Redefining Women's Voices: The Struggle Against Misogyny
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Chapter 1 The Silence of Women's Voices
In my upbringing, I often heard the dismissive phrase, “Be quiet! Women shouldn't interrupt when men are speaking.” This attitude, which I initially accepted as normal, became even more apparent when I relocated to the United States. While this sentiment was prevalent in Nigeria, it was not as overtly expressed here.
When women attempt to share constructive ideas or solutions, their contributions frequently go unnoticed. For instance, during my time as a data entry specialist in a male-dominated tech environment, my manager disregarded my input regarding a video presentation issue. I found myself repeating my thoughts multiple times, only to be overlooked until a male colleague echoed my suggestions. He received praise for his input, yet he promptly acknowledged that the idea originated from me. This acknowledgment displeased our manager, who seemed uncomfortable with a woman being recognized for her contribution.
My girlfriend, an accomplished aircraft mechanic working on mid-sized private jets, is someone I often consult for advice. During a training session, her senior manager referred to her as "fish brain" after she offered a technical solution to a problem faced by the pilots. I've witnessed similar dismissive treatment of my female coworkers by male clients, with management doing little to defend them, instead blaming the women for the customers' dissatisfaction.
Many men have been socialized to value a man's word over a woman's, especially in traditionally male-dominated discussions. This pervasive attitude infuriates me; being disregarded because of my gender is deeply frustrating. Consequently, I find myself distancing from such individuals.
Misogyny: A Psychological Tool
Misogyny serves as a psychological mechanism to control women, often excluding them from full societal participation. In many scenarios, women are conditioned to accept a subordinate status.
From birth, we receive subtle signals about "masculine" and "feminine" behaviors, which shape our actions and skills. For example, in a hospital, two women gave birth simultaneously—one to a boy named Ahmed and the other to a girl named Maira. When a nurse arrived with the newborns, she presented the boy with approval, emphasizing his loud cries as a sign of vitality. In contrast, Maira's equally loud cries were dismissed as "not very ladylike," marking her first encounter with societal bias.
This narrative raises questions about whether inherent differences between male and female brains contribute to the perception of women as inferior. It has long been claimed that women's brains are smaller, supposedly indicating lower intellectual capacity. While it is true that, on average, women's brains are about 10% smaller, this assumption is flawed. The overlap in brain sizes between genders is significant, meaning some women have larger brains than some men. Notably, Einstein's brain was smaller than average, yet his intelligence was undeniable. Numerous studies indicate minimal differences in intelligence or behavior between genders, but media portrayals continue to perpetuate stereotypes.
The Social Roots of Misogyny
Misogyny is deeply embedded in societal norms. Social media and advertising frequently reinforce rigid definitions of masculinity and femininity. If we accept the notion that men and women possess fundamentally different brains, we risk limiting our self-perception and perceptions of others based on gender.
It's essential to recognize that every individual has a unique brain; a single label like gender cannot encapsulate one’s capabilities. Embracing the diversity of our cognitive differences, independent of gender, is crucial for achieving equality.
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