Page 198 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

172 gender microaggressions and sexism

“ innate ability ” as a possible explanation for sex differences in test scores. Ironically,
Summers was lecturing to a room of the most accomplished women scholars in engi-
neering and science in the nation.
If Summers truly believes that women are intellectually less capable, he
is certainly not alone in that unspoken belief (Cadinu et al., 2005; Swim &
Stangor, 1998). The belief that women are less talented in mathematics and
logical thinking is a common, albeit less visible, thread that undergirds our
educational system and influences career choices (Swim & Cohen, 1997; Swim,

Hyers, Cohen, & Ferguson, 2001). Women are often perceived as too emotional
to make logical decisions, as not possessing the intestinal fortitude to make

tough decisions, and as having a difficult time being objective. School coun-
selors often discourage female students from entering occupations in mathe-

matics, sciences, or in fields that require leadership, influence, and command.

Rather, they are counseled to accept supporting roles in fields that minimize

decision - making or leadership positions. Female students often report that in
class, boys are called on more frequently by the teacher, even when there are
more girls in the classroom. They report feeling invisible, unimportant, and as
knowing less than their male counterparts (Sue & Capodilupo, 2008).
Further, our patriarchal society emphasizes physical strength as a major
index of power and control. Physical differences between the sexes are a reality;
in general men are bigger, stronger, and run faster than women. Historically,
men became hunters, while women were confined to roles as gatherers of

nuts, fruits, and other food. Men became protectors, defenders, and skilled in
playing active roles, while women were confined to roles such as childrear-

ing, nursing, and the domestic tasks of cooking, washing, and serving. In
our modern times, however, physical strength is often no longer important
in determining the multiplicity of roles in our society. Indeed a case can be
made that women are physically more resilient, are more resistant to ill-
nesses, tolerate pain better, possess greater endurance except in short - term
feats, and have a much longer life span than men. Yet, physical strength
continues to play a large role in determining superiority and inferiority of
the sexes.
5. Restrictive Gender Roles — Many microaggressions directed toward

women relate specifically to the traditional roles they should play, and to

admonitions not to break them. If they do so, they are likely to be viewed
negatively, called names, or punished in one way or another. In one study
(Capodilupo et al., in press), women reported that they received messages
that they should be “ soft and feminine, ” play care - giving roles, “ not use

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