Introduction
Sexism is a common term that can be described as a belief founded on the idea that one gender is superior. Sexism, therefore, refers to a form of discrimination centered on gender and, in most cases, articulated towards women and girls (Duguet, Looc, and Petit, 2017). Disablism is a word used to describe the discrimination of people with physical impairments, just as racism is used to express discrimination on ethnic grounds. Inequality arises when one behaves in an oppressive or abusive way towards people with disabilities, believing they are inferior. The paper aims to discuss the similarities between sexism and disablism, the long-term outcomes of their experiences, and the people’s responsibility to reduce their societal occurrences.
Similarities Between Sexism and Disablism
Statement sexism cases keep on being witnessed and reported to the media all over the world. Simple statements such as “run like a girl” being told to boys or “boys do not cry” depicts how society perceives females as a weaker gender. It is also evident to the people with disabilities that they are considered more vulnerable because of their challenges and denied chances to prove otherwise. Statements such as “Are you sure?” being told to a person with a disability after remarking that they can do something also show doubts and a perception of weakness.
Implicit sexism has been witnessed in workplaces where women are sidelined or are highly interviewed for job opportunities. Research indicates that male candidates are more likely to be ranked as better candidates in a science faculty than their female counterparts (Spaccatini and Roccato, 2020). Similarly, people with impairments are harassed and judged differently in the job sector compared to those without impairments, for example, being denied from accessing certain areas of buildings or public transport.
Both everyday disablism and implicit sexism have a resemblance in decision-making situations. A married woman is expected to be humble and follow the rules made by her husband in the house. Similarly, a person sitting in a wheelchair will have to take a route decided by the person pushing the chair (Davis, 2016). It is also witnessed that people tend to approach people with impairments as compared to directly coming to them to receive responses.
Long Term Outcome
Long-term exposure to prejudice will lead to eventual stress, depression, and self-denial for some people. When an individual has been born with an impairment and is brought up in an environment filled with discrimination, they will live in rejection. Similarly, sexism is not a good practice to show, both in spoken and in social relations (Russell, 2019). People have different personalities and process rejection and stigma differently. Therefore, prolonged practices that discriminate against others may end up harming them entirely.
Long-term exposure to sexism may increase violence against women. Men who are used to sexism often see women as objects and non-equals. The notion of superiority over women makes men deny women their rights to the extent of abusing them physically (Spaccatini and Roccato, 2020). It will also lead to the complete denial of opportunities to people with impairments as they will always be seen as unworthy and incapable of working out problems.
Sexism in schools will lead to a significant drop in the performance of female students. Having lowered self-esteem, victims of sexism in schools will not fully participate in school activities, and these destructions lead to their failures. Prejudice will also result in anger and fear among the people who are affected. Sexism may also affect the male in trouble because they will fear expressing their emotions for fear of inequality and judgmental sentiments. Disablism could amount to family break-ups and general social disadvantages. Families related to people with impairments will be sidelined in some social activities. Such families may not enter into social associations on equal ground as other families that are not associated with people with impairments. It is necessary to curb the menace, therefore, before it escalates.
Responsibility to Address Everyday Sexism and Disablism
Taking responsibility by tackling unreserved gender-based or disablism prejudices helps reduce such cases. When unfairness against women or people with impairments is observed, one should always self-reflect whether their practices encourage discrimination. Self-reflection begins with asking oneself whether one deserve the privileges and biases. Identifying these biases would increase our awareness of prejudice and help us comprehend how we can change our lives to become all-encompassing and compassionate. Pushing for the implementation of regulations that are against sexism and disablism will rescue the situation. Institutions and public authorities need to amend laws and rules that term discrimination as an offense. Such laws will help regulate the negative implications brought by the vices.
People should be actively campaigning against the vices of sexism and disablism. Public campaigns against the practices of discrimination help to create awareness. Campaigns also ensure that those suffering in silence know that they are not alone and need to join others in getting rid of the discriminating vice (Mallett and Runswick-Cole, 2014). Treating people with impairments as though they are equals and allowing them to make their own decisions is a way of showing that they are not being discriminated against. Adults with impairments remain adults and are worthy of the respect that adults deserve. Respecting the personal space of people with disabilities and their equipment such as wheelchairs and canes is also a way of showing respect for them.
In conclusion, everyday sexism has a lot of similarities with everyday disablism. Long-term experiences with discrimination would negatively impact individuals and society at large, and everyone has a responsibility in trying to eradicate prejudice in the world. With determination and a change of perception towards those who surround us, favoritism will surely end. Hence, everyone needs to embrace inclusivity and empathy so as to win the war against discrimination.
Reference List
Davis, L.J. (2016) ‘Disability, normality and power’, in Davis, L.J. (eds.) The Disability studies reader. London: Routledge.
Duguet, E., Looc, D. and Petit, P. (2017). Hiring discrimination against women: distinguishing taste based discrimination from statistical discrimination. SSRN Electronic Journal.
Mallett, R. and Runswick-Cole, K. (2014) Approaching disability: critical issues & perspectives. Oxon: Routledge.
Russell, M. (2019) Capitalism and disability: essays by Marta Russell. Chicago: Haymarket Books.
Spaccatini, F. and Roccato, M. (2020) the palliative function of sexism: individual sexism buffers the relationship between exposure to workplace sexism and psychological distress. Sexuality & Culture. Web.