User:Mckin114/sandbox

Internalized sexism is the involuntary internalization women of the sexist messages that are present in their societies and culture. Internalized sexism may be conscious, in which women actively resent other women, or unconscious, in which women who consciously hold feminist views may still unconsciously regard themselves and others as lesser to men.

Internalized misogyny is common in many traditional cultures. In these such cultures, women who are deeply invested in preserving their culture and way of life; to do so, they actively seek to prevent other women from stepping out of their assigned roles within their culture. These women see their own behavior in doing so as virtuous, as opposed to oppressive.

The message of sexism comes in two ways, externalized and internalized. The external sexism is messages and behavior coming to us from outside, through institutions and individuals, e.g. "Women are too emotional to be in positions of authority." Internalized sexism is taking in and believing the stereotypes and misinformation that our sexist culture has externalized on us about being female and what it means to be a woman, resulting in the female expressing self-doubt e.g. "What do I know..." , "Who am I to speak..."

The effects of internalized sexism is the development of a reservoir of self-hate, whether conscious or sub-conscious, and the propensity to accept a male point of view over their own or another women's as superior. Internalized sexism may cause a woman to attempt too identify with her oppressor, his ego, status power and accomplishments, in an attempt escape her feelings of lack of self-worth. Women may also seek to not identify with other women who are victims of internalized sexism so they will not be associated with others deemed weak, as well as to avoid confronting their own sexism and oppression as these women reflect themselves.

To combat internalized sexism women must realized they have internalized sexism. By admitting participation in the system women can begin to change it. Women need to recognize that, no matter how much conscious work they have put into dismantling sexism that everyone is, ultimately, products of their culture and society. And because of this there will be sexist assumptions and thoughts operating in the background of our thoughts. Only once it has been accepted that everyone is part of the problem, can work be done towards minimizing the problem of sexism. Furthermore, to combat internalized sexism women must actively support the success of one another, instead of questioning the contributions of other women. Women must create a new consciousness of and with each other,that does not work to stereotype and diminish women, but rather strives to find, reinforce and validate an authentic self not dictated by culture or patriarchy.