The theory of ambivalent sexism distinguishes between hostile sexism (HS) and benevolent sexism (BS) (Glick & Fiske, 1996). Benevolent sexism (BS) includes idealizing and flattering individuals who endorse traditional and conservative female gender roles (“saint” or “slut” ideology) (Glick & Fiske, 1996). It portrays female-identifying people as innocent, pure, caring and nurturing, fragile and in need of protection, or/and beautiful, and therefore as weaker than male genders (Leonard, 2023). Benevolent sexism is more subtle and hence more socially accepted (Mastari, Spruyt, & Siongers, 2019). Leading to policies and behaviors that might limit a person’s agency and ability to make their own life decisions (Leonard, 2023).
Framing & perspectives
Sexism undermines a person’s confidence in themselves and their abilities. Benevolent sexism is expressed in complimenting women as beautiful, morally pure, nurturing, innocent, and caring, therefore implying weakness and the need for protection. This sexist view places female-identifying individuals in stereotypically restricted roles in society (Barreto & Doyle, 2022; Leonard, 2023). BS can be used to legitimate hostility when those who perpetuate it claim not to be sexist and even admire women. It creates a positive image for the perpetrators that subtly reinforces notions of dominance, e.g., a man who restricts his wife, sister, or female lover from doing something to protect them due to their fragile nature (Glick & Hilt, 2000).
Due to its less obvious nature, benevolent sexism is more likely to be endorsed by all genders. For example, exposure to sexualized messages in society leads to the reinforcement of the belief that being sexually attractive is an aspect of femininity. This results—often unconsciously—in individuals adopting benevolent sexism as a form of self-defense. Three sub-dimensions of BS are protective paternalism (females to be loved, cherished, & protected for their “weakness”), complementary gender differentiation (dependency of one gender on another, as romantic objects, partners, caregivers, fosters the notion of one gender having many positive traits that complement those of the other), and heterosexual intimacy (the belief that individuals need partners to be complete with a focus on sexual relationships) (Leonard, 2023; Barreto & Doyle, 2022).
Relevance
While benevolent sexism applies some positive traits to certain female identities, it maintains and strengthens male dominance. This leads to policies and behaviors that limit a person’s agency or the ability of someone to make their own choices. For instance, cis-men who endorsed benevolent sexism were more likely to support policies that limit the freedoms of pregnant people (Salmen & Dhont, 2020). Usually, people who reject traditional gender roles and responsibilities are more likely not only to consider more obvious hostile aspects of sexism but also develop sensitivity to assumptions implicit in benevolent sexism (Barreto & Doyle, 2022).
How to detect benevolent sexism? Red flags for BS can be basing a person’s value on their role as a caregiver, partner, or parent, focusing attention and praise on someone’s appearance rather than their other attributes, believing that individuals should not do things for themselves, such as manage money or drive a car (because of their gender), assuming that a person is a nurse, assistant, or secretary—not a doctor, executive, or manager—based on their gender (Leonard, 2023).
Keywords: Male Dominance, Gender, Prejudice, Discrimination, Patriarchy, Gender Equality, Everyday Sexism
Connected Terms: Hostile Sexism, Internalized Sexism, Microaggressions, Reproductive Rights, Bodily Autonomy, “Toxic” Masculinity, Housewifization
References
Ambivalent sexism. In Dictionary.com. (n.d). Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/ambivalent-sexism
Barreto, M. & Doyle, D.M. (2022). Benevolent and hostile sexism in a shifting global context. Nature Reviews Psychology 2, 98-111 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44159-022-00136-x
Glick, P., & Fiske, S. T. (1996). The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory: Differentiating hostile and benevolent sexism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(3), 491-512. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.70.3.491
Glick, P., & Hilt, L. (2000). Combative children to ambivalent adults: The development of gender prejudice. In T. Eckes & H. Trautner (Eds.), The Developmental Social Psychology of Gender (pp. 243–272). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Leonard, J. (2023). 6 Types of sexism. In Medical News Today. Retrieved December 2024, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-sexism#benevolent
Mastari, L., Spruyt, B., and Siongers, J. (2019). Benevolent and Hostile Sexism in Social Spheres: The Impact of Parents, School and Romance on Belgian Adolescents’ Sexist Attitudes. Front. Sociol. 4:47. doi: 10.3389/fsoc.2019.00047Salmen, A., & Dhont, K. (2021). Hostile and benevolent sexism: The differential roles of human supremacy beliefs, women’s connection to nature, and the dehumanization of women. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 24(7), 1053-1076. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430220920713
