Sexism-Patriarchy

Sexism by definition is discrimination by members of one sex
against the other, especially by men against women, based on the
assumption that one sex is superior. It regards women as
inherently inferior intellectually, psychologically, and
physically to man. This view is shared by both men and women unfortunately,
and has historically shaped institutions of world society. It
has been continued through the cultural modification of groups of
people through prolonged and continuous interaction involving
intercultural exchange of generations of children with resulting
differences between the sexes.

On-job sexual discrimination such as low-level work
experience caused by traditional sexist viewpoints has hindered
a lot of female job promotion. Women with the same
qualifications as a man that applied for a job would be turned
down based on the simple fact that they are a woman. Prior to
the Women's movement women were constantly discriminated against
in this manner. Sexual discrimination still exists but its
occurrence has drastically reduced. Subtle discrimination is
however, still quite prevalent in our society.

Salary is one aspect of this still present discrimination. A vast majority of
women employed in the work force today receive less of a paycheck
for the same amount of hours worked on the same jobs as men.
This is reinforced by the low number of women who have a high
paying, high powered job. There are a significantly higher
number of women who have little or no power in decision making
and earn a low salary. The women that do get promoted are often
the subjects of rumor and remarks made in poor taste. Men just
can't stand to see their egos shattered, and so they lash out
against the woman with authority. They demean her position and
make it seem less important or trivial. All of this does hurt
female self-esteem and is just one of the ways sexism hurts
women.

Women are not just harassed verbally but physically.
As in the movie Flashdance, the male employer comes on to the
female employee. In lawsuits, such "coming on" is considered
sexual harassment; by definition it is considered a misuse of his power.

When she resists and he persists, as in both the movie
and the Harlequin formula, it is an even clearer form of sexual
harassment." In many cases if a woman does not give in to a
man's sexual advances she stands the chance of losing her job!
This was the tendency and in many instances still is the tendency
of many men who have authority over women. Sexism runs rampant
in every facet of our society.