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Sexism can be defined as prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination based on gender, especially against females. Sexism can be a belief that one gender is superior to or more valuable than another. Sexism imposes limits on what people can do based on their gender. 

What is going on in this story? 
“A father and son were driving to a country football game when they were involved in a terrible car crash. The father was airlifted to a major hospital in a critical condition. The son, having less severe injuries, was taken to a local hospital and rushed into the emergency department. A surgeon, upon looking at the boy, said  “I can’t operate on this boy, he is my son”.

‘Little bits of sexism’ are often skipped over. Watch this video about ‘little bits of racism’ and reflect on the similarity with sexism. 

The United States of America often proclaims to be ‘the leader of the free world‘. Ironically, it does not guarantee equal rights for citizens irrespective of gender. An Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution has been defeated on numerous occasions.

Tony Abbott, the Australian Prime Minister from 2013-2015, said “I think it would be folly to expect that women will ever dominate or even approach equal representation in a large number of areas simply because their aptitudes, abilities and interests are different for physiological reasons.”

Julia Gillard, the Australian Prime Minister from 2010-2013, endured much prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination. She delivered the Misogyny Speech in reaction to Tony Abbott accusing her of sexism. 

Perhaps any conversation about sexism is intinsically a conversation about difference. And maybe it just adds fuel to a fire of ‘otherness’ based on race, nationality, religion, politics and gender?! 

Perhaps it is more helpful to talk about a word that is the opposite of sexism. And to talk about creating such a world.