Menstuff® has compiled the following information on Sexism.
Coined in 1968 by Vanauken in a paper called "Freedom for Movement
Girls - Now", it was an illustration of a concept, central to women's
lives, which was wordless for many years.
Those Claiming Sexism can only be
Perpetrated Against Women
That Kind of Sexism is Sexist
10 Concrete Ways to End Sexism as
Men
The West Wing on Sexism
UNICEF & Gender
Equality
Related Issues: A Real
Man, Manliness,
If Women Ran the
World, Sex
Roles
Books: Sexism,
Sex
Roles
Those Claiming Sexism can only be
Perpetrated Against Women
Linda Phelps, 1975: A social relationship in which males have authority over females.
Susan Sands, 1970: Is an unconscious philosophy based on the premise that men must have first choice in everything.
Dale Spender, 1982: Is no bias which can be eliminated but (is) the foundation stone of learning and education in our male controlled society.
Liz Stanley and Sue Wise, 1983: Is the name of the problem addressed by feminism.
Sonia Johnson, 1984: The polite term for the war on women. It is the model for racism, classism, ageism.
Sara Delamont, 1980: Is stereotyping people by sex; just as racism is stereotyping people by race.
Nelle Morton: A way of ordering life by gender "that robs people of their humanness and aborts the Spirit moving in the communities of which we are a part."
Angela Davis, 1982: Can never be seen in isolation. It has to
be placed in the context of its interconnections with racism, and
especially with class exploitation. (Ed. Homophobia might be a good
one to add.)
10 Concrete Ways to End Sexism as Men
#1. Recognize that men's and women's views of each other and of themselves have been shaped by sexist conditioning in our society.
#2. Understand that these sexist views will persist and cloud both sexes' thinking about both men and women.
#3. Always remember the true nature of ALL women and ALL men: strong, loving, intelligent, zestful, cooperative, assertive, confident and tender. If you can't see everyone that way then it is due to the sexist conditioning (and other hurts) placed upon you. If you had never received this conditioning, then you could easily see everyone's inherent nature all the time. If any person never received any type of conditioning, then they would always act on these inherent qualities all the time.
#4. Educate yourself on the ways that women have been oppressed. Ask the women in your life what the sexism is like in their life. It is important for women to get to talk about it with you and important for you to hear the hardships of being a woman in this society.
#5. Share the work that has traditionally been considered "women's work". This is largely unpaid work and is not considered as important as "men's work".
#6. Challenge the notion to both men and women that boys are by nature aggressive and violent. Stand firm that it is only hard conditioning that makes anyone act this way. Stand firm that boys are just like girls with the whole range of emotions, compassion, and need for tenderness.
#7. Eliminate homophobia (the fear of being close to someone of the same gender as oneself) with the men in your life. Homophobia perpetuates confusion that closeness and sex are the same thing (they are not the same). It prevents men from having close relationships with each other. Taking turns listening to each other about the hardships we've had being men is a great step in starting closer friendships. Go meet lots of men!
#8. Encourage men (including yourself) to feel and express all natural feelings. Men's largest conditioning comes from being forced to act like we have no feelings (e.g. "Big boys don't cry", "You're acting like a girl/sissy"). This conditioning is what eventually makes men take on all of the inhuman roles we are expected to play in society.
#9. Support women's leadership. One crucial area to eliminating sexism is challenging the notion that men are natural leaders and women are natural followers. This can be confusing for men. But considering all the sexist stereotypes we've been taught about women, this is understandable. That is why remembering women's inherent nature (see #3) and taking turns listening with other men about how we've been conditioned is so important in moving forward and supporting women's leadership.
#10. Model non-sexist behavior everywhere. Tell and show men and women that eliminating sexism is a primary focus in your life. The presence of sexism in society is hurtful to everyone, not just women. It's elimination will enhance every human being's life.
Source: Men Against Racism & Sexism, mars@ccsi.com or 512.326.9686
The dogma of women's complete historical subjection to men must be rated as one of the most fantastic myths ever created by the human mind. - Mary Ritter Beard
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