Lesson 10: Sexism

OK, here’s the GIST of this lesson: You’re not LESS THAN, in any way, nor are you going to allow yourself to be treated as something LESS THAN, just because you’re a girl.

Now allow me to ineptly explain what sexism is:

Racism is, essentially, discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race and/or the prejudice that members of one race are superior to members of other races.

In other words, just because your skin is a different color, you get treated differently than someone else.

Sexism is when a man or women discriminates against or devalues someone of the opposite sex, just because they are of the opposite sex; as in:

“I’m better (or privileged) because I am a man, a male, and you are a female.”

Sexism is something we learn. For example, from Disney! (See the Video Below)

Self-defense against sexism (that is, in being a victim of discriminatory behavior aimed towards you, just because you’re a female) begins with BEING AWARE when someone is behaving in a way that treats you as “less than,” just because you’re a girl.

Being aware that something is “not right” —allows you to think about, and take action on, things that ARE right.

If and when YOU “buy into” the idea that you are less than, not as strong as, more delicate than, or not as capable as a male of our species, then you are perpetuating sexism. To pay you less, just because you’re a girl, to be ordered around, just because you are a girl, to be treated not as a person, but as a “thing” or “object,” just because you are a girl — all of this is NOT OK.

Some good reading / viewing about television and the media and it’s practices (including sexism) can be found at the website: Media Awareness Network. The resources there are pointed at parents and teachers, but you may find it interesting as well.

While the word “sexism” isn’t used by many girls, until they’re in college, it’s a good word to understand early on. If you know where discrimination is going to come from, it allows you to prepare for it, in advance —which is known as “self-defense.”

Girls (like all people) defend themselves with their heads. Knowledge IS self-defense.



Gender roles are learned —and here, Disney does its part to teach us how girls and boys are “supposed” to act. Seen from this perspective, it’s no wonder girls are discriminated upon and/or often victims of male aggression.