WOMEN EMPOWERMENT-FOCUSED IDIOMS: BENEVOLENT SEXISM

Hello everybody and welcome back to the Daily Vitamin. I hope you are having an excellent day. 

Today is International Women's Day, so this week we are looking at different words and expressions related to female empowerment. Some of these expressions are not necessarily positive, and may represent ideas and beliefs that women have been fighting to change for years.

Today's expression is: BENEVOLENT SEXISM

Definition: This is a less obvious form of sexism. It can look like a compliment, although usually it's rooted in men's feelings of superiority. An example would be when men say women are worthy of their protection (e.g., women should get off the sinking boat first) or that women are more nurturing than men (and, therefore, should raise children). Benevolent sexism is restrictive to women, but also to men since it defines set societal roles that traditional genders should follow.

Example 1: Robert, telling your secretary that she is good at buying gifts for people in the office because she is a woman is a form of benevolent sexism.

Example 2: The claim that women are more intuitive puts women on a pedestal and promotes the belief that they are less likely to rely on rational thought; it also insinuates that men cannot develop their intuition. So, it's an example of benevolent sexism.

Have you ever witnessed or been a victim of benevolent sexism? Tell us about it on one of our social media sites (Facebook or Twitter) and we'll react to your comments ASAP.

I hope everyone has an excellent day!