Why are we talking about misogyny?
Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and equal – no matter their gender. Unfortunately, sometimes unfair beliefs and behaviours hurt girls, women and people who don’t fit typical gender expectations. Learning about misogyny helps us all to spot it and stand up for equality.
Where does misogyny come from?
Gender stereotypes
Misogyny doesn’t just come out of nowhere. From a young age, people are often taught that men and women should behave in certain ways – like men being tough and women being caring. These stereotypes create unfair expectations and can lead to negative beliefs about women over time.
Watch ‘Gender Roles and Stereotypes’ from AMAZE Org
Influencers and online spaces
Some influencers or content creators spread harmful ideas about women and girls – sometimes very openly, sometimes more subtly through jokes, memes or ‘advice’. When these influencers have a lot of followers, their messages can seem believable or even aspirational.
Algorithms (which decide what you see online) can also keep pushing similar content into your feed, making extreme views seem more common than they really are. This can slowly make misogynistic ideas feel ‘normal’ without people even realising it’s happening.
Push and pull factors
Push factors are things that drive people away from healthy ideas about equality. For example, if someone is bullied, excluded or feels angry about relationships, they might be ‘pushed’ towards groups that blame women for those problems as it gives them an ‘answer’.
Pull factors are the ways that misogynistic groups or ideas attract people in. They might offer a sense of belonging, simple answers (“it’s all women’s fault”), or the promise of power or success.
Misogynistic groups and influencers can seem supportive when these push and pull factors are combined and a person feels lonely, hurt or frustrated. But in reality, these groups and influencers are exploiting people’s feelings and vulnerabilities to spread hatred and benefit themselves.
What does misogyny look like?
Misogyny can be obvious, like name calling, or subtle, like unfair expectations based on someone’s gender. It happens both online and in real life. Some ways misogyny might show up include:
- Belief that wearing revealing clothing means a victim was ‘asking for it’
- Rating/ranking people based on their appearance
- ‘Real man’ stereotype that boys should be strong and not show emotion
- Myth that women ‘cry rape’ when they regret having sex
- ‘Good girl’ stereotypes that girls should be quiet, submissive & agreeable
- Describing a girl as a ‘slut’ or a ‘slag’ particularly relating to her actions or appearance
- Describing a boy as a ‘player’ or ‘lad’ for having multiple sexual partners
- Sending unsolicited nude images
What are the impacts of misogyny?
Because of sexism and misogyny, girls and women have reported feeling:
- Less safe
- Degraded
- Embarrassed
- Angry
- Less important
- Less confident
Misogyny doesn’t just affect how someone feels, and it doesn’t only affect girls and women – anyone can be negatively impacted by it. Misogyny can lead to wider problems that affect whole communities and societies.
Mental Health
Studies show experiencing sexism makes girls five times more likely to have serious mental health problems like depression. [1]
Boys are often told not to cry and to ‘man up’ in fear of looking ‘weak’ or ‘feminine’. This can mean that boys and men don’t ask for help when they need it and this can be really harmful. In the UK, men are 3 times more likely to die by suicide than women, making it the leading cause of death in men under 50. [2]
Self Esteem
When people constantly hear sexist comments, are judged about how they look and behave, or are unable to be themselves, it can make them feel small or not good enough.
Pressure to fit in
Misogyny sends messages about how boys and girls should act: for example, girls are expected to be quiet and accommodating whilst boys are expected to be tough and hide their emotions. These stereotypes can make people feel like they have to conform, even if it doesn’t reflect who they truly are.
Limit opportunities
Misogyny can limit opportunities in careers, education and even hobbies.
Many girls feel discouraged from pursuing careers in fields like science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). Women currently only make up 26% of the STEM workforce in the UK, showing how early stereotypes can last into adulthood.
Boys may avoid careers in caring professions like nursing or early years education, due to stereotypes of these jobs being seen as ‘feminine’.
Women are 50% more likely to be low paid than men [4], with stereotypically ‘female’ jobs being lower paid and women facing barriers to reaching top positions.
Violence and harassment
Misogyny can lead to serious problems in society like gender based violence.
Where disrespecting women and girls becomes normal, it creates a culture where violence and aggression are more likely to happen.
In the UK, around 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse, and 1 in 5 will experience sexual assault during their lifetime. [3]
Body image
Media often show one ‘perfect’ way to look that is usually based on sexist ideas, which can lead to people feeling pressured to look a certain way, and contribute to eating disorders and low self esteem.
Different experiences of misogyny
Misogyny doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. Things like race, disability, sexuality, religion, class and trans identity can all change how people experience sexism. This is called intersectionality, meaning that different parts of your identity can combine to create unique challenges.
For example:
- A Black girl might face both racism and sexism, like being unfairly seen as ‘loud’ or ‘angry’ compared to white girls, even when speaking in the same way.
- A Disabled woman might be seen as less capable because of both her gender and disability, making it harder to get jobs and be taken seriously.
- A lesbian woman might face sexism and homophobia, like being told she just ‘hasn’t met the right man yet’.
- A Muslim woman who wears a hijab might face sexism and Islamophobia, such as people assuming she’s oppressed or judging her clothing choices.
- A transgender girl might experience sexism and transphobia, like being excluded from girls’ spaces or being expected to be extra feminine to ‘make up’ for being trans.
- A non-binary person may experience sexism and transphobia, like being incorrectly seen and treated as a woman, whilst also being excluded from women’s spaces.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s experience with sexism and misogyny is different because of the many aspects of our identities. By understanding intersectionality, we can be more supportive of others and stand up for everyone’s right to be treated fairly, no matter who they are.
What can I do to help?
Responding to misogyny
Disapprove
When you see misogyny happening, it’s important to show that you don’t support that kind of behaviour. Sometimes, your reaction can speak louder than words. You can show your disapproval by not laughing at hurtful jokes or comments. Walking away from the situation or simply shaking your head can also send a clear message that you don’t condone it. Your actions can influence others around you to think twice about their behaviour.
Direct Action
Sometimes, the best way to address misogyny is to directly call it out. If you hear something that doesn’t sit right with you, say something like, “That’s not funny,” or “I don’t get it.” Don’t be afraid to speak up – your voice matters. By speaking out, you challenge those harmful ideas and help others see that misogyny isn’t acceptable.
Distract
If you’re in a situation where speaking up feels difficult, you can still make a difference by changing the subject. You don’t have to engage with the negative behaviour. Instead, steer the conversation in a more positive direction, like saying, “Hey, did you see the match last night?” or talking about something everyone enjoys. This can help defuse the situation and shift attention away from harmful comments.
Delegate
If you don’t feel comfortable or safe addressing the situation yourself, it’s okay to get help. Tell a trusted adult like a parent, carer or teacher. If it’s happening online, you can also report the post or comment to the social media platform. Social media sites have systems in place to deal with harmful content, and your report can make a difference in stopping it from spreading further.
Delay
After an incident happens, it’s important to check in with the person who was affected. Let them know you care and are there for them. A simple, “I’m sorry that happened, are you okay?” can show that you’re supportive and help the person feel less alone. Your kindness can make a big difference.
Building community and changing culture
Support each other
Misogyny hurts everyone – not just women and girls. Make space for your friends, no matter their gender, to talk about what they’re going through. Listen, encourage emotional honesty and challenge the idea that boys and men need to be ‘tough’ all the time. This helps break down the stereotypes that fuel misogyny and creates a more open, respectful environment for everyone.
Promote positive male role models
There are plenty of men – online, in media and in real life – who show that being respectful, kind and emotionally open is a strength. Whether it’s a friend, a teacher, someone you follow or someone from your favourite TV show – highlight and support men who show these positive qualities. Sharing their messages or simply talking about what makes them positive role models can help to shift the culture around you.
Stand with girls, women and people facing misogyny
If someone shares their experience of sexism or misogyny, believe them and back them up. That might mean checking in with them afterwards, speaking up when it’s safe, or simply validating what they feel. Solidarity helps people to feel seen and safe.
Look after your own mental health
Feeling disconnected, angry, or like you don’t belong can make toxic messages seem more appealing. Build your self-esteem by connecting with people who value you, doing things that make you feel good, and getting help when you need it. You deserve support just as much as anyone else.
Check out the ‘Reaching out for help‘ section on Young Minds website.
Create safe and respectful spaces
Whether it’s at school, online, or in your friend group – help to create a culture of respect. Share things that promote respect and kindness. Call out misogyny when it shows up in memes, jokes or group chats. Culture changes when lots of small actions build up into something bigger.
References:
- https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/media-centre/sexism-linked-to-higher-rates-of-depression-in-young-women/
- https://www.england.nhs.uk/blog/tackling-the-root-causes-of-suicide/
- https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2019/03/07/violence-against-women-and-girls-and-male-position-factsheets/
- https://www.livingwage.org.uk/news/nearly-3-million-women-paid-below-real-living-wage-gender-pay-gap-widens
