Misogyny, defined

The last term we chose to define is misogyny. As Michelle Rodino-Colocino stated in the Encyclopedia of Gender in Media, “…misogyny means the hatred, dislike of, or prejudice against women. Misogyny supports patriarchy, systematic male dominance, and female subjugation.” It is a very widespread problem that can be found, in some form, in nearly every culture. Probably the most common form of misogyny in today’s culture is the rampant sexualization of women in all forms of media. Misogyny goes hand in hand with heteronormativity in the sense that boys are taught to believe that women are inferior to them, that it is normal for men to control, look down upon, and use women. This is a cultural problem that is instilled in boys as soon as they start to understand the world. Misogyny is also present in male bonding rituals, when women are used as the example of what not to be like. As stated previously, male bonding rituals often discourage boys from being like girls, which is blatant misogyny. All three of these terms are tightly interwoven into the problem that is heteronormativity among young men. It is a very complex issue, but by looking at it through the lens of these three terms, the problem, and its potential solutions, becomes much clearer.