Get Inspired, Be Empowered › Forums › Sexism & Patriarchy › Is Sexism Among Teenagers a Real Thing? › Reply To: Is Sexism Among Teenagers a Real Thing?
Sexism is the discrimination based on one’s gender, mainly to women.
To answer the question that sexism among teenagers exists and is a real thing, Yes. It does exist.
In school, many are not allowed to talk to boys because they feel that they might distract the boys. The uniforms have to cross a certain length otherwise they’re not allowed in school. It’s usually the boys considered for higher positions rather than the girls. They are often considered to be stronger than the girls. School in general has a lot of regulations but these aren’t valid or proper rules one needs.
At home, the girl needs to do the housework but the boys aren’t considered for this. By assigning gender roles to basic tasks, we are further pushing a harmful stereotype.
This behavior is normalized and students act sexist to their peers. Many judge girls for having friends of the opposite gender, judge them for having interest in sports, judge them for their interests, make remarks about their body, what they wear, who they speak to etc.
Men are also victim to this. When someone isn’t their idea of what a man is, they often make comments about their sexuality, make fun of them for wearing makeup or acting any other way which isn’t the usual “masculine” way. They are also called girls. Is it bad to be a woman or be feminine? When you make “jokes” like these you’re further pushing the stereotype that girls are weak and men are superior and anyone who isn’t your idea of man is a bad or weak person.
When you do not correct your friends on this, you are enabling them. Correct them before they can do anything more. Only then can we wish for a better society.