Misogynistic beliefs and ideas perpetuated by the media, social systems, schools, and other mediums don’t just affect boys. Girls and women, too, can and do become victims of misogynistic ideas.
With the rise of social media platforms such as TikTok, we can see how women internalize misogynistic ideas and perpetuate them onto themselves and other women. Videos made by female creators with captions such as “Why I don’t hang out with girls” circulate quickly, citing reasons such as “less drama” and “guys are more fun.” These are perfect examples of women being so subject to sexist rhetoric that they begin to believe them. The ideas they cite in these videos are inherently driven by sexist factors that they are themselves thinking, acting on, and regurgitating.
We further see this in the phrase “not like other girls.” Although this has become somewhat of a joke or meme, its origin has roots in profound misogynistic ideals. From being fed, mainly by the media, constant images of women who are oversexualized and unintellectual, girls feel the need to distance themselves from these harmful caricatures that they believe represent all women. As individuals, we see ourselves in the fullest. We know that we have brains, ideas, and self-worth, which girls are led to believe that other women don’t and so young girls believe that they are unable to identify with other women.
Written by Josie Gregory
Artwork by Zara Masood
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