On Twitter’s recent unban list lies a familiar figure: Andrew Tate. He is a famous influencer and “success coach” on social media who is known to be misogynistic towards women, often referring to them as “property” to be ruled by men. Listening to what he has said, it is clear that misogyny is a central issue that transcends cultures and ways of life around the world; from the West to the Philippines. In our country, we can see the fruits of misogyny around us. From the roughly seven thousand rape cases from January to November 2022 to the intense sexual harassment of women, the urgency of addressing misogyny is unmistakable. Ignoring this issue in our fragmenting society cannot be accepted. To start rebuilding, recognizing what has been dividing us is the first step toward social justice.
The main threat of misogyny is how it sparks physical and emotional violence toward women.
It has been proven that male misogynistic beliefs and attitudes underpin many criminal offenses, including stalking, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault. Men believing in and practicing misogyny harms women’s physical and emotional well-being. People exposed to the idea of misogyny are likely to commit domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination against women since it justifies disciplining women. A society that believes in misogyny allows these crimes to happen without proper justice delivered to the perpetrators.
Nevertheless, misogyny is a double-edged sword. It not only harms those who receive harm but also those who inflict it.
Although difficult to digest, devotion to misogyny deteriorates the aggressor’s mental state. The expectations put on men by misogyny, such as dominance over women and being the breadwinner, can break even the strongest. This societal pressure on men to act and behave in a certain way shapes their beliefs and actions. Men can suffer from a condition known as male discrepancy stress, where they may feel anxious about not conforming to societal norms of masculinity. It is based on society’s expectations of a man as a strong-willed and dominant figure.
Although some may say that masculinity can help strengthen the resolve and resilience of men, this is achieved through pressure and forcing them to adopt certain principles that may lead to insecurities and despair. Most benefits of believing in misogyny and masculinity are only short-term for men, such as enhanced concentration and a better self-image. It is unsustainable and not healthy to be a follower of these beliefs for extended periods, especially since this mindset can cause mental health concerns. Although one may be reinvigorated initially, it will slowly fade as pressures and anxiety mount on.
Allowing misogyny to manifest in a society without impeding its development is how it becomes difficult to eradicate later on as it becomes normalized in cultures. As the belief in misogyny strengthens, the belief in equality crumbles.
Movements in gender equality may decline in popularity due to increased belief in toxic masculinity and misogyny. Misogyny creates an environment where speaking your mind is treated with hostility. In addition, misogyny may normalize the inferiority of women in people’s minds.
We must understand that degrading women’s fundamental rights violates human rights and must not be practiced by anyone. Believing in equality and loving our neighbor, we must strive for a society where race and gender do not lead to discrimination or inequality. Misogyny is far beyond a gender issue; it is a societal issue that concerns our day-to-day lives. Confronting and rejecting misogyny must start immediately before its full detriments come to fruition.