The presence of misogyny in every aspect of society has had profound effects on women being negatively impacted by it. Whether it is violence against women, sexist songs denigrating women, or even an overall unequal treatment of women, their mental health is being severely impacted to the point where seeking facilities to assist them has become a necessary thing for their improvement. However, before explaining how misogyny is pretty much a poison that has infiltrated various bodies, this article intends to initially define what it means to live in a misogynistic society and what misogyny really is all about. Furthermore, it talks about the individuals caught in the crossfire of such a society and the mental health impacts women experience.
What is Misogyny?
Misogyny is understood as a “hatred of women” which prompts sexism and discrimination against them. However, misogyny is much more than this. It is more about controlling women, policing them when they do something classified as “wrong”, or even patting them on the back for being “obedient”. Kate Mann, in her book, writes her own definition of what she believes misogyny really means. In fact, she believes that the general woman-hating definition that is originally given to misogyny simplifies it and makes one question its presence, diminishing its political nature.
As she explains, “misogyny ought to be understood as the system that operates within a patriarchal social order to police and enforce the subordination of women and to uphold male dominance.” It becomes clearer that the phenomenon of misogyny works hand in hand with the patriarchy and serves to enhance male dominance while working to tame women. Furthermore, this definition means that only particular women are policed – specifically those who do not conform to particular norms or rules.
Misogyny and its Effects
We see the works of misogyny whenever a woman is battered, sexually or verbally harassed, or even sexually assaulted. We see the works of misogyny whenever men tend to mansplain women. Mansplaining means the notion of talking down to a woman in a condescending way. We see the works of misogyny when women are blamed for their own subjection to various forms of oppression.
These all leave resonating effects on the mental health of women, with one of the most prominent issues being the internalized misogyny and sexism that they begin to believe. This internalization, according to an article by Szymanski et al. (2009), negatively impacts the health because of a woman because she often begins to believe these inhibiting messages that are said about her. Furthermore, she is more likely to face psychological distress due to this.