By Afshan Akram
Firstly, the question arises, what does even the word ‘sexist’ mean? Well, it means separation dependent on sex particularly against ladies. In a simpler language it means discrimination against women. It has been connected to generalizations and may incorporate the conviction that one sex is characteristically better than another.
Most of the time we notice in our vicinity that there are jokes being made around women, or people demeaning a woman just because of their gender. All of these just point out the word sexist.
We can see everyday sexism happening just around us in our day-to-day activities. Almost daily, women receive comments which surround their body or just the way they look. They are called fat, dainty or revolting. Each lady is excellent in their own particular manner. Somehow women are held responsible even at office for fetching coffees or running errands. In Fact some women have been taught to do this since they are born, so they just take up responsibilities on their own.
Women are sometimes infantilized like being called ‘good girl’, though sometimes it may be harmless, but it is wrong infantilizing ladies in this manner. It is really stooping and shows they are not being viewed appropriately as an expert.
And there are always double standards around women. A woman who is assertive is called bitchy. Or a woman who is holding a high position in office is called in for sleeping around, slut shamed while a man is called a ‘workaholic’.
And last but not the least, is a woman always being asked about when she is getting married or when she is going to have babies? I mean it is quite understandable that we are born with a uterus and are responsible for bringing babies into the world. If it were not for women some men wouldn’t even be here in the first place. But that is not the only job they are in the world for. Each woman has her own priorities and her own choices.
So, it is high time men ask themselves the tough question. Am I sexist?