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Showing Original Post only (View all)There seems to be a lot of confusion about benevolent sexism. [View all]
This isn't some wacky, made-up term. It's not a sign that 'feminism has gone too far'. It's a real thing, and it provides revealing insights about people's ideas about women and men. It's also not a 'positive' thing.
If you think this is just about holding doors open for anyone, regardless of sex, you're not getting it. If you're curious, please read. If not, well...
Men Don't Recognize 'Benevolent' Sexism: Study
Do most people recognize sexism in their daily lives? And what does it take to get them to shake their sexist beliefs?
In a recent study titled "Seeing the Unseen" psychologists Janet Swim of Pennsylvania State University and Julia Becker of Philipps University Marburg, Germany, set out to answer these questions.
Over the course of three separate, seven-day-long trials, Swim and Becker asked 120 college undergraduates (82 women and 38 men, ranging from 18 to 26 years old, some from the U.S., some from Germany) to record in a journal sexist comments they encountered on a daily basis. According to Swim, she and Becker hoped to determine whether forcing people to pay attention to less obvious forms of sexism could decrease their endorsement of sexist beliefs.
...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/27/men-dont-recognize-benevolent-sexism_n_885430.html
Do most people recognize sexism in their daily lives? And what does it take to get them to shake their sexist beliefs?
In a recent study titled "Seeing the Unseen" psychologists Janet Swim of Pennsylvania State University and Julia Becker of Philipps University Marburg, Germany, set out to answer these questions.
Over the course of three separate, seven-day-long trials, Swim and Becker asked 120 college undergraduates (82 women and 38 men, ranging from 18 to 26 years old, some from the U.S., some from Germany) to record in a journal sexist comments they encountered on a daily basis. According to Swim, she and Becker hoped to determine whether forcing people to pay attention to less obvious forms of sexism could decrease their endorsement of sexist beliefs.
...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/27/men-dont-recognize-benevolent-sexism_n_885430.html
'Benevolent Sexism' Is Not an Oxymoron and Has Insidious Consequences for Women, Experts Argue
"The truth about sexism seems stranger than fiction," wrote authors Peter Glick and Susan T. Fiske, about their investigations into the nature of sexism. Sexist attitudes are not exclusively hostile, but include an "odd conjunction of what at first seemed inherently incompatible: subjective affection as a form of prejudice," which they labeled "benevolent sexism."
Glick and Fiske have shown the negative consequences of attitudes that idealize women as pure, moral, pedestal-worthy objects of men's adoration, protection, and provision. People who endorse benevolent sexism feel positively toward women, but only when women conform to highly traditional ideals about "how women should be."
Benevolent sexism motivates chivalrous acts that many women may welcome, such as a man's offer to lift heavy boxes or install the new computer. While the path to benevolent sexism may be paved with good intentions, it reinforces the assumption that men possess greater competence than women, whom benevolent sexists view as wonderful, but weak and fragile.
...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004121314.htm
"The truth about sexism seems stranger than fiction," wrote authors Peter Glick and Susan T. Fiske, about their investigations into the nature of sexism. Sexist attitudes are not exclusively hostile, but include an "odd conjunction of what at first seemed inherently incompatible: subjective affection as a form of prejudice," which they labeled "benevolent sexism."
Glick and Fiske have shown the negative consequences of attitudes that idealize women as pure, moral, pedestal-worthy objects of men's adoration, protection, and provision. People who endorse benevolent sexism feel positively toward women, but only when women conform to highly traditional ideals about "how women should be."
Benevolent sexism motivates chivalrous acts that many women may welcome, such as a man's offer to lift heavy boxes or install the new computer. While the path to benevolent sexism may be paved with good intentions, it reinforces the assumption that men possess greater competence than women, whom benevolent sexists view as wonderful, but weak and fragile.
...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004121314.htm
Benevolent sexism puts women off asking for help
Benevolent sexism describes insidious behaviours and beliefs that reinforce the idea that women are less capable than men and need their help. It's a controversial idea. It's not always clear if an act, such as a man opening a door for a woman, is simply polite or an example of benevolent sexism. Another issue is whether or not benevolent sexism is harmful. A new study led by Juliet Wakefield claims to show that exposure to benevolent sexism can put women off asking for help. If true, it's a finding that has obvious implications for the workplace, especially in contexts where health and safety could be compromised.
Eighty-six female undergrads arrived one at a time at a psychology lab for what they thought was an investigation into sex differences in reasoning and problem-solving. A female research assistant welcomed them and explained that they'd be interacting with a remote research team via computer. She then went and sat behind a partition in the same room. The three-person remote team were either all male or all female (this was clear from their names), and they proceeded to ask some basic questions of the participant via the computer.
Next, the research assistant's mobile phone rang. It was obvious from her end of the conversation that it was her male plumber "Joe". He'd moved some items in her house without asking - an act that the research assistant blamed either on his impatience or his sexist beliefs. After her call, the research assistant apologised to the participant, either saying "Sorry about that, my plumber is so impatient" or "Sorry about that - my plumber is such a typical man - he thinks that women are incapable of doing anything on their own!"
...
http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2012/12/benevolent-sexism-puts-women-off-asking.html
Benevolent sexism describes insidious behaviours and beliefs that reinforce the idea that women are less capable than men and need their help. It's a controversial idea. It's not always clear if an act, such as a man opening a door for a woman, is simply polite or an example of benevolent sexism. Another issue is whether or not benevolent sexism is harmful. A new study led by Juliet Wakefield claims to show that exposure to benevolent sexism can put women off asking for help. If true, it's a finding that has obvious implications for the workplace, especially in contexts where health and safety could be compromised.
Eighty-six female undergrads arrived one at a time at a psychology lab for what they thought was an investigation into sex differences in reasoning and problem-solving. A female research assistant welcomed them and explained that they'd be interacting with a remote research team via computer. She then went and sat behind a partition in the same room. The three-person remote team were either all male or all female (this was clear from their names), and they proceeded to ask some basic questions of the participant via the computer.
Next, the research assistant's mobile phone rang. It was obvious from her end of the conversation that it was her male plumber "Joe". He'd moved some items in her house without asking - an act that the research assistant blamed either on his impatience or his sexist beliefs. After her call, the research assistant apologised to the participant, either saying "Sorry about that, my plumber is so impatient" or "Sorry about that - my plumber is such a typical man - he thinks that women are incapable of doing anything on their own!"
...
http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2012/12/benevolent-sexism-puts-women-off-asking.html
Saved the best for last...
Top Conservative Author Endorses Benevolent Sexism
Charles Murray, a scholar at the leading conservative think tank the American Enterprise Institute, may be the most influential populizer of racist views in the country. His book The Bell Curve, which posits that black people are genetically less intelligent than whites, practically spawned an entire field of scholarship devoted to debunking it. His most recent book, Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010 even made an appearance on the campaign trial during the recent presidential election.
Murray, however, appears to have set aside his retrograde views about race in order to tout equally backwards views about gender. In a short piece on AEIs website, Murray recently suggested that benevolent sexism might be healthy. The only problem is that he appears not to have read the research on which he bases this extraordinary conclusion, which cited strong evidence that benevolent sexism was itself linked to discrimination against women and rape victims.
The paper in question, by Kathleen Connelly and Martin Heesacker, studies why benevolent sexism, understood as an ostensibly flattering ideology that idealizes women who conform to feminine norms, is so commonly accepted by men and women around the world. The authors find that although benevolent sexism perpetuates inequality at the structural level, it might offer some benefits at the personal level by giving men and women a sense of order and structure in their lives.
Though the authors see this as a concern, given that so-called benevolent sexism is net-destructive for women, but Murray believes this is knee-jerk liberal prejudice. When social scientists discover something that increases life satisfaction for both sexes, shouldnt they at least consider the possibility that they have come across something that is positive? Healthy he asks rhetorically. Something that might even conceivably be grounded in the nature of Homo sapiens?
...
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/12/01/1262431/top-conservative-author-endorses-benevolent-sexism/
Charles Murray, a scholar at the leading conservative think tank the American Enterprise Institute, may be the most influential populizer of racist views in the country. His book The Bell Curve, which posits that black people are genetically less intelligent than whites, practically spawned an entire field of scholarship devoted to debunking it. His most recent book, Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010 even made an appearance on the campaign trial during the recent presidential election.
Murray, however, appears to have set aside his retrograde views about race in order to tout equally backwards views about gender. In a short piece on AEIs website, Murray recently suggested that benevolent sexism might be healthy. The only problem is that he appears not to have read the research on which he bases this extraordinary conclusion, which cited strong evidence that benevolent sexism was itself linked to discrimination against women and rape victims.
The paper in question, by Kathleen Connelly and Martin Heesacker, studies why benevolent sexism, understood as an ostensibly flattering ideology that idealizes women who conform to feminine norms, is so commonly accepted by men and women around the world. The authors find that although benevolent sexism perpetuates inequality at the structural level, it might offer some benefits at the personal level by giving men and women a sense of order and structure in their lives.
Though the authors see this as a concern, given that so-called benevolent sexism is net-destructive for women, but Murray believes this is knee-jerk liberal prejudice. When social scientists discover something that increases life satisfaction for both sexes, shouldnt they at least consider the possibility that they have come across something that is positive? Healthy he asks rhetorically. Something that might even conceivably be grounded in the nature of Homo sapiens?
...
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/12/01/1262431/top-conservative-author-endorses-benevolent-sexism/
What a stupid, yet sadly all too common, sentiment.
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There are men who do that? I'm 51 and don't believe I have EVER witnessed that my entire life.
ieoeja
Mar 2013
#14
my head hurts from all the incredibly stupid, and snarky comments on this subject.
niyad
Mar 2013
#4
please notice that I said, "on the subject", not "in this thread" .the remark was about ALL the
niyad
Mar 2013
#171
Does not realizing that it's benevolent sexism make it any less an example of benevolent sexism?
redqueen
Mar 2013
#10
men do hold the door open for other men. My husband and father hold the door open for everybody.
liberal_at_heart
Mar 2013
#18
In one of the other threads I said I hold doors for every/anyone - men, women, children. The
bike man
Mar 2013
#123
I don't believe opening doors is necessarily sexist. I guess it depends on the individual.
liberal_at_heart
Mar 2013
#11
I like to assume someone is just being kind unless they prove otherwise.
liberal_at_heart
Mar 2013
#20
agree, but no one called him a pig. I'd say if you have genuine concerns about office safety and
bettyellen
Mar 2013
#56
I understand that the company is saving money using you as security instead of paying someone.
bettyellen
Mar 2013
#78
hr/finance GIRLS?????? I am assuming that the people who work for this company are over
niyad
Mar 2013
#145
I repeat, girls are female children. this is simply another aspect of the nearly invisible and
niyad
Mar 2013
#231
he doesn't like me driving to store at night because he thinks a mass murderer will kill me while
liberal_at_heart
Mar 2013
#36
you are correct. There are no safe places anymore. I send my kids to school everyday knowing
liberal_at_heart
Mar 2013
#66
Well with my father it is. He doesn't tell other men they shouldn't drive to the store at night.
liberal_at_heart
Mar 2013
#77
I used to work second shift and sometimes had to go to the other building where no one else was
Nikia
Mar 2013
#234
No, you're not sexist, you're just a practical realist and a decent human being.
sabrina 1
Mar 2013
#248
To put it simply, let's learn to respect each other as humans first and foremost
alp227
Mar 2013
#194
This is critical for men today to understand especially in the workplace.
galileoreloaded
Mar 2013
#12
I'm right there with you and would rather absorb the hits than become the antithesis of who I strive
TheKentuckian
Mar 2013
#241
All the people who I have seen or heard about crying at work fit one or all of these scenarios
Nikia
Mar 2013
#230
and I have seen women specifically cry because men abuse them with benevolence which
galileoreloaded
Mar 2013
#240
Nothing says feminist thought quite like "crushing" women in business.
Gravitycollapse
Mar 2013
#209
We demand glass sliding self-opening doors everywhere. Except at our homes - hell no!
freshwest
Mar 2013
#239
Just don't do anything for anyone unless they ask you specifically for help
The2ndWheel
Mar 2013
#37
LOL After reading these threads, I'm ready to start slamming doors...
WorseBeforeBetter
Mar 2013
#54
NO! Instead hold the door for anyone regardless of gender, then you're not sexist.
Lionessa
Mar 2013
#87
Would you consider the phrase "women and children first" to be exemplary of benevolent sexism?
lumberjack_jeff
Mar 2013
#27
doubt you'll get an answer. as that is one of the problems with identity politics.
HiPointDem
Mar 2013
#108
i answered. we have had threads on it in our feminist forum. you would be wrong. nt
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#113
no, you didn't answer the question at all. you answered some other question in your own
HiPointDem
Mar 2013
#219
ha ha ha. you are right. i thought i read him asking about the sinking ship scenerio. hmmm... nt
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#221
i think it is ridiculous. there will be women that kick ass and are needed in an emergency.
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#112
that whole womens first thing is fabricated to an extent. i do not remember it,
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#160
it was. i just forgot cause today i simply believe there will be useful capable women shoving men
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#165
It's an individual thing. If someone is not sensitive enough to easily recognize and understand
Zorra
Mar 2013
#232
even though enough folks have explained it to you beyond the holding of the door, this is where you
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#115
it is even more stupid to claim people are putting down others who are being nice.
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#122
Seems like this is a "problem" solved by a simple "Thank you" or "No, thank you".
Tierra_y_Libertad
Mar 2013
#63
I think of that law as being quite deliberately aimed towards actions that are benevolent
lunatica
Mar 2013
#76
thank you redq. i was gonna do this but, walking out the door. seeing the nonthinking replies were
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#102
Holding the door is just one thing. It really says a lot when it's obvious how little people know
redqueen
Mar 2013
#177
Well it is polite if she is busy breast feeding at the olive garden and needs help lighting it (nt)
The Straight Story
Mar 2013
#109
And would you believe there was a time in some restaurants that a server would
snappyturtle
Mar 2013
#127
old here, as well. I can still remember times that the check was automatically placed in front
niyad
Mar 2013
#147
yes. i remember. and i always had a blast picking it up. but then, i recognized the hypocrisy of
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#148
I once went to a restaurant where some menus had the prices, and others did not.
Nye Bevan
Mar 2013
#151
Never saw that but did see both menus withoout pricing....which always meant $$$$$. nt
snappyturtle
Mar 2013
#153
and some women have never participated and uses it to dismiss feminism without thinking thru
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#141
I certainly hope you are not trying to accuse me in some backhanded way of sitting in ignorance.
Raine1967
Mar 2013
#143
i do not know raine. i have yet to see an opinion on sexism. only feminists. and what is not
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#146
I did not say I didn't believe in benevolent sexism. That said, I don't believe in many theories.
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#162
that is all. we had a conversation about it in our forum. discussion. no more or less. and that
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#159
cause guys started a big boob thread to have their kicks talking about womens boobs and in that
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#164
starving and homeless people are not the only problems in this country, or anywhere else in the
niyad
Mar 2013
#172
Then flipping hide the thread if you care so little! Why are you freaking out?
redqueen
Mar 2013
#176
If opening a door for a person can be sexual harassment then this world is lost.
peace13
Mar 2013
#179
This is the kind of stuff we discuss all the time in feminist theory courses.
Gravitycollapse
Mar 2013
#183
This is similar reasoning a republican uses when discussing affirmative action. n/t
egduj
Mar 2013
#175
Maybe every time we bring up a feminist issue that people just love derailing, we should place bets
redqueen
Mar 2013
#188
I was just accused of not helping the homeless for practicing feminist deconstruction.
Gravitycollapse
Mar 2013
#196
i love the deconstruction conversation. i had not heard it that way, but it is exactly
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#198
Even when we discuss something like benevolent sexism we say "possible sexism..."
Gravitycollapse
Mar 2013
#200
agreed. i have never advocated women having the right to physically assault anyone. nt
seabeyond
Mar 2013
#199
I believe it was Marlyn Frye who talked about obsession with male access to everything.
Gravitycollapse
Mar 2013
#205
This is a thread chiefly on the discussion of benevelant sexism against women
Gravitycollapse
Mar 2013
#208
How is benevelant sexism against women related to violence against men?
Gravitycollapse
Mar 2013
#214
Well, rq, you obviously hit dead center of the bullseye with your OP subject line.
Zorra
Mar 2013
#233
It really isn't complicated. And it ties into rape culture, so it is important.
redqueen
Mar 2013
#235