HOW TO PREVENT INTERNALIZED MISOGYNY

 

HOW TO PREVENT INTERNALISED MISOGYNY

Misogyny is the hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls. Internalized misogyny takes the form of sexist behaviors and attitudes enacted by women toward themselves or other women and girls. On a larger scale, internalized misogyny falls under the broad topic of internalized oppression, which "consists of oppressive practices that continue to make the rounds even when members of the oppressor group are not present".

Women who experience internalized misogyny may express it through minimizing the value of women, mistrusting women, and believing gender bias in favours of men. Women, after observing societal beliefs which demean the value and skills of women repeatedly, eventually internalize those misogynistic beliefs and apply them to themselves and other women. The implications of internalized misogyny include psychological disorders such as depression, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and less social support among women.

Internalized misogyny has potential to lead to body issues, lack of self-confidence, competition, and a sense of powerlessness. It is a major setback in resolving issues of misogyny as a whole. Ties to psychological distress such as anxious, depressive or somatic symptoms, have been identified as results of internalized misogyny. Possible effects can be depression and suicidal impulses.

Additionally, studies have found connections between as sexual objectification as a result of internalized misogyny and body shame, sexual objectification, and disordered eating. Internalized misogyny also plays a role in lowered academic goals and diminished job performance. On a larger scale, the presence of internalized misogyny in the world is believed to alienate those affected from each other and thus further promotes continued misogyny as a whole.

Society often tears down and attacks women, normalizing the casual hatred of powerful or successful women, especially those who don’t fit the mould for femininity. As we grow up, we are also taught to see each other as competition instead of peers. This breeds some ugly behaviour. 

Most of this can be attributed to the society we grew up in — we are immersed in sexism and gender stereotypes from the start. It takes unlearning what society has taught us about gender and sexuality to recognize our own internalized misogyny.

Through education and self-acceptance, many women are able to shed their internalized misogyny and learn to uplift fellow women. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there who continue hating women because of their own immaturity or self-esteem issues. If you find yourself constantly tearing down other women to feel better about yourself, it is time to grow up.

So many female celebrities get hate from other women for arbitrary reasons, and it all comes from internalized misogyny. It is time to stop this ugly behaviour of women tearing down other women and leave it behind in middle school.

 

Ways in which we can deal with internalized misogyny are:

1.     Changing your perspective - Instead of trying to scrutinise how other women look or are based on your own conditioning, try to analyse your perspective. Stop judging them. Start questioning your own prejudices.

2.     Listening to other women - When a woman shares her experience, listen. Acknowledge. Make sure that they're heard, and they'll do the same for you. Show solidarity with them.

3.     Keeping an open mind - Centuries of ingrained prejudices can't be erased overnight. But try! Try to seek reason. Try to keep an open mind.

4.     Trying to find a common ground - Instead of finding differences, if you focus on finding similarities, you'll realise how many experiences you have in common. Unite.

5.     Empathizing with other women - Be kind to women around you. Empathize with them. Let them know they're not alone in their fight for justice and acceptance.

Femininity is not inferior. Each person who identifies as feminine is a human being who expresses themselves uniquely and individually, with equally valid goals and dreams and aspirations. Having female friends is a great thing! Feminine influences are important, and the idea of strong, functional female friendships between real, 3-dimensional people needs more representation, in both the media and real life.