The concept of "male chauvinism" is commonly used in everyday life to denote the unfair attitude of men to women. Many women argue that because of the biased attitude of men to their abilities, they cannot make a career or achieve a high level of earnings. So is it or not? In order to answer this question, we will consider the concept of chauvinism, including men's, and try to figure out whether the degradation of women's rights really takes place in modern society.
Chauvinism: meaning of the word
According to dictionaries, chauvinism is defined as ideology, based on the assertion of the superiority of one nation over others in order to justify discrimination against other peoples.
The name of this phenomenon comes from the name of the soldier Napoleon Bonaparte - Nicolas Chauvin. According to legend, this soldier remained loyal to Napoleon even after his overthrow and was ready to fight with any people on the side of the emperor.
Gender chauvinism, also called sexism, is defined as a worldview in which the unequal rights of men and women are affirmed.
This is manifested in the fact that hard sex roles are assigned to each gender , to which men and women supposedly must correspond.
For example, there is a stereotype that a woman should be weak and a man strong. When acquaintance and building relationships, a man is given an active role, and a woman should only expect how events will turn out. In addition, it is believed that women's wages are 10% less than men's wages under equal conditions and responsibilities.
The manifestation of sexism is sometimes even attributed to the fact that women are not subject to such punishments as the death penalty or life imprisonment. Also, many gender equality fighters are outraged that women retire earlier than men, despite having a longer average life expectancy.
From such facts, we can conclude that gender inequality is universally emphasized. Men can feel infringed in their rights no less than women.
Male chauvinism in modern society
The stereotypes mentioned above with regard to male and female behavior are merely patterns enshrined in culture. Traditions, worldviews and goals, as well as ways to achieve them, are changing. If at the beginning of the last century strict standards completely determined the behavior of both sexes, then in modern Russian society people have received much more freedom in their manifestations. Already no one is shocked by a girl who, along with men (and sometimes more successfully than them), makes a career in the oil and gas industry or similar complex industry.
Many women abandon family values in favor of scientific research or the promotion of new ideas. Not always the fair sex is on the sidelines, following the male leader.
Against this background, male chauvinism, or treating a woman as a "second-class being," is gradually fading into the background.
Of course, there are still men who claim that a lady cannot be a good leader, but such comments can only cause a smile. There are many examples that a woman can make a brilliant career and become the head of a large enterprise. So, the general director of one of the largest airlines in the country is a woman, and most of the employees of this giant enterprise treat her with genuine respect.
In a competition with women, men begin to feel left out and disadvantaged. Many really can not find their place in society, faced with female superiority. Isn't this the reason for the so-called male chauvinism? Trying to somehow establish themselves among active ladies in high posts, some representatives of the stronger sex take their souls with the help of impartial statements addressed to them. But is it worth paying attention to this?
An important problem is that both men and women dream of an easy and happy life, which is possible only if a person is in harmony with himself. Whether full equality of people will make them happier, or whether they will become more successful through this, is the main question. And other conversations about who is more important: men or women, simply do not deserve attention.
People living in an environment of gender equality often seek to return to traditional values when a woman is the keeper of the hearth and the man is the protector and earner. Is it correct? Everyone answers this question independently, since in the modern world there is an opportunity for self-realization in any of the directions.
And the women who are offended by “male chauvinism”, in other words, the unflattering statements of men addressed to them, would like to be advised to believe in themselves and their abilities. And then other people's opinions will not prevent you from making a career, as well as achieving everything you dream about.