It happens more often than it should when someone comes up with a sexist joke, comment, or action. It could be anyone from a joking friend, a heedless parent, insensitive partner, an infuriating colleague, or anyone else that we happen to stumble upon in life. There are many ways to deal with sexists, here are a few ways on how to do just that.
Know Your Value.
One of the most important things to do is to know your worth. You are not dumb. You are not a bad driver. You are not an object. You are not owned by anyone. You can think for yourself. You can wear what you decide to wear. You can make decisions. You were not born to cook or clean. You can do anything you out your mind to. You are not any less than anyone else. Value yourself, own yourself, control your own life, and be confident about it.
Turn The Table.
If someone makes a sexist remark about you, turn the table and make a remark about them. It goes both ways, and can be equally funny and annoying. Atleast then you would be making it clear that you are not intimidated a bit by their remark.
Report It.
If you are a student, employee, or just someone that has an “authority figure” that you can go to for help, do that. You can go to the HR or a manager at your work place, or to parents or grandparents at home, to voice your concerns. Find someone that can help you put a stop to the intolerable behavior.
Confront Them.
If someone is being a sexist in their remarks, jokes, or actions, it is highly unlikely that one day they will wake up thinking that they shouldn’t do this anymore and that it is wrong. You should have an honest talk with that person, pointing out their unacceptable behavior and its negative impact. Be honest and sincere about it, try to calmly get your point through.
Don’t Laugh.
In this age there are so many sexist ads and movies that it became somewhat OK to joke about it. Some people have limited personalities and imagination that they repeat those stereotypes in an attempt to fit in or just to be funny. When you are faced with such a situation make it clear that you do not find it funny, not even with a complimentary smile. If you laugh or smile about it then you are giving an “it’s OK” signal that can only make things get worse.
Stand up.
Don’t literally stand up, just stand up for yourself, defend yourself and your gender. Unfortunately many people, mostly women, are not brought up to stand up for themselves. We are not taught how to make someone stop bothering us, how to say no, nor how to defend ourselves, we are only taught how to agree, thank, be polite, kind and genial. We have to learn to stand up for ourselves, defending ourselves without needing someone to come rescue us.
