Misogyny functions as an ideology or belief system that has accompanied patriarchal or male-dominated societies and continues to place women in subordinate positions with limited access to power and decision making. But thankfully, in present times, it’s not being taken lightly anymore as more and more women and men are willing to step up and challenge this ancient and inherently harmful belief.
But although the term has been all over the media in the past 5 years, its real meaning is still widely confused. Kate Manne, a Cornell philosophy professor and the author of “Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny” argues that misogyny is really not about male hostility or hatred towards women, as it’s commonly assumed. Instead, it’s about controlling and punishing women who challenge male dominance.
In an interview with Vox, Kate explained: “There’s a tendency to define misogyny as this deep hatred in the heart, harbored by men toward girls and women. I define misogyny as social systems or environments where women face hostility and hatred because they’re women in a man's world—a historical patriarchy.”
And what’s really alarming about misogyny is that it is something we practice almost unconsciously. The hostility towards women is something that’s a priori embedded in our culture where people internalize it through social norms and customs. In reality, it’s a trap for anyone born in an already misogyny-fueled society.
According to Kate, such hostile behavior comes from the fact that many people feel attached to the positions they believe are their birthright. “When men think women are taking opportunities and privileges away from them, when they think women are challenging male dominance, you get backlash,” she explained.
As a way of dealing with misogyny in society, Kate believes it all comes down to men in positions of power accepting that women can surpass them without having wronged them. At this point, we are still far from this point, but externalizing our discontent is crucial in making things better, hence every debate, whether IRL or online, is a small step towards an equal, respectful society.
#16 A Common Denominator
