilities, and skills. Benevolent sexism maintains gender inequality by promoting qualities like neatness or nurturing that are typically viewed as inferior in women. By highlighting characteristics that have less social capital and power, benevolent sexism enables men to maintain traditional gender norms while seeming supportive of women. Many women who experience benevolent sexism end up in challenging circumstances. Conversely, women who reject such an experience are seen as cold or resentful. As a result, benign sexism often remains unacknowledged or unchallenged.
Understanding Its Roots and Impact on Society
The study's methodology was unique in that the authors employed cardiovascular indicators of challenged or threatened psychological states rather than anecdotal accounts or questionnaires, and women completed a verbal reasoning task after receiving feedback. Many women who get BS support end up in challenging circumstances. Offenders are often seen favourably and are unlikely to be labelled as sexist due to the fake positive tone of BS. Conversely, women who reject the assistance of benevolent sexism are seen as cold or resentful. This is why sexism often goes unnoticed or unchallenged. After receiving feedback from benevolent sexism, women finished a verbal reasoning task. Authors employed cardiovascular indicators of challenged or threatened psychological states rather than questionnaires or anecdotal accounts. It was therefore possible to access a person's psychological state, whether conscious or unconscious, while they were engaged in an active task.
Similar to hostile sexism, the researchers found that BS negatively affects women's success and well-being. For example, when the assessor showed negative attitudes toward women, women performed worse on a problem-solving test, and their poor performance caused them to doubt their abilities. The negative consequences of BS can persist into subsequent situations, extending the effects of a single sexist encounter into new contexts and tasks.
According to the findings mentioned in Forbes even when BS feedback is given with the best of intentions, women may still feel that they are not capable of meeting the demands of the field. Sian Beilock, president of Barnard College, has written about how women can respond to bullshit to resist giving in to it. Women who received BS feedback later felt less skilled than those who did not. A young woman who scores 80% on a math test may decide she is not cut out for a career in STEM and take a more challenging course as a result of these feelings.
Women "choose" careers or occupations that pay less than those chosen by men, according to a popular theory explaining the gender pay gap. Sociologists have shown that women are often excluded from high-paying professions and confined to lower-paying ones; these professions are also less prestigious and pay less than those dominated by men. Furthermore, as long as universal child care is not implemented, many women will "choose" lower-paying jobs that give them the flexibility they need to care for their children. But this study clarifies another facet of women's alleged "choices," which may have far-reaching effects on the discussion of gender inequality. Throughout their lives, women encounter benevolent sexism, which is probably a major factor in why they are overrepresented in the lowest-paying occupations like law and medicine and underrepresented in high-paying STEM fields.
An In-Depth Look at Its Psychological Foundations and Consequences
There are many other issues involved in addition to the obvious one, which is that any form of sexism toward women is unacceptable. We are all too aware, first of all, that the same men who push women to conform to the norms will also be the first to shame and condemn them for doing so. Men who believe that the "right kind of woman" can succeed in our patriarchal system if they find a high-status partner will call women hypergamous gold diggers if they come dangerously close to attaining the same level of wealth, status, or power as men.
If these men are to be protected and taken care of, women have to play by the rules and never win. For women, it's a zero-sum game. Second, men who display benevolent sexism will instantly switch to hostile sexism if the "right kind of woman" turns out to be the wrong kind. If a submissive wife recognizes her oppression and demands equality with her husband, or if a female employee decides she will no longer put up with a coworker's sexual advances in exchange for his "protection" at work, the benevolent façade will be lifted and hostile sexism will be exposed. Since "benevolent sexism" has nothing to do with being kind, gentle, or soft, the term is misleading. It is risky and potentially lethal.
The only requirement is that women play with the appropriate men while adhering to the appropriate regulations. As we discover that benevolent and hostile sexism are two sides of the same coin, is it still appropriate to call it that? Any act of sexism that subverts, controls, or oppresses women does not seem to qualify for that label, despite its apparent appearance.