8 SEXIST LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS

The English language has some common phrases that you might say that have sexist connotations. Let's analyze 8 of them today.

#1: "Wearing the Pants in a Relationship"

This expression implies that one of the parties in a relationship is dominant over the other and it goes back to the idea that men should be the more dominant partner. The origin of this expression of course comes from when women used to wear skirts instead of pants which left them with less movement and thus gave men a scenario for domination.

#2: "Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride"

The moral of this expression is that a person's goal should be getting married, especially when it comes to women. It implies that someone cannot reach their full potential because they are single. According to Grammarist, the expression comes from the superstition that if a woman serves as a bridesmaid in more than two weddings she may never get married. At the end of the day, we need to be aware that marriage isn't for everyone and that everyone is complete on their own and can reach their full potential on their own no matter who they have on their side.

#3: "To Grow a Pair"

The sentence "grow a pair" is short for "grow a pair of balls". When you are telling someone to grow a pair you're asking them to act strong and courageous as if men genitalia defined that. It implies that having testicles makes people more competent and not having them makes people less competent. Women can be as much character and determination as men, and the fact that this expression is still in a lot of people's mouth only discourages this idea day by day.

#4: "One of the Guys"

When women are called "one of the guys" it refers to that they enjoy performing stereotyped masculine activities such as hunting, playing video games, playing sports, etc. This expression, apart from attributing activities, hobbies, and personalities to gender, it also implies that all people who identify as men like to perform such stereotyped masculine activities.

#5: "Boys Will Be Boys"

This expression is saying that no matter what a man does, his actions will be excused simply because of the gender he was assigned at birth. It implies that you can't teach boys to be different or do better which of course is not true. Also, it is saying that boys are unable to control themselves especially when it comes to rage.

#6: "To Man up"

When someone tells you to "man up" he is asking you to be stronger, braver, and less emotional. The American Psychological Association's website states that this expression comes from the thought that masculinity and being manly is super important. this expression insinuates that people of other genders cannot take challenges appropriately without being masculine. Also, it enforces the belief that to be a man one must be tough, and able to face things without being emotional.

#7: "Don't Be a Pussy"

"Don't be a pussy" is slang for "don't be a coward". History tells us continuously that men were the ones who protected women. They didn't get scared, they didn't fear anything, it was women the ones who did. In this manner, this sentence is implying that after generations and generations the situation is held the same, but nowadays it isn't necessarily like that anymore. Women genitalia are being used as a form of fear and cowardy. Again one of the sentences that are only damaging equality within us members of society.

#8: "Sit Like a Lady"

In the past, women tended to wear skirts that didn't allow them to sit with their legs spread because such posture would reveal their "feminine parts" or underwear. On the other hand, men used to sit with their legs spread out. This whole ing became a symbol of femininity and masculinity. The expression implies that women need to be careful about things that men don't even need to think about. Why are we letting sitting posture define their personality?

You can check this article called "12 Everyday Expressions You Didn't Realize Were Sexist" by Elizabeth Yuko posted on Reader's Digest for more information. It talks about specific vocabulary. It is really useful!

Here is a video that quickly covers some of the expressions we have discussed and some others.

Please Let me know what you think about these expressions! Have you caught yourself saying any of those? Do you think this was helpful? Did I make you reconsider anything? (I hope I did!). Let's end up with the sexist language once and for all, this is a great place to start!

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