A report by experts at Young Women’s Trust shows that those sexually discriminated against are 5 times likelier than those who haven’t been through it to suffer from clinical depression. A database for the report shows women between 16 and 30 as highly likely to experience sexism in higher education institutions, work, and while on public transportation.
The number could get bigger when the true explanation of what entails sexism is known. Heckling someone, refusing them well-deserved opportunities, or compensating them disproportionately based on their gender are some of the definitions accepted of sexual discrimination.
Sexism in Higher Education
An interesting fact on unpopular topics: discrimination in school does not necessarily start at institutions of higher learning. Profiling of international students causes them to lose focus on school work. If it progresses to college and changes faces if ever so slightly, it leads to anxiety among the victims.
Sexism in college manifests in words where professors delegate learning tasks based on gender lines. When one says girls are not expected to study a science course or fails to assign some tasks to one gender, assuming their unfitness without testing them. It could also be a trainer selecting only men for a sport that even women have shown interest in, making it clear they think the one gender is incapable.
How to Deal with Sexism on Campus
The first step towards finding a solution to anything is acknowledging it. When it comes to discrimination of any kind, including sexism, those with higher authority should lead in voicing it. Teachers can address discrimination issues in college essay examples to give students the confidence to come forward about it. Free essay examples on this topic help victims know how to deal with it.
More notable is that both genders – in leadership as well the student body – have to actively and intentionally want to do better as far as sexism on college campuses goes. They should call it out whenever they see it because silence is complacency. This means speaking up about it even when it affects others and not themselves. In ways, everyone should aspire to be the other’s keeper.
Creating awareness also works great because this form of discrimination is so deeply ingrained in some people for them to see it. Defining the term and teaching people the effects of sexism is a great way to get a response. When an institution spreads awareness, it actively starts a conversation that is likely to have an impact on its students beyond their time in school. Students can even adopt wristbands proclaiming their commitment to fighting sexism to remind them what they stand for every day.
How campus sexism affects the mental health of young women
Victims of discrimination, including racial profiling, do not always say it, but they do suffer mentally in more ways than one.
Anxiety
If you are always called out for something that is part of your being and just for being of a different gender, then it starts affecting you eventually. Think of it this way; if a woman came out to report an incidence of sexual harassment while walking to her dorm after dark and the administration says she should have been more cautious, that is sexist. These cases show up quite often where the victim is made to believe they exposed themselves to danger.
The result of this may be gradual or instant. For one, the victim instantly develops anxiety while out in public alone. They may never be able to change this for the rest of their lives, and they may constantly think they brought it upon themselves.
Low Self-esteem
When words are repeated too often, they start to stick and become accepted as the truth. Telling someone they hit like a girl makes them believe that girls are weak while heckling them puts the fear of men in their heads. Some women find it hard to walk across campus alone because they will constantly be cat-called and verbally insulted when they fail to respond to this behavior.
The same is the case when a woman is touched in any without her consent. Most times, the perpetrators of these acts are so bold that they would be daring her to act in defense. More often than not, she walks ways dejected and feeling violated, something that causes low self-esteem.
Poor Performance
When the mind is consumed with ways one is being discriminated against; she is unlikely to focus on her written samples for school work or any sport. She will constantly be on the lookout for her bullies, something that eventually lowers her performance in areas she once excelled.
Baby Steps Make all the Difference
If everyone created an intention to fight this form of discrimination every day, they would change the entire school. After all, habits are formed out of the small daily activities we do. There are several free essay examples on the topic online for those interested in learning more.