I think we all know what "misogyny" means. It is a word that has been cropping up quite a lot recently - stemming partly from the vile boasts of the present boorish inhabitant of The White House and from revelations about the seedy private life of film mogul Harvey Weinstein.
misogyny - dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.
Yes. The word "misogyny" is becoming a very current term. A spotlight has been scouring Britain's political institutions where misogyny has been rife in some quarters. It seems that many men in powerful roles have habitually taken advantage of junior females in the Westminster bubble.
It's so wrong. I spent most of my years as a teacher working alongside women. They were my equals as they proved day after day. We were colleagues or what Americans call "co-workers". We were on the same mission and it was important to help and support one another.
However, just occasionally I would come across women who were what my late mother would have called "man haters". Their underlying prejudice towards men would in many ways echo the traits of the worst misogynists.
The other day it occurred to me that nobody ever seems to use the term that parallels "misogyny". Do you know what it is? I will tell you:-
misandry - dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against men.
I had the same experience working with women as you had. There was mutual respect and support. Yes, there are man haters. either I'm not fully aware or there aren't that many man haters.
ReplyDeleteBut they are out there. That's why the word misandry exists.
DeleteActually, I think there is quite a lot of misandry out there. Men can be tried and convicted in a woman's mind before they've even done anything wrong. I think those women think they are being "strong" or "standing up for themselves" but it comes down to having a preconceived idea of what men think or what they are going to do. Unfortunately, some women who call themselves feminists have this attitude instead of understanding what true feminism is, and it gives the word a bad connotation.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize there was a term for it, though. Thanks for the new word!
Some ardent feminists certainly have a nasty attitude towards men, putting them all in the same basket. Liberation should be about enlightenment not misandry.
DeleteMaybe its lack of use is because it is not a well known word. As Jenny commented & my thoughts are the same, it is a word I have not heard used. Maybe the women it might be applied to do not have a high profile, unlike the men to whom the term misogynist is sometimes applied.
ReplyDeleteAlphie
It seems okay to pillory misogynists but even to suggest that there might also be misandrists at large means one is standing on shaky ground.
DeleteI know the word misandry!
ReplyDeleteI think the reason it is not well known is that it is not needed so much as the word misogyny.
I am no man hater but I have been heard to rant about the privilege of men, especially the older, straight conservative mens who have been to exclusive schools and are white.
I don't think that that counts as misandry. In previous communication, you have never sounded misandristic to me.
DeleteI never cease to be amazed. What did the world do before Donald Trump became President, I wonder? People had no one to blame! How on earth did they get by? He seems to be copping it all....left, right and centre.
ReplyDeleteIt's good he has strong, sturdy shoulders.
And, as he admitted himself, an effective grabbing technique.
DeleteI've met plenty of mysogynists in my time but not many (any?) misandrists. The mysogynists only seem to display their vile behaviour when in male company such as with mates in pubs or changing rooms. They're cowards who don't like being challenged by women. Maybe it's the same for misandrists - do they only express hatred for men when in female company?
ReplyDeleteThanks for this thoughtful response Michael. Both misogyny and misandry are subject to subtle disguise or concealment. Having worked closely with hundreds of women I found myself able to detect the presence of misandry. It might be suggested by body language, verbal choices, eye contact issues etc. - subtle signs. Like misogyny, misandry is a form of prejudice towards other human beings.
DeleteI have come across both, and just like jenny_o says, it is the man-haters who give feminism a bad name. I do not feel any less than equal to my co-humans of whatever gender and largely live my life the way I want to (thanks to the freedom I have in this country, choosing where to live, who with and what of) but I would never call myself a feminist.
ReplyDeleteThings are not perfect by a long way but I think that the lot of modern women of means in the western world is far, far better than it would have been just fifty years ago.
DeleteTrump is no mysoganist! You don’t like him. Get over it.
ReplyDeleteMillions see him the same way as I do Terry so get over it yourself!
DeleteAnd millions of others don't see him the same way you do, Yorkie.
DeleteIt is no mater Lee. Trump will be hoisted by his own petard before his term of office is done.
DeleteSo why don’t you leave him alone?
DeleteHe was taped in a conversation saying that he "grab(s) them by the pussy!" If that is not a misogamist, than I don't know what is!! Other than criminal! To me, he is a horrible excuse for a man and husband. And, don't even get me started on his lack of intelligence or other matters.
DeleteThank you for your input Mrs Thyme. The election of Trump seems to have caused polarisation in political thinking. I have noticed that some bloggers, like Terry, are quick to spring to Trump's defence and for the life of me I cannot understand why.
DeleteI don’t Peace Thyme understands what misogyny means.
Delete"Misandry" is a bit uncomfortable because it fails to recognize the power discrepancy between men and women. It's appropriate to speak of misogyny toward women, who still (unfortunately) tend to lack relative power in male-female situations. But it's difficult to speak of misandry when men still have much of the power. Know what I mean?
ReplyDeleteYes I do understand what you mean and thank you for taking the time to reflect on this matter.
DeleteCan't say as I've come across any specific men-haters but I've worked in an office of mostly women and experienced the comments aimed at myself and other men passing through. The odd "you've got a nice bum" and "is it true you're big in a certain area" - even the odd pinch to the bum as you walk past, to much amusement from the other women. The big difference seems to be, is that men don't complain about such sexual harassment, or at least, not in their thousands or even hundreds. Some of the latest female claims go back many years to a time when women used to pack clubs to see tanned and oiled men such as the Chippendales stripping off to a chorus of all kind of saucy comments.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts about this Derek. With regard to sexual harassment, there seems to be a very hazy line between harmless fun and hurtfulness that has the character of bullying.
DeleteI am a feminist through and through. I believe in equal pay for equal work. I believe women can do ANYTHING that men can do except provide sperm. And, I love men. I have been associated with men in one capacity or another since I was in my teens. Men are great. Most of 'em. I was taught and learned on my own to protect myself and stand up for my self. So much so, that when met with an uncomfortable situation, I was strong enough to take care of that situation by my words, by my demeanor and, occasionally, by a slap or punch to the face of said despicable male person. What we as women must do is teach our daughters, and other females in our orbit to be strong and be tough and be true to ourselves as well as to be feminine and nurturing and pleasant and hard working and loving. WE must tell OURSELVES that we are equal to men in every respect and then they will respect us as equals. As I said, I like men and I have loved and continue to love quite a few. And, as old as I am, the occasional complement from one of them does not hurt at all.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's very powerful Donna. I think it is a creed that women everywhere should follow. Not cowering, keeping secrets pr pointing fingers but living with pride, living with belief and self-assurance. I am also a feminist through and through.
DeleteYes, I agree entirely with Donna as well.
DeleteYou’ve admitted that you’re not equal. You’re just a Trump-hater!
DeleteI don't understand your fascination with Donald Trump, Treey. It's just weird. Sorry, but it is.
DeleteI am a feminist through and through.
ReplyDeleteแคมฟรอก