Internalized sexism

Okay, kiddo, let's talk about something called internalized sexism! Do you know what sexism is? It's when people believe that one gender is better than the other. Such as boys are better than girls and vice versa. Now, internalized sexism is when a person of a particular gender starts to believe in or act according to these sexist beliefs themselves, without anyone else enforcing it upon them.

For example, suppose a girl always hears that boys are better than girls in sports, and she starts to believe it herself. Then she stops participating in sports activities or lets the boys win the game, thinking that she is not as good as them. This is an example of internalized sexism.

Internalized sexism can also occur when someone thinks that their gender's image and behavior should fit particular stereotypes. For instance, boys should always act tough and not cry, or girls should always be pretty and soft-spoken. These are stereotypes, not necessary characteristics that everyone in that gender has to follow.

The problem with internalized sexism is that it can harm people's self-esteem and limit their opportunities due to conforming to societal expectations. So, it's important to be aware of it and challenge these stereotypes when you see them. Remember, it's not about whether you are a boy or girl or whether someone is better than anyone else, what is important is that we treat everyone equally irrespective of their gender.