Misogyny plays a complex role in patriarchy. Misogyny is especially powerful in encouraging women to hate the fact of being women. (Johnson 2014, 60). Although, what is internalized misogyny? Internalized misogyny is a term that describes women’s sexist behavior and attitude towards other women and girls and towards themselves.

Internalized misogyny occurs in societies with unhealthy patriarchal cultures. A community where indirectly provides stereotypes and abstract standards for women. Women are often considered weak, overly emotionally, manipulative, passive, stupid, and have no intellectual pursuits or leadership capacity. How society and how men evaluate women sequentially affect their self-esteem causes a feeling of inferiority and insecurity. The same lies, stereotypes, and myths about women are subconsciously delivered and projected by women to degrade other women and even degrade themselves. Women are taught to act out the lies and stereotypes, doubting themselves and other females.

Society often tears down and attacks women, normalizing hatred towards strong or successful women, particularly women who don’t fit the mold for femininity. The community we grew up in contributed to internalizing misogyny. We were convinced to see each other as a competition instead of companions within the family, community, institution, the media, or social media. We have been engaged in sexism and gender stereotypes since the start. Perversely, many people out there remain despising women because of their immaturity or self-esteem issues.

It can be challenging to identify internalized misogyny. Various women may unintentionally engage in internalized misogyny. It is essential to be conscious of the signs of Internalized Misogyny so you can circumvent them. Here are general forms that demonstrate Internalized Misogyny:

1. Phrases like ‘I’m Not Like Other Girls,’ ‘I Would Rather Hang Out with Boys Than Girls – Girls Are So Much Drama!” Unlike Other Women, I Have Morals’ and ‘Real Women _______.’
2. Slut-shaming and victim-blaming. Justifying acts of misogyny or abuse against yourself or other women.
3. Body Shaming, negative comments about the physical appearance of oneself and other women 
4. Seeing other women as rivals/enemies in social and work environments to obtain men’s attention and approval.
5. Dispiriting other women from achieving their goals and fulfilling their more tremendous potential.
6. Building a double standard that prioritizes men above women in the family or other social circumstances.

Instead of abusing and disparaging each other, we should appreciate each other’s personalities and uniqueness. Together, let’s try to eliminate these complex forms of internalized misogyny head-on.

“ While internalised misogyny is pretty much the antithesis of feminism, it is, unfortunately, an obstacle that most feminists have to grapple with, due to the inherently patriarchal structure of our world. Women are socialised to believe that if we observe the rules of the patriarchy, its spaces will be kinder to us, or that we will be cared for. “

Feminism India