5 ways to deflect sexism in the workplace when you’re a woman
Kellie Garfield is the author of this particular assignment, Taylor Blount provided the material. Kellie is a UVU senior, perhaps a super senior. Although the state of democracy is in shambles, hope previals.
Kellie wants to recognize Dr. Pepper, for being an incredible teacher he is to every student he has.
Okay, I'm all done with the third-person speak.
Pep, you will forever being the most impacful professor I had during my undergraduate degree. The thought of never taking a class from you again has made me misty-eyed, more than once.
You helped me find my voice. You helped me discover what I'm good at, and what interests me. I love rhetoric and technical writing/communication.
Like you said in our ENGL2010 class, language matters. Remember remember, the 5th of November. V for Vendetta is now my favorite movie because of 2010, well, second to The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
Your love for your craft and profession inspired me. I want to be a teacher like you when I (eventually) grow up.
Thanks for everything, Pep. Catch you on the flip side.
Taylor Blount is a 22-year-old young adult. I have held multiple internships, while maintaining a high grade point average as a full time student. I will soon have a college degree from an accredited state university with a resume filled with previous job and volunteer experience that makes me more than qualified for plenty of jobs.
5 Ways to Deflect Sexism in the Workplace When You’re a Woman
Growing up, I faced many jokes about the clothes I wore or the hairstyle I had. I was teased because I was different than a lot of people, but it never really bothered me. I figured it was a part of life and that people outgrew the small-scale bullying that is gender-based harassment. I have had many jobs over the last five years while in college and never once have I been a victim of a sexist crime. That doesn’t mean it is not real. As a soon-to-be college graduate and as a woman looking to pursue a career, the thought of being harassed for my gender seems rather daunting. I am qualified and hard-working, which would seem to most people that I should earn the same respect as my male coworkers and classmates. But that is not the case. Victims of sexual harassment and sexism are the ones that will tell you how real it is. They will share what it is like to have to pretend to be okay with the way they are treated because it is what women are expected to handle, but not anymore. And these are a few ways women can fight back. You might be thinking that an issue like this is not a major problem and does not deserve much attention. But in reality, the more the issue is ignored, the harder it gets to resolve it and come to a clear conclusion that allows women to see how they deserve to be treated. Here are a few ideas of how people, both men and women (although my list is more meant for women), can fight against sexism.
1. Stand Up for Yourself & Speak Up Against the Sexism
This doesn’t have to be done in a way of publicly shaming your coworkers, and possibly your friends. No, it can be done in the privacy of a break room or a hallway or in a private office. But it needs to be done. If you feel more in the moment and want to call someone out in the moment, in a more public setting, this may make things more awkward in the office but it will definitely send a message to others in the office or workplace. That being said, it does not have to be a chastising sort of confrontation. It can occur with a simple conversation in which you approach them and talk about setting boundaries in the office. This opens the conversation for others that want to speak up that are afraid to. Being able to say what you want and how you feel will establish a better environment for everyone.
2. Don’t Laugh at the Jokes—it Just Feeds into it
Most of my social interactions with boys and even men, sexist jokes are seen as harmless and hilarious. Males of all ages and groups would even walk around wear t- shirts that had sexist jokes on them such as “make me a sandwich woman” or “get back in the kitchen” with a photo of an outline of a woman on the front, none of which are appropriate or help young girls and self-conscious women feel better about themselves. And to not seem like a “stick in the mud” you had to laugh along because if you didn’t, apparently that made you the “bad guy”. Not being able to “take a joke” was worse than making the horrible joke in the first place. With this, I say that people need to get offended by these jokes. People need to show that it is not okay for both young and full-grown men to make such horrible comments toward women. We need to point out that those jokes are ancient and that time has progressed and so have the people. Being the one to get offended by the sexist joke, putting down an entire gender, is not something to be ashamed of. It should be something you wear with dignity and pride
3. Don’t Fall into the Patterns of Putting Men on Pedestals While They Put You Down
It can be very easy to just be submissive and fall into the patterns of the past. We say things such as “Oh I’m too girly to do that” or “That’s a job for a man”. Not only do men put women down, but we do it to ourselves as well. Not seeing that we are just as equal as men is a catalyst for sexist behavior to occur in the office. Allowing yourself to participate in this type of conversation shows offenders that you are okay with seeing yourself as less than equal to men. Another of example of this is when women are treated poorly by the words of the men that are seen as superior. When women in the workplace are treated like errand runners and the office maid, women are being seen as submissive and can easily be mistreated. Women are entitled to the same respect in an office that men are. The lack of respect that women receive is a different story. Women are seen as less authoritative because of past judgements and prejudices. Men use the excuse that women have had to fight for their rights to do so many things so it is hard to remember that we truly are equal. Unfortunately, this happens in more than just the workplace. Women are also seen as weak because some desire to raise a family and have children, requiring them to put a career on hold. If anything, I think it is a brave action to raise a family. Many people feel the pressure to return to work so that they do not lose their jobs because they have to take time off. This is absolutely ridiculous. I think that women should be seen as brave and deserve more respect for choosing to raise a family.
4. Reverse the Roles
I think that reversing the roles is necessary. If a man says something a woman, why should we not want to raise our voices and ask the very question that could stop them in their tracks? “Would you make the comment to me if I was a man?” Asking this question, or any question like it, does not have to be done in a threatening way. It can be done in a casual manner to make it appear non-threatening but it still shows that you are not going to tolerate such language in your office or in your life. If someone uses nicknames to demean you or make any comments towards your appearance, reversing the roles and asking them if they are saying these things to you because you are a woman will make them stop and think about what is being said. In television shows and movies, it seems a lot easier to say this than it actually is. And I understand that. That being said, I do not think that we should halt our efforts. Sexism is oftentimes rooted in in the lack of respect for the other gender. To stop this from happening, you can reverse the roles and make a comment to them, to make the oppressor understand how hurtful words can be. With this, you can also ask the oppressor to repeat themselves so they have to hear what they said again. And then have them explain what they have said. This makes them have to think about what was said and realize that what they are saying is completely inappropriate. Making the oppressor in the office stop and think about the things they have said and then giving them the chance to apologize is a way to change this behavior. Taking their jokes or comments, whether it be about the job you have or they believe you should have, about your body, or appearance, or any other horrible thing that can be said, asking them to stop and think about what they have said by reversing the roles is a great approach to ending sexist actions towards women in the workplace.
5. Take Action and Do what is best for you
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