How can sexism affect people

In the face of this discrimination, doctors who are women are just as capable as doctors who are men. Each patient in the study had undergone one of 25 types of surgery. Learn more about gender bias in medical diagnosis here. Sexism reduces the health and well-being of everyone. If a person experiences discrimination and this damages their health, it has a knock-on effect on their family, friends, and the wider community.

A report notes that gender inequality contributes to unemployment and poverty among women and has adverse effects on child health and development. Indirectly, sexism also harms men. The need to live up to masculine stereotypes can result in men not seeking medical help when they need it, behaving in ways that damage their health, and becoming involved in violence.

The economic cost of this is huge. Everyone has a responsibility to learn about and help end gender discrimination — it directly or indirectly harms everyone. People can learn more from:. The effects of gender discrimination are global. This discrimination harms mental and physical health, leads to poverty, creates and enforces cycles of abuse and violence, and restricts access to healthcare.

Anyone can counter gender discrimination by learning about its causes, manifestations, and effects — and by taking action to stop it. The psychological effects of gender inequality include low self-esteem, negative body image, exposure to chronic stress, and trauma. There are different types of sexism, from hostile and 'benevolent' sexism to institutional, interpersonal, and internalized sexism. Learn more here. Gender bias can cause delays in treatment, misdiagnosis, and even avoidable deaths.

Learn more about gender bias in medical diagnosis. Toxic masculinity is a term often used to describe the negative aspects of exaggerated, 'traditional' masculine traits. Factors such as discrimination and lack of resources can prevent a person from achieving their best health. Health equity is an attempt to address…. Teachers may notice that some young women are quieter in class, that they are hesitant to share their opinions, to express themselves, or to speak out in class, especially in mixed-gender situations.

They may hold back and be reluctant to participate in school activities. Early experiences of sexism and sexist violence may lead to a cycle of violence, as women and girls learn to undervalue themselves and their worth. See Amanda , Miyanda , Fadia , Lin. Sexist beliefs can lead to discrimination. Discrimination is prejudice in action, and it occurs whenever a person or group treats others unfairly based on an aspect of their identity. Discrimination does not have to be obvious or intentional to be damaging.

Smaller acts of discrimination can have a cumulative effect on mental and physical health. These acts are known as microaggressions. One location where gender discrimination occurs is the workplace. Gender discrimination also occurs in healthcare. In a study , more women doctors than men said that their gender had negatively affected their careers, limiting the level of respect that they felt they received. Learn about the effects of gender discrimination on health.

Sexual harassment is sexualized mistreatment. Often, these comments are tinged with aggression. Sexual harassment can take place anywhere, including workplaces, public restrooms, and between friends and family members. Unlike flattery or flirting, which happens between consenting adults, sexual harassment is often one-sided, and it exploits an uneven power dynamic.

This is what makes it threatening. Sexual harassment is also common in workplaces, particularly among women who work for tips, who work in male-dominated fields, or who do not have permanent legal immigration status. Sexual harassment can make people feel uncomfortable, scared, and even traumatized.

Even if a person does not feel physically threatened at the time, it may cause or reinforce a fear of walking alone, wearing certain clothes, or being sexually assaulted. This type of violence occurs in intimate relationships. It is also known as domestic abuse. Anyone can experience intimate partner abuse IPA , but it disproportionately affects women. Gender inequity, sexist beliefs, and cultural practices that devalue women all increase the risk of IPA.

This harmful practice involves removing parts of the female genitals, such as the clitoris and labia. Often, this happens before the person has reached the age of FGM causes significant mental and physical trauma. It also carries a risk of infection, sexual health problems, and fertility problems, as well as birth complications if a person becomes pregnant.

Sexual assault includes any unwanted, coerced, or forced sexual contact. Anyone can experience or commit sexual assault, but most survivors are female. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , 1 in 5 women and 1 in 38 men experience attempted or completed rape during their lifetimes.

Those women aged 16 to 30 who had experienced sexism — including attacks or threats — reported greater psychological distress even four years later, indicating the devastating impact on mental health over time, particularly for young women. The report, which surveyed 16 to 93 year olds including 1, 16 to 30 year olds, combines analysis of a large UK dataset with first-hand experiences and views from young women.