First of all let me start by stating the obvious: every male benefits immensely from sexism. Even men who aren't sexist still inherently benefit from sexism due to the patriarchal society we live in. However, there is the lesser talked part of misogyny, that sexism hurts men too. Even if men will never have to fight for equal pay, the opportunity to attend school, or just simply to have their voices heard, the effects their own actions and thoughts have on their own health is still an issue.
1. Stigma against perceived weakness
Masculinity, as defined by Dictionary.com, is having qualities traditionally ascribed to men, as strength and boldness. From birth, men are already taught to be the strong one, and the protector. Their standard for physical strength is raised compared to women. Albeit logical, the constant emphasis on being the stronger sex often leads to a perceived weakness in men who can't outperform women. Men are not allowed to be weak, and this leads them to believe that they must constantly assert their own powers and remain dominant.
2. Repression of emotions
The constant pressure to be strong is not just on a physical level, the pressure also has emotional repercussions. Boys and girls are raised differently. Girls are taught that it's okay for them to cry. Boys are taught that they're girly if they cry. This makes it extremely difficult for men to process and talk about their emotions, starting from a very young age. This can eventually lead to complications in future relationships they have.
3. Dehumanization
Boys are often perceived to have a nearly animal instinct, and lack of self-control. The "boys will be boys" logic is a highly flawed one that suggests that boys cannot contain their urges, and therefore shouldn't have to pay repercussions for their own actions. This thought is what reinforces rape culture in our society. It suggests that men are so weak when it comes to controlling their urges, that they simply cannot be blamed for anything they do to a woman. It's dehumanizing. Note that it's also very ironic that they're only allowed to be weak when it comes to saving themselves from serious repercussions they have to face.
4. Lower self-standard
Mediocre men are more likely to get praised for mediocre work, while exceptional women will still struggle with coming up short. It is so much harder for a woman to get recognized than it will ever be for a man. This election has been a prime example. A woman with years of experience in the field of politics was beat by a grossly under-qualified man. This is not an uncommon sight in our patriarchal world. The bar for men is set so low that it's practically on the ground. With that being said, with the world already made for them, men will have lesser motivation to be the best they can be. The "boys will be boys" logic also teaches boys to lower their own moral standards for themselves.
In conclusion, sexism and misogyny are hurting all of us. (Some of us more than others).
We can't undo the centuries of systemic sexism that's been built into our society overnight. But we can start by educating ourselves on these issues. We can start by raising our boys and girls the same way.
