Misogyny in Plain Sight: Why Sexism Persists Even in Modern Society

Misogyny

For many people, misogyny is something that belongs to the past. It conjures images of women being denied the right to vote, barred from higher education, or excluded from positions of power simply because they were women. We look back on those eras with disbelief, convinced that society has moved beyond such blatant discrimination.

After all, women today can become presidents, CEOs, professors, judges, astronauts, entrepreneurs, and leaders in virtually every field. Laws in many countries prohibit gender discrimination, and conversations about women’s rights have become more prominent than ever before. On the surface, it seems as though we’ve made remarkable progress.

Yet, despite these advances, misogyny has not disappeared. It has simply become more sophisticated. It no longer always announces itself through laws or explicit declarations that women are inferior. Instead, it often hides behind culture, humour, tradition, religion, stereotypes, and even compliments. It thrives in subtle assumptions that are so deeply woven into everyday life that many people fail to recognize them as sexism at all.

The uncomfortable truth is that misogyny often exists in plain sight, not because people openly celebrate it, but because we’ve become accustomed to it.

Misogyny Isn’t Always About Hatred

One of the biggest misconceptions about misogyny is that it simply means hating women. Certainly, hatred is one form of misogyny, but reducing the concept to hatred alone oversimplifies a much larger issue.

Misogyny is also about prejudice, contempt, and systems of belief that consistently place women in positions of lesser value, authority, or credibility. It is reflected in the assumptions we make, the expectations we impose, and the standards we apply differently based on gender.

A person doesn’t have to declare, “I hate women,” to hold misogynistic beliefs. Someone can sincerely love their mother, wife, daughter, or sister while still believing that women are naturally less capable of leadership, less rational than men, or better suited to supportive roles than positions of authority. This is what makes misogyny particularly difficult to confront. It often exists alongside affection.

The Double Standards

If misogyny only existed in extreme forms, it would be much easier to identify and challenge. Instead, it frequently appears through double standards that have become so normal we barely question them.

An ambitious man is often described as confident, driven, or visionary. An ambitious woman may be labelled aggressive, bossy, intimidating, or difficult.

A father who changes diapers is praised for “helping” with his own children. A mother performing the same duties receives no special recognition because it is simply expected of her. A man growing older is often said to be ageing gracefully or becoming more distinguished. A woman growing older is more likely to face scrutiny over wrinkles, grey hair, and whether she has maintained youthful beauty.

These differences may appear small in isolation, but together they shape how society values men and women differently.

Culture plays an important role in shaping identity, preserving history, and creating community. But culture should never be beyond criticism. Throughout history, countless discriminatory practices have been defended simply because “that’s how things have always been.”

In many societies, women are still expected to sacrifice careers for family while men are praised for prioritizing work. Girls may be raised to be accommodating, modest, and agreeable, while boys are encouraged to be bold, outspoken, and assertive.

Women who challenge these expectations are sometimes accused of abandoning tradition rather than exercising personal freedom. When inequality is disguised as culture, questioning it is often portrayed as disrespect.

But traditions should serve people, not the other way around. The fact that an idea has existed for generations does not automatically make it just.

Sexism

Some people dismiss subtle sexism because it seems insignificant compared to more obvious forms of discrimination. But everyday experiences shape confidence, opportunity, and self-worth. Imagine constantly being interrupted during meetings. Imagine having your expertise questioned before you’ve even spoken.

Imagine being judged more for your appearance than your qualifications. Imagine carrying the burden of proving your competence over and over simply because of your gender. No single incident may seem life-changing.

But together, they create an environment where women often have to work harder simply to be viewed as equally capable. This invisible burden is one of misogyny’s greatest strengths.

Can Women Reinforce Misogyny? One of the most uncomfortable realities is that misogyny is not upheld exclusively by men. Women, too, can internalize beliefs that place women beneath men.

A woman may criticize another woman’s ambition while praising similar behaviour in men. She may believe leadership is naturally masculine. She may judge women more harshly than she judges men for the same actions.

This phenomenon is often referred to as internalized misogyny, the unconscious acceptance of sexist beliefs by women themselves.

Social Media: A Mirror and a Magnifier

The rise of social media has brought important conversations about gender into the public eye. Women now have platforms to share experiences that were once dismissed or ignored.

At the same time, social media has amplified misogyny in new ways. Women in politics, sports, journalism, entertainment, and business often receive disproportionate abuse online compared to their male counterparts.

Building a More Equal Society

Eliminating misogyny isn’t about proving that women are better than men. Nor is it about creating competition between the sexes. It is about ensuring that opportunities, respect, and dignity are not determined by gender.

That requires more than changing laws. It requires changing assumptions. It requires parents raising sons and daughters with equal expectations. It requires workplaces examining unconscious bias. It requires schools teaching respect rather than stereotypes.

Most importantly, it requires individuals who are willing to question beliefs they have always accepted as normal. Progress rarely begins with comfort. It begins with reflection.