What is misogyny? Meaning explained – The Sun

MISOGYNY can rear its ugly head in many forms and is based on warped hatred of, and discrimination against, women.

From social exclusion and mansplaining to belittling and violence, misogyny is a sick societal affliction that can result in violence.

What is misogyny?

Misogyny is the dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.

Most dictionaries give the definition of a "hatred" towards women, but modern uses of the word also incorporates prejudice against women.

Sociologist Allan G. Johnson defined misogyny as "a cultural attitude of hatred for females because they are female".

And sociologist Michael Flood said that although "most common in men" misogyny "also exists in and is practiced by women against other women or even themselves".

He said that "women in Western cultures have internalised their role as societal scapegoats, influenced in the twenty-first century by multimedia objectification of women with its culturally sanctioned self-loathing and fixations on plastic surgery, anorexia and bulimia".

What's the definition of a misogynist?

A misogynist is the person who dislikes, despises, or is strongly prejudiced against women.

Synonyms of the word include woman-hater, anti-feminist, male chauvinist, male supremacist, chauvinist and sexist.

Misogynists are often referred to informally as male chauvinist pigs.

Misogynists harbour a hateful prejudice against women and this can manifest itself in many ways.

They may discriminate against women, belittle them in conversation, seek to control their behaviour, objectify them, or be violent towards them.

Their behaviour may be controlling, confident and self-centred, as well as competitive.

Where did misogyny come from?

Misogyny has existed throughout history, and the term itself comes from the Ancient Greek word misogunia.

In Classical Greece, it was noted as a disease.

The term misogyny can be found within several sacred texts of religions, mythologies and Western and Eastern philosophy.

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