Sexism is a form of discrimination based on gender, in which one sex is seen as superior to the other, either intentionally or unintentionally It is a tendency within a particular society to place a greater value on one gender than the other, and is generally grounded in traditional gender roles. These gender roles often dictate that men are expected to take leadership roles while women are expected to be caregivers and mothers. It is a form of oppression, in which power and privilege are given to one gender over the other, and can often be found at work, in the home, and in education.
Examples of sexism in today's society are plentiful. One example is the gender pay gap, where women are often paid less than men for the same work. This is caused by a variety of factors, such as women being pigeonholed into certain jobs and women often needing to take time off to care for children. Additionally, in many sports, men are seen to be the default players, and women are often overlooked in favor of male athletes. This, combined with the fact that many women's sports leagues are not given the same level of funding or media coverage as men's leagues, results in men's sports being seen as more important and valuable.
A second example of sexism today is the unequal representation of women in politics. Despite women making up more than half of the population, they still make up less than a quarter of all representatives in politics, with that percentage being even lower in state and local governments. Women are also often barred from certain political positions due to their gender, and are often not given the same level of respect or authority as their male counterparts.
Third, sexism in the workplace can often be seen in everyday interactions and in the way people are treated. Women are often seen as being less competent than men, and women's contributions in the workplace are often overlooked or ignored. Additionally, women are often expected to take on a greater share of the ‘workload’, such as filing, organizing, and cleaning.
Fourth, the way in which women are depicted and portrayed in the media can be seen as another manifestation of sexism. Women are often portrayed as objects of male desire, rather than real people with agency, and their roles within the story are often limited to being a love interest or a damsel in distress. Additionally, women are often given the ‘fun’ roles while the more serious roles are reserved for men.
Finally, sexism can also be found in the education system. Women are often seen as not being capable or smart enough to pursue certain subject matters or interests, and girls are often steered away from math and science, and towards more traditional, ‘feminine’ subjects such as English and Home Economics. Additionally, women are often not given the same level of support or opportunities for advancement as men, and are often judged more harshly than their male counterparts.
In conclusion, sexism is still pervasive in today’s society, and is manifested in a variety of ways. Examples range from the gender pay gap, unequal representation in politics, unequal treatment in the workplace, portrayals of women in the media, and unequal opportunities within the educational system. Despite increasing awareness and efforts to combat it, sexism still exists, and must be actively addressed and challenged in order to eliminate it.