Sexism

The chapter discusses the social construction theory of gender by defining differences between sex and gender, sex roles and gender roles, and gender prejudice, discrimination, sexism, and microaggression. It describes that sexism is constructed by the system to benefit boys and men in the United States and misunderstanding terms or inappropriate use of terms interferes with developing appropriate action plans to dismantle for a particular injustice. The role of unconscious in internalized privilege and oppression, invisibility of privilege, and visibility oppression are discussed as barriers to gender equity and justice. Shifts in thinking (from binary to holistic) and in learning (from conceptual to holistic) are proposed to dismantle gender injustice and inequity. The chapter addresses gender not as an independent identity but as interdependent to a person’s multiple identities and their intersectionality. It also discusses the difficulties of transcending sexism and gender discrimination due to embedded gender myths, systemic gender oppression and internalized gender oppression, gendered beliefs, and the neurobiology of automaticity. Experiential learning activities are provided for readers to connect the concepts to their lived experience to transform.