What is Misogyny?

The use of the word misogyny increased significantly along with second-wave feminism to describe “a deep, ingrained prejudice against women [that] informs aspects of society from legislation to cohabitation”. But it is so much more than that. Misogyny manifests in many ways in our society, often violently, and continues to put women in a dangerous position where they are more vulnerable to violence by men. It also restricts opportunities for social mobility and other factors that are out of women’s control.

Something that makes misogyny dangerous and so difficult to address is its constantly changing nature and its ability to adapt to the socioeconomic conditions of the world. It is something that is ingrained in the very fabric of our society and in our everyday interactions with the people around us.  

Currently, we are witnessing an increasing demand for a return to traditional gender roles. One of the key reasons often cited by these traditionalists are the economic conditions of the world that we live in today. As it is difficult to find childcare because of the rising prices, the responsibility disproportionately falls to women to take care of the home. Even if this is dependent on a women’s choice, a return to tradition is dangerous because it puts women in a position where they are financially dependent on men. They are more vulnerable to misogyny through domestic violence because they don’t have the choice to leave the relationship or lack healthy spaces to protect themselves from these instances of abuse.

How has misogyny continued to change after Trump was officially elected US President in 2025? We have witnessed a rise in rhetoric such as “Your Body, My Choice” coined by white supremacist and Holocaust-denier Nick Fuentes. Even though it is uncertain whether he was serious with these claims, they still reflect a broader trend of increasing bigotry on social media platforms and how they have gained traction and legitimacy as a result.

Misogyny is something that we must care about because it reflects the way that men view the world around them. This violence is a result of men not being allowed to express their emotions because of the gender roles that we impose on them, leading them to resort to anger. It is also a result of capitalism and how money is intricately linked to our own values and self-worth in society.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/style/misogyny-women-history-photographs.html

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-misogyny-5076055

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgeF4aSlvO0

https://www.vox.com/politics/384792/your-body-my-choice-maga-gender-election