Hostile Sexism
Hostile sexism – a form of sexism expressed through openly negative, distrustful, contemptuous, or aggressive attitudes toward women. It is based on the belief that women seek to control men, gain undeserved advantages, undermine male authority, or challenge the “natural” gender order.
Hostile sexism presents women as manipulative, overly demanding, irrational, morally suspect, sexually dangerous, or hostile toward men. It may include resentment toward women’s demands for equality, rejection of feminism, hostility toward women who enter traditionally male spheres, and the belief that women use sexuality, accusations of discrimination, or claims of victimhood to gain power over men.
Unlike benevolent sexism, which idealizes women who conform to traditional feminine roles, hostile sexism punishes women who challenge these roles. It is especially directed at women perceived as independent, assertive, feminist, sexually autonomous, professionally ambitious, or unwilling to accept male authority.
In the theory of ambivalent sexism developed by Peter Glick and Susan T. Fiske, hostile sexism exists alongside benevolent sexism. Together, these two forms of sexism maintain gender hierarchy: benevolent sexism rewards women who conform to traditional expectations, while hostile sexism disciplines, devalues, or stigmatizes women who resist them.
Reference:
Glick, P., & Fiske, S. T. (1996). The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory: Differentiating hostile and benevolent sexism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(3), 491–512.
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