Societal Sexism

Paper Summary:

This paper argues that, even in everyday conversational life, women internalize stereotypes about female achievement. Rather than speak from positions of power, women often use their position as speakers to deflate their own sense of credibility, rather than to enhance it. The paper suggests that women cannot simply ?blame men? for the problems they encounter in society. The problem of inequities between the sexes is a social and cultural, as well as a political concern. Women internalize the stereotypes around them, which they are taught from birth by parents and society, and use these stereotypes against themselves. The paper argues that societal perceptions of female competency must alter. However, women must also, on an individual basis, attempt to make the necessary changes.

From the Paper:

"Why do women engage in such self-abasing behavior, even in humorous dialogue? Why are women so apt to internalize poor societal notions of female competency? Although the answer to this question is complex, what is clear is that this phenomenon begins quite early on in women's lives. In 1990, a study conducted by the American Association of University Women entitled Shortchanging Girls, Shortchanging America became famous because of a book by journalist Peggy Orenstein, called Schoolgirls. (xxiii) Schoolgirls shows how young women, whose academic performance often exceeds their male counterparts well into high school, become affected by societal perceptions of female incompetence."

More papers on Societal Sexism:

• Essay # 66741 : "Sexism in Advertising"
• Essay # 4740 : "Societal Injustices"
• Analytical Essay # 27708 : "Just Like a Woman?"

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