Difference between sexism and misogyny?

[notanumber]

I posted Bidisha's The Subtle Art of Misogyny article on my FB.

A male friend commented saying that he thought it was interesting, but what she was discussing is sexism rather than misogyny because 'misogyny' implies a conscious hate and he doesn't think that is the case.

Any thoughts?

I thought this article was good. The writer talks of how hate seemed such a strong word to describe some sexist behaviour, yet after having read more realised that hatred of real women drives this behaviour. She puts it much better..

"So what a misogynist truly loves is the shallow image of women that exists only in one?s mind and is illustrated in society in such things as pornography or mainstream media that espouses that ideal. The hatred is directed at real women, for not living up to a misogynist?s expectations of women being easy to control and for not providing adequate stimulation for men?s interest."

Actually, having re-read the Bidisha article, I think your friend is just trying to split hairs to avoid the points being made. I'd question him back and ask why he didn't engage with the issues being raised.

or you could just ignore him. (that's what I usually do on facebook)

I've had to observe perps. before of domestic violence etc in session who are real mysongonist's and what strikes me is the feeling of entititlement, they have the RIGHT to harm/degrade women because either they feel they have been hurt them and are so distorted that ALL women are the same, or largely upbringing.

Sexists can be fairly harmless, they are more likeyl to have views instilled by upbringing but are no where near as hostile or aggressive. more likey to objectify then want to hurt, coz they genuinely feel it is harmless and just words.
Mysoginists feel they need to control,opress women to insure their authority is not challenged, Sexist are satisfied with plenty of boobage, in summary.

I'm not defending sexism but there is a difference unfortanately sexism can lead to Mis. which is why it needs to be stopped.

I'm anticipating flamage, just put my 2 cents in bacuase I had to do stuff like this on my course, it obviously generalised on ex.

I tend to agree that misogyny is more extreme than sexism, or maybe you could say it's the conscious, deliberate form of sexism.

For example the crimes of the Yorkshire Ripper might be explained by his 'misogyny'. But to say he did it because he was a 'sexist' would sound a bit strange.

I agree I think most people has a few little sexist views that have been formed within us, some are more harmful than others.

Mysoginy tries to use these views to try and justify abuse if that makes nay sense

your example is good David.

By the way I'm not trying to belittle Bidisha's examples of sexism, which are disgusting and depressing enough regardless of whether you call them misogyny

I think you summarise it quite well,

I'm wating for my version to be torn to pieces, lol

Sexism is just the thin end of the wedge. The outward frivolous face of misogyny. If you seriously challenge a 'harmlessly' sexist man he will get defensive and then angry, and it won't take long before you get some nasty stuff come back at you. Not to mention that 'sexism' can act as a kind of 5th column - opening doors, not swearing in front of 'ladies' and the like, that some women appreciate and think as being good manners.

My take on it is that:

misogyny equals sexism plus hatred plus blame.

A simplified example:

sexism : "women can't park cars properly".

misogyny : "women can't park cars properly because they are evil, controlling, hypocritical, dirty and inferior. Just like that woman who dared to steal my parking place ten years ago."

Misogynists believe :

• women as a group have it easier than men as a group (despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary).
• women are the cause of all men's problems.
• women have no purpose other than to be a burden or punishment for men.
• if feminists didn't exist, life would be perfect.

Misogyny really got going in Ancient Greek times fuelled largely by the writings of "giants" of philosophy such as Plato and Aristotle.