Sexism: Where/When does it begin?

We live in a civilized society, meaning, we are advanced and have sensible laws and customs. Which includes the social customs assigned to the different genders. Even though both the genders have the aspects of femineity and masculinity, as we grew to define and differentiate our roles in society, we designated the masculine traits to the male and the feminine traits to the female, A very simple implementation of a very complex concept.

Giving birth to Sexism, defined as prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, on the basis of sex.  As social animals of the modern world, we survive in being a part of a community, in being accepted. Often identifying with just a part of our characteristics, we not only end up confining and shaming our hidden parts. But we don’t get to truly embrace the depths of our character.

We are put under these constraints during our development, in our homes, meant to be a safe space. A boy has blue clothes and a girl has pink clothes, which is okay. They’re both beautiful colours. A boy has cars and a girl has a barbie as a toy, which is okay. They’re both fun to play with. But what happens when the boy likes pink and the girl likes blue? That is not okay. At least that’s what we’re told because that’s what they were told.  At our homes, we see the different responsibilities of the females and the males in the house. Like delegation, which is used to run corporates, dividing responsibilities for the efficient functioning of a household. It seems smart; so, where does the problem arise?

It happens when individuals are forced to step into roles based on their genders. Completely disregarding not only their preferences but also their potential regarding the task that accompany those roles. For example, The woman feels more comfortable and efficient as a professional, and the man, as a homemaker. It seems unnatural initially, it doesn’t sound familiar, because it’s not complying with the gender norms that we are taught. While the above example mentions a major fragment of one’s lifestyle, these norms limit us in our day-to-day lives as well.

Emotions of aggression, power, and vigor are celebrated in men and those of sensitivity, nurturing, and tenderness are celebrated in women. Again, at the very core of our environment, our homes. Puts the two genders on the extreme ends of the spectrum of humanity.  We train and program ourselves to align our personalities based on these set standards. And start rejecting our certain qualities that first our home rejects, then the society.  These roles take a huge toll on an individual’s mental health as well by creating such extreme categories; Men not allowed to be vulnerable and women being considered as only the domestic gender.

However, these practices have led women to take the shorter end of the stick. Sexism, initially defined as prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, on the basis of sex. Now also includes ‘typically against women’ as a part of its Oxford dictionary definition.

Such social customs which helped build civilizations are now outdated. To unlock the true potential that we hold, we need to eradicate the mold that was created for dated conditions for our children. At our homes, creating it to be a safe and open space for them to choose and discover what qualities they possess.

Any contradiction to sexism will have encouraging, supporting and embracing both feminine and masculine traits of an individual as its core practice. By allowing our daughters and sons to like any colour and any toy. We will allow them to be someone that they truly identify with. As social animals, we will thrive in being accepted by a community that accepts itself.