“You hit like a girl.” Yikes. Internalized misogyny is the subconscious projection of sexist gender stereotypes toward women. This has started due to conservative roles that belittle them and has grown into the 21st century to be an environment of shame instead of uplifting when a woman steps outside these gendered norms. 

Almost every women start from a young age learning how to be “ladylike,” such as not being loud or dressing in light colors with dresses/skirts, and anything else would be deemed as improper. Phrases such as “you hit like a girl” or anything compared to women in a derogatory way change how people perceive women in a bad light. Internalized misogyny is affecting women today by preventing them from having equal opportunities to men. This happens because bringing down women reinforces harmful stereotypes about them.

When I was in middle school in P.E.  girls were only able to do track and volleyball while the boys could play any sport they wanted. When I asked the coaches why they said that we get hurt easily and that it’s just “easier”. Soon after some boys would play volleyball with the girls so some girls would play with the boys. I was one of these girls. The girls I played with the boys got called into the office for interfering with them but they didn’t get any penalty. They continued playing with the girls. We couldn’t play with the boys. 

Another experience I have was when I wore a crop top and shorts. It was a hot summer day so it was reasonable to wear something light. My friend then turned to me and said “Why do you have to dress like a slut like I get it you want attention but stop acting like a whore.” I was caught off guard and was questioning why I was getting insulted by my friend about what I wore to be comfortable. My clothes shouldn’t be how I am viewed. `

The main problem with internalized misogyny is that we don’t notice it because people aren’t even aware that they are bringing down women. Although it is mainly targeted towards ourselves (like how you would see some of your clothes as inappropriate), it often times manifests into people projecting on others. 

This misogyny is harder to pick out due to society’s standards already being sexist. It wreaks our community and causes women to be hated. One example is how women are judged on how they are dressed. K-pop idol Bibi got backlash for her “provocative” clothing. She is criticized by the public for implying “showing off your body would get more views” although this is not true and she was just wearing the clothes she likes.

We should be more vocal about speaking on internalized misogyny. Speaking out can help others realize how they could be projecting on others. Although we can’t change our point of view that easily, we should point out the microaggression and sexist comments against women. Some examples of what we should stop would be discriminating against women and comments objectifying us. We shouldn’t demonize being a woman but instead, uplift ourselves.

All of us can help by speaking up, being self-aware, and informing others. We need to address the situation of subconsciously projecting sexist standards onto women and help our society