Causes Of Benevolent Sexism
Mechanisms and Outcomes of Benevolent Sexism
Recent research has shown that benevolent sexism is an important contributor to gender inequality and women’s continued endorsement of sexism against their gender (Hammond et al., 2014). The mechanism through which benevolent sexism acts is women’s adoption and endorsement of sexist acts, which in turn inhibits their access to external goals and societal power. Women more than men have been shown to exhibit a greater endorsement for benevolent sexism, while generally rejecting hostile sexism (Fiske & Glick, 2001). When put into the context of a close romantic relationship, sexist acts such as a man always paying for dates, or holding open doors for a woman are often classified as chivalry instead
of sexism. While these actions are not necessarily ill intended, the underpinnings of benevolent sexism often lie in implicit stereotyping of male dominance, with women viewed as dependents, and often have more damaging consequences in the long-term (Fiske & Glick, 1996). One example of this was found in a study showing that implicit use of gender role ideologies (e.g. praising a woman for being nurturing, a man carrying grocery bags instead of a woman) in close relationships maintain gender inequality through increasing women’s endorsement of sexist attitudes and their dependence on relationships for happiness and satisfaction (Hammond et al., 2014). Benevolent sexism positively reinforces traditional, relationship-focused gender roles (e.g. housewives are important and deserve male protection). This acts in such a way that women become less focused on external, relationship-independent goals (e.g. education, having a career, government, policies, etc.), and therefore masculine power remains dominant (Fiske & Glick, 1996).
Recent research has shown that benevolent sexism is an important contributor to gender inequality and women’s continued endorsement of sexism against their gender (Hammond et al., 2014). The mechanism through which benevolent sexism acts is women’s adoption and endorsement of sexist acts, which in turn inhibits their access to external goals and societal power. Women more than men have been shown to exhibit a greater endorsement for benevolent sexism, while generally rejecting hostile sexism (Fiske & Glick, 2001). When put into the context of a close romantic relationship, sexist acts such as a man always paying for dates, or holding open doors for a woman are often classified as chivalry instead
of sexism. While these actions are not necessarily ill intended, the underpinnings of benevolent sexism often lie in implicit stereotyping of male dominance, with women viewed as dependents, and often have more damaging consequences in the long-term (Fiske & Glick, 1996). One example of this was found in a study showing that implicit use of gender role ideologies (e.g. praising a woman for being nurturing, a man carrying grocery bags instead of a woman) in close relationships maintain gender inequality through increasing women’s endorsement of sexist attitudes and their dependence on relationships for happiness and satisfaction (Hammond et al., 2014). Benevolent sexism positively reinforces traditional, relationship-focused gender roles (e.g. housewives are important and deserve male protection). This acts in such a way that women become less focused on external, relationship-independent goals (e.g. education, having a career, government, policies, etc.), and therefore masculine power remains dominant (Fiske & Glick, 1996).