Benevolent Sexism

1 Ambivalent Sexism 61. subject of academic interest for more than 100. years, Glick and Fiske sought to examine these attitudes in a more nuanced way, looking at the possibility of complex sexist attitudes that may entail both positive and negative attitudes toward women . To understand ambivalent Sexism , one must first understand its components: paternal and car- ing attitudes, or Benevolent Sexism , and aggressive and mistrusting attitudes, or hostile Sexism . Together, these two attitudes are known as ambiv- alent Sexism , as they imply attitudes that are seem- ingly both positive and negative.

2 Benevolent Sexism Benevolent Sexism is best thought of as a set of attitudes toward or beliefs about women that cat- egorize them as fair, innocent, caring, pure, and fragile. Rather than being overtly misogynistic, these attitudes are often characterized by a desire to protect and preserve women . In many situa- tions, these attitudes may be casually referred to as chivalry or traditional values. However, despite their seemingly positive characteristics, the atti- tudes that constitute Benevolent Sexism are often dangerous and damaging to women 's rights and even their safety.

3 Hostile Sexism Hostile Sexism is much more openly misogynistic than Benevolent Sexism . A hostile sexist is likely to think of women as manipulative, angry, and seek- ing to control men through seduction. Hostile sex- ism often views gender equality as an attack on masculinity or traditional values and seeks to sup- press movements such as feminism. Hostile Sexism often represents a significant danger to women . Ambivalent Sexism At first, hostile and Benevolent Sexism seem to be incompatible. It may seem impossible for individu- Ambivalent Sexism als to simultaneously believe that women are both pure and fragile and also manipulative and angry.

4 In an attempt to understand more fully the nuances However, ambivalent Sexism may be understood in of gender -based prejudices, Peter Glick and Susan light of Sexism more broadly. Particularly within Fiske developed the idea of ambivalent Sexism in Western societies, Sexism is largely based on tradi- the late 1990s. Although Sexism has been the tional gender norms, which place men in positions 62 Ambivalent Sexism of authority in the home, the community, and gov- male-dominated political systems, and to believe ernment. In the majority of cultures, women are that a woman's place is in the home.

5 Importantly, expected to submit to male dominance. Until rela- these associations often are above and beyond the tively recently (the late 19th century until the pres- associations between hostile Sexism and the ent), this system of male dominance was largely relevant outcome. Benevolent Sexism predicts .. unchallenged in the Western world. However, perhaps even causes inequalities between men women 's liberation, universal suffrage, and the and women in a way similar to hostile Sexism . modern feminist movement have gained much Adding more concern is the notion that while hos- power over the past century and a half, and tradi- tile Sexism predicts violence against women , benev- tional gender norms have progressively become olent Sexism tends to predict victim blaming in the less and less universal.

6 In keeping with these context of that violence. Although a benevolently changing societal norms, there have been increas- sexist man may object to violence against women , ing numbers of women who do not conform to he is also more likely to find the woman partially traditional, male-dominated gender norms. Herein at fault for the violence she has experienced. lies the basis for ambivalent Sexism . women who Finally, Benevolent Sexism also affects how women conform to gender norms by respecting and sub- view themselves. women who are exposed to mitting to a largely patriarchal (male dominated) benevolently sexist statements are often less likely society are often the target of Benevolent Sexism .

7 To disagree with such statements than they would More simply, women who conform to expecta- with hostile sexist statements, less likely to orga- tions are viewed as pure, innocent, and gentle. By nize against sexist inequalities, and less likely to contrast, women who do not conform to patriar- challenge patriarchal norms. In short, Benevolent chal norms are viewed as deserving hostile Sexism , Sexism functions as a subtle, yet effective, means of in that they are perceived as manipulative, angry, perpetuating traditional gender norms. and seeking to control men. Sexism in women Impacts of Ambivalent Sexism Ambivalent Sexism may extend beyond simple The impacts of ambivalent Sexism are multifac- dichotomies between men and women .

8 Although eted. Individuals who endorse high levels of hostile women are typically the target of sexist attitudes Sexism are more likely to tolerate and even engage and behaviors, men are not the only perpetrators in sexual harassment of women in a variety of set- of such attitudes. women can be prejudiced too, in tings. Individuals who endorse such attitudes are both hostile and Benevolent ways. also more likely to accept and perpetrate violence At first, the notion of women endorsing sexist toward their intimate partners. Finally, individuals values and behaviors seems absurd.

9 After all, if who are high in hostile Sexism are more likely to Sexism is inevitably damaging to women , then it engage in or excuse sexual violence, such as rape, makes little sense that women would endorse such against women . attitudes. However, there is precedence for the While Benevolent Sexism may not appear to be notion that victims of discrimination and prejudice as overtly dangerous an attitude as hostile Sexism , might internalize some of the views that have vic- there are many consequences. At its core, benevo- timized them. As a by-product of living in a patri- lent Sexism is still based on the assumption that archal society, both men and women are raised in women are somehow weaker than and inferior to an environment that subtly as well as openly men.

10 women may be seen as pure and caring, but enforces sexist ideals. In turn, women often inter- they are also seen as fragile and needing protec- nalize these ideals. In the face of rampant inequal- tion. Although Benevolent Sexism is largely associ- ity, women are forced to either challenge the ated with positive emotions toward women , it still inequality by embracing more egalitarian and places men in a position of authority over the feminist values or accept the inequality by embrac- perceived weaker sex. Men who are high in ing sexist attitudes. Benevolent Sexism tend to express discomfort women are less likely than men to endorse hos- with women in leadership positions, to support tile Sexism , but they are often just as likely as men Androcentrism 63.