An Analysis of Sexism and Micro-Aggressions in Contemporary Society

This essay delves into the pervasive issues of sexism and micro-aggressions in contemporary society, focusing primarily on the discrimination faced by women. It begins by defining sexism and examining its historical context, highlighting forms such as domestic violence, workplace inequality, and sexual assault. The essay emphasizes the importance of involving men in combating sexism and explores micro-aggressions, subtle forms of aggression often overlooked but with significant long-term impacts. It differentiates between microinsults and microinvalidations, providing examples of how they manifest in everyday interactions and the workplace. The paper underscores the negative consequences of these aggressions, including environmental slights and biases, and suggests a need for greater awareness and proactive measures to combat these forms of discrimination. The essay also touches upon the role of women in perpetuating micro-aggressions and the ongoing struggle for gender equality.

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Sexism and Micro-Aggressions
Sexism refers to discrimination that is based on gender and sex differences (Serano,
7). Historically, women have been the most affected gender when it comes to sexism. In
contemporary society, cases of discrimination against women have reduced but are still
significantly prevalent. Women are usually discriminated against through such ways as lower
wages, domestic violence, and sexual assaults. There exists evidence to show that the best
way to solve cases of sexism would be to involve men. Microaggressions refer to subtle
forms of violence. Women are usually affected by these forms of violence. Due to their subtle
nature, they might never be detected. However, they have great negative consequences in the
long run. Microaggressions include microinsults and microinvalidations. This paper is going
to focus on everyday sexism and micro-aggressions.
Everyday Sexism
Sexism refers to discrimination on the basis of sex. Historically, sexism has mainly
been used to refer to discrimination against women. In modern society, the term applies
across the board. The term is used to mean discrimination against men/ women by the virtue
of being sexually different. Although this is the case, women and girls still remain the most
discriminated against group. This assignment is going to focus on sexism against women and
girls. Discrimination against girls and women happen virtually every day. In addition to this,
it happens in many parts of the world. It is important to note that although sexism is still

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widespread, it has greatly reduces compared to the past. This could be attributed to the
unending efforts of human rights groups that advocate for equality and non-discrimination.
One of the most common forms of discrimination that affect women in the
contemporary world is domestic violence. In most cases of domestic violence, women are
likely to be the most affected. They are affected physically, mentally and emotionally. It is
sad to note that the idea of male dominance is still popular in modern days. In most societies
across the world, there is a deeply ingrained belief that men are stronger than women. In
addition to this, women are socialized to believe that they are a weaker gender. Extensive
research has shown that this is what sets in motion sexism and discrimination against women
(Willie, 28). Sometimes, these beliefs are so deep that women and girls do not view it a
wrong thing to be discriminated against by men. Cases of domestic violence are still greatly
prevalent in contemporary society. It is sad to note that there are women who are injured
seriously or even killed through this form of violence. There is a need for more to be done to
ensure that sexism reduces.
Another great form of sexism against women is in the workplace. Since the beginning
of time, it has been a common phenomenon for women to receive lower salaries than men
even when they are in the same job groups. There is an argument that is usually put across to
justify this kind of discrimination. It is argued that women are not as productive as men.
Sometimes, there may exist greater productivity among men especially where masculinity
and energy are required. This is mainly for past jobs. In modern days, however, most jobs
require other expertise and skills other than physical strength. In light of this, it is important
for employers across the world to ensure that women are compensated as fairly as the men
are. It is a high form of discrimination to pay lower wages/ salaries to women just because of
their gender/ sex.

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Cases of rape represent another form of sexism/ discrimination among women.
Although most governments across the world have put in strict measures to end and deal with
cases of sexual assaults, women and girls still face numerous of these cases (Harding, 37). It
is important for stringent measures to be taken to curb this. There exists extensive evidence to
show that sexual assault has untold emotional, psychological and physical effects (Bates, 14).
In fact, some of these experiences may take years to heal. It is therefore important to ensure
that there are measures in place to bring to an end this form of discrimination against women.
Extensive evidence reveals that the best approach to bring sexism to an end is to
involve men. Men are usually the perpetrators of sexism and discrimination against women.
If they are involved in the process of eradicating these vices, then the fight is likely to yield
better results. To achieve this, men should start by acknowledging that sexism exists. After
this, they can take an active role in confronting sexism. There are several campaigns that
involve men with the aim of ending sexism and discrimination against women. Hopefully,
these campaigns will yield results and sexism will be a thing of the past.
Micro-Aggressions
Microaggressions are most common in the workplace. Recent studies show that
microaggression against women is still as high as 64% (Talbot, 77). This is a huge percentage
considering that we are living in the 21st century. At this day and age, one would be tempted
to believe that the concepts of justice, equity and equality are already known and appreciated
by every person. Most cases of microaggression that happen daily usually go unnoticed. They
are usually treated as minor and unimportant. This may explain why the percentage of
macroaggressions is still remarkably high.
Microaggression happens every day and may take different forms. They may be in the
form of environmental slights, insults, etc. In addition to this, microaggression may either be

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intentional or intentional. While microaggression is mainly viewed as racial discrimination, it
may take many different forms. Microaggressions may not be obvious at first because of their
subtle nature. Although this is the case, there exists evidence to show that long term
microaggression may have immense negative effects on women.
One form that microaggression may take is what is referred to as microinsults. This
refers to communication that is aimed at demeaning another person or showing contempt
towards them. This is a common form of microaggression that is perpetrated against women.
It involves rude statements and behavior. One of the most common ways in which this is
practiced is through asking a woman how she got her job. This question is asked in a manner
likely to suggest that she got her job through affirmative action or through the quota system.
Therefore, it is a form of aggression that demeans the ability of women to use their own skills
and qualifications to get a job.
Microinvalidations are another form of microaggression that is commonly practiced.
These involve communications that are shaped in such a way that nullifies the psychological
thoughts or feelings of women. One of the common ways to invalidate women is to treat
them as though they are always prone to emotional imbalance. There is a tendency for some
people to assume that emotional intelligence is a monopoly of men. This an ill-formed idea.
There exists enough evidence to show that both men and women have the capability of being
emotionally intelligent. Therefore, this form of microaggression greatly demeans women and
should be avoided at all costs.
It is worth noting that microaggressions are not limited to interactions between men
and women. The term may also be used to broadly mean what happens in the environment.
For instance, it common for men to dominate leadership positions. This is an indirect way in
which microaggressions manifest themselves. The main reason why there are fewer women

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in leadership positions is due to the microaggression that the general society perpetrates
against women (Torino, 57). Here, there is also the aspect of women practicing
microaggression towards their fellow women. There exists evidence to show that a significant
number of women would not be more confident if positions of leadership were held by men
and not women. Although this is the case, it is important to note that there have been
significant improvements in the recent past. The number of women in leadership positions is
steadily increasing. Women are increasingly becoming leaders both at the political and
corporate arenas. It is important to involve both men and women in campaigns of ensuring
that women are empowered to become leaders.
Conclusion
Women and girls still face various forms of discrimination in the contemporary
society. There are several forms of sexism that women may encounter. One of these forms is
domestic violence. Cases of domestic violence are still greatly prevalent in modern society.
Most of the people affected are women. Most of these cases go unnoticed. This is because
most societies have made women to believe that they are weaker sex compared to men.
Lower salaries/ wages for women at the workplace is another common form of sexism.
Women are usually paid lower even when they are in the same job group as men. This is
guided by a notorious belief where employers assume that men must be more productive than
women. Cases of sexual assault other forms of sexism perpetrated against women.
Microaggression involves subtle forms of aggression that are perpetrated against women
daily. They include microinsults and microinvalidations. Women may be responsible for
perpetrating microaggression against fellow women.

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References
Bates, Laura. Everyday sexism: The project that inspired a worldwide movement. Macmillan,
2016. 7-21
Harding, Kate. Asking for it: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture--and what we can do about
it. Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2015. 36-56
Serano, Julia. Whipping girl: A transsexual woman on sexism and the scapegoating of
femininity. Hachette UK, 2016. 7-14
Talbot, Margaret. "A gendered physical education: equality and sexism." Equality,
Education, and Physical Education. Routledge, 2017. 74-89.
Torino, Gina C. Microaggression theory: Influence and implications. Sage, 2018. 56-87
Willie, Charles V. Mental health, racism and sexism. Routledge, 2016. 21-35