Concept of Sexism in the Twenty-First Century - Article Example

Sexism is not a new concept in this twenty-first century, yet there are very many people across boarders who still deny its existence. It is highly noted that the most affected gender or generation in today’s society are women. In definition, sexism refers to that form or type of discrimination based on gender; for instance, discrimination against women. In most cases, women have fallen victim to this kind of discrimination in almost every state where women are struggling for job opportunities, leadership position among others, yet they cannot secure any chance (Teay, 1999, p. 57).

The most recent form of sexism according to most bloggers and views from the public is the case of the presidential results of the United States of America. Clinton being a woman and a presidential aspirant lose in the presidential race despite all the experiences she possesses on matters of the government and economic affairs. Notably, sexism has affected most women and has caused them great pain. On the contrary, though not so rampant, it is also noted that men undergo this circumstance of sexism, where some cases even lead to their deaths. Being a critical issue in running the equality agenda of all genders in any state, laws were enacted to counter such issues of sexism on both sexes.

Hence, this paper will be structured as follows. The first part will discuss the sexist stereotypes about men and women, the devaluation of women as full persons, and the double standards for men and females. The second part will concentrate in discussing the prevailing laws on sexism and as well present the views of Teay and Estrich on the respective laws. The paper will reveal whether they were in defense for the law or they suggested any further recommendation. The paper will also relate their argument to the issue of sexism.

Sexist stereotypes about men and women

The sexist stereotypes have come up with numerous of headlines across the boundaries. First, there is a headline on the findings made by the Israeli state that men were categorically not from the planet Mars and women not from the planet Venus. Then there existed a notion that the earth-shattering backlash from academics in the state of Norway, revealed that men were better assembling toy rollers more than women. Notably, men are considered better at navigating more than women navigate. In a study conducted by a scientist on eighteen males and females where they were asked to find their way via a virtual maze as they complete various assignments along their way revealed that men were able to solve fifty problems more than women were. On the contrary, women are considered more caring. Men lack powers of empathy in dealing with relationships. Men do not care, mainly, and turn deaf when their partners require them to listen to their problems. They only reveal a strong connection to what they feel when they are themselves the victims. Notably, unlike men, women can multitask on some activities. A study conducted on fifty men and fifty women to perform three task for eight minutes, women emerged as winners as they were able to accomplish the greater percentage than men were. Moreover, women can talk, talk, and talk. Previous studies indicate that a woman speaks an average of twenty thousand words a day, which translates to double that of an average man. Besides that, they talk faster, devote several brains cells to conversing, and speak younger.

The devaluation of women as full persons

The devaluation of women in this juncture comes in the aspect where women are viewed as having low values more than men have. Mostly, in any working set up, women are considered of less value, and as such, they can deliver up to the company’s expectations, and that is why in most scenarios they are not allowed to lead larger organizations. Notably, in most states, women are considered as housewives, and that is their place. If either of them tries to come up and challenge a man in any contest, then it will no longer be an entertainment platform but a case of punishment, in which the woman will be punished ruthlessly without mercy. Moreover, women have also being devalued in the political arena. For instance, it will so difficult for a woman to be elected to any political post, or even if she was elected, then that will be the beginning of her strangles and pain in leadership. Most of them in this situation end up giving up in their aspirations.

The double standards for men and women

While equality is a big issue in the case of gender, several double standards between a man and a woman are difficult to eliminate. First, men feel more privileged if they make the first move. In most instances, for instance, in a marriage proposal, men like to make the first step. If a lady makes the first move then that will be considered as not right, and as such, the respective woman may face criticism. Second, unlike men women are considered as clean and very organized. It is highly noted that women find their time for cleaning, cooking, and taking care of their households. However, people also overlook that women too have other responsibilities to keep up with such as work, family among others. Third, with the standards of the society, it acceptable for any female to have many male friends than it is perceived for men to have many female friends. It is normally to challenging to just the kind of relationship that exists between a man and a female when a man has so many girlfriends.

However, for some undistinguished reasons, men tend to remain silent on the fact that a woman can often have several friendships with males. Finally, the aspect of domestic gender violence has been a major debatable issue in our society. Today’s events, there are many instances of legal cases that have led to sentencing in courts concerning men who just raised their hands on women. However, in an eye’s blink, it does not appear too much of an issue whenever the roles are reversed, and that is not right.

Rape case and Estrich’s view on the law

In today’s society, rape is viewed as a very serious offense, and it is a crime charged in a court of law. Under criminal law, rape is a sexual intercourse conducted by a man or a woman against a woman or a man respectively who is not her husband or his wife through force or threat and against his or her will (Estrich, 1998, p. 159). However, today, in many states, the judiciary has redefined as well as broadening the statutory law of rape to incorporate both the aspect of marriage, force, as well as gender. In other words, the crucial aspect here is the victim’s lack of knowledge or consent. In this scenario, the victim’s lack of approval entails the ability of the victim to deny and say no to the sexual intercourse in the effect of alcohol or drug (Estrich, 1998, p. 159). Notably, rape cases occur mostly on a date rape; or what can be described as a pre-existing relationship between the victim and the offender. Rape also occurs even when the person accused is the victim’s partner.

In Estrich’s view on an existing case which involved a woman who was attacked by a man who was allegedly accused of raping a woman. The man had an ice pick on the woman’s throat and forced her to shut up, or other she would kill her (Estrich, 1998, p. 161). According to the woman’s narration, she was attacked when she was coming out of a car from her parking lot. This rape issue was not handled as it was supposed and this is why Estrich came up to criticize this issue (Estrich, 1998).

Susan Estrich criticizes these rulings on rape act that occurred on a woman in her parking lot. According to her, these types of defense motives or encourage men to continue repeating such incidences in the society. Notably, contrary to the police description of the incidence that was narrated by the woman, Estrich depicts that the woman was in shock and whatever had happened to her could not clearly come out. Such incidences tend to appear in most cases, and it is never clear at most since the victim is not usually prepared to disclose exactly what happened to her (Estrich, 1998, p. 162).

Battered woman case and Teays’s view on the law

In Bangladesh, women experience the worst treatment from men more than any other states. Mostly this occurs at the beginning of her relationship (Teay, 1999, p. 57-58). In arranged marriages, women are perceived to leave back their families and are brought to environments that are unfamiliar to them to take on the responsibilities of a wife. In the article, Teay brings several instances that should prevent us from the act violence mostly on the female gender. Women have suffered much even to the point of death, in the hands of their husbands and still seems like the government is not taking any blame or any actions to counter the issue (Teay, 1999). It has turned out to be a usual trend in life which each woman should endure and be comfortable. Though Teay recognizes the existing law against gender violence, she still believes that much has to be done to ensure the homes are safe and secure (Teay, 1999, p. 60).

The reason as to why there are many cases of gender violence is that because the legal framework mostly in Bangladesh where the systems have grown weak are overlooked and not seriousness indicated in handling the case by judges and juries. Teay advocates for a system that can be trusted and recommends the installation of technological systems, where women who find themselves in such situation of emergency, can contact the security for immediate help or support. Otherwise, the state will lose many women in gender violence cases. Gender violence against women can be avoided if the right measures and better legal structures are installed (Teay, 1999, p. 68).