Benevolent sexism is a variety of sexism that is, on its surface, positive ("benevolent") toward women.
Examples
- "Women are so good at communication" ([[Essentialism)
- "Women are great at understanding the user, so you should work on the front end" ([[Pigeonholing)
- "Women are too smart to work long hours for little reward" [1]
- "Women are more interested in applications of technology to help people than in theoretical work" (a view expressed in Unlocking the Clubhouse which was later debunked)
- "Women are nicer and more polite than men" (when stated without acknowledgment that women are systematically punished for not being excessively polite and deferential)
Research and further reading
- BS at work: how benevolent sexism undermines women and justifies backlash
- How Nice of Us and How Dumb of Me: The Effect of Exposure to Benevolent Sexism on Women’s Task and Relational Self-Descriptions
[[Category:Issues]]