Psychology of Misogyny: Signs, Causes, and Impacts

Throughout history, different cultures have perpetuated pervasive issues of gender inequalities and discrimination in various forms. A global survey conducted in 2023 revealed that nearly one in 3 women have experienced Gender-based violence or discrimination in their lifetime. This alarming condition highlights the widespread problem across the globe which is misogyny. In most cases, a man unconsciously develops misogyny, a hatred toward women, caused by a trauma involving a female he experienced.

Misogyny is a deep-seated prejudice rooted in a hatred of women. Misogyny can take place in various forms from overt acts of violence to subtle Microaggressions. It involves punishing women for challenging male dominance which is often distinct from sexism. Sexism involves showing hatred and discriminating against women, whereas misogyny involves violent acts against women.

It does not belong to one particular culture or region but is a global epidemic that affects women across all regions. Media portrayals, the legal system, and social and cultural norms often reinforce the perception of misogynistic attitudes, frequently failing to provide adequate protection. Understanding and gaining insights about social issues like misogyny is crucial to promote welfare. So this article delves into the understanding of historical context misogyny and its signs, causes and impacts.  

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Signs of Misogyny

• Devaluating or dismissing their achievements. 
• Expecting women to maintain social harmony
• Making disparaging comments about their abilities
• Always blame women for any mistakes and conflict
• Involving in various kinds of violence acts against women
• Controlling their choices and behaviours in dressing, career, and social interactions
• Objectifying women which involves treating women as an object for gratification rather than a  human  
• Neglecting women’s ideas, opinions, and contributions in various settings such as personal life, professional life, etc
• Enforcing their gender roles only in traditional works like cooking, caregiving, and washing dishes, while ignoring their talents and interests apart from those roles. 

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Causes of Misogyny

1. cultural factors  

Still, in today’s era, some cultures have a strict traditional role of women as only doing household work. Also in many places, education is either restricted or limited to women which supports the notion women are less capable of getting an education and intellectual knowledge. These cultural factors and educational disparity among women lead to societal inequalities and misogyny. 

2. Family structure  

Sometimes individuals may learn misogynist attitudes from their family structure and practices. From a young age, parents start to show gender inequalities and fix certain gender roles. They want their male child to be assertive and independent whereas they want their female child as obedient and caring. This kind of family dynamic which favors men over women often causes gender inequalities. 

3. Socialization 

Peer influences play a role in misogyny, especially during adolescence. People sometimes adopt certain characteristics of their friends, peers, and so on to get attached to them. Here boys may face pressure to conform to the traditional notion of masculinity whereas girls may get socialized where they prioritize appearance and relationships over personal achievement. 

4. Media

The way how women are portrayed in media can also lead to harmful stereotypes. Women are often represented in the role of caretakers whereas men are represented as leaders and decision-makers.  This kind of portrayal of women as inferior objects in social media can reinforce misogyny. 

5. Historical Factor

In the olden days, Many regions had some kind of traditional hierarchy where men were in positions of power whereas women were in positions with subordinate roles. These traditions are rooted in past days when it was believed that power was essential for survival which led to a patriarchal society that favoured men. These kinds of Historical inequalities, ideologies, beliefs and gender roles promote gender hierarchy which normalizes misogyny. 

7. Economic Factors

The financial dependency of women on men leads to the development of misogynistic attitudes among men. In many cultures, there is a great difference in job roles between men and women. Men have higher access to high-paying jobs, ownerships, higher positions and resources. This economic disparity between them causes misogyny.

Historical Evidence of Misogyny

During the ancient Greek period, females respected titles like the goddess of wisdom  “Athena” and so on. These provide evidence that in that period women gained power and respect. So here the question arises what happens in between periods? What made a misogyny?  

Misogyny didn’t arise from a single event, it developed due to various cultural and religious drifts which lead to today’s gender inequalities. Various Classical Greek literature shows it is undoubtedly filled with misogynistic views and ideology. For example; Plato’s works such as Timaeus and Laws presented women as inferior to men.  Despite, philosophers’ views, certain elements of social structures like viewing marriage as a partnership, and the right to vote and own property for women show equality in those periods. 

How to Cope with Misogynist Behaviour

To fight against misogyny, Clinical social worker Karen Robinson suggests to getting involved actively. This includes, 

• Advocating for women persistently 
• Celebrating the achievements of women  
• Supporting and encouraging women’s efforts  
• Improve educational plans and availability for women 
• Participate in strikes and marches against these issues  
• Contacting state representatives about misogynist laws
• Creating a space for women to express their talents and interests 

Its impact on professional settings:

1. Lack of professional advancements  
2. Low wages 
3. Unequal pay 
4. Lack of promotion 
5. Pervasive harassment  
6. Creating obstacles for women. 

Impact of Misogyny

1. Due to misogyny, there is a great disparity in the education of women.  
2. Because of this many women are facing physical, emotional, sexual and instrumental violence. 
3. Women may face mental distress like anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem due to misogynist attitudes and behaviours 
4. This misogyny perpetuated limited representation of women in leadership, politics, decision making and other influential roles. 
5. Gender-based discrimination restricted to high-paying jobs, and high positions and hindering career advancement made women financially dependent on men.

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In the past, gender discrimination and inequalities against women have been pervasive issues that lead to misogyny. misogyny is an unconscious hatred of men towards women who have experienced negative female roles in past. This has taken place in various forms from violent acts against women to subtle micro-aggression. It is not only caused by a specific event but cultural,  societal and religious drifts across nations cause misogyny. It is important to understand and gain insight into this societal issue to promote societal welfare and harmony. 

The signs of misogyny include objectifying women as pleasurable objects, neglecting their opinions, ideas and decisions, enforcing them with traditional gender roles, controlling their choices and behaviours, involving in physical, emotional, sexual, and instrumental violence against women, making sarcastic comments about their abilities, dismissing their achievements, being double standard between men and women, always blames them for any conflicts or mistake, and expect them to maintain social harmony.

Misogyny is not started due to a single event there are many factors influencing it which include cultural factors like rigid traditional gender roles, beliefs and the patriarchy system, family structure like raising their child with distinct gender roles like the male child as independent whereas the female child is obedient, peer influence, media portrayals, education and economic restrictions for women.

 Karen Robinson has revealed certain things to combat misogyny, including advocating for other women, celebrating women’s achievements, supporting and encouraging their efforts, contacting state representatives for laws, marches and strikes against issues, and improving e educational plans for women. Misogyny has various impacts on women which include mental distress, Gender biased discrimination, limited representation, disparity in education, and financial dependence. It is important to educate about misogyny so let’s stand up, speak out about the challenges we are facing and push laws of gender equality. 

FAQs:

1. How a person can recognize misogyny in their daily life? 

It can take place in subtle forms such as sexist jokes, unequal treatment, rejecting opinions in personal and professional life to severe forms such as physical violence, sexual harassment and emotional abuse. 

2. What are the effects of misogyny? 

It causes the women to experience mental distress, limited representation, violent acts, and educational and economic disparity. 

3. How to help the survivors of misogyny? 

Listen to them about their experience, help them to access resources, advocate for their rights,  counselling and seek professional help.