In everyday interactions, men can unintentionally disrespect women in ways that might seem minor but can have a significant impact. These behaviours often stem from ingrained social norms and unconscious biases. Here are 21 subtle ways men might unknowingly show disrespect to women.
Interrupting Women
“Researchers consistently find that women are interrupted more and that men dominate conversations,” according to The New York Times. It’s all too common in conversations for men to cut women off before they’ve finished speaking. This behaviour, whether done consciously or not, sends a message that what a woman is saying is less important.
Mansplaining
Mansplaining is when a man explains something to a woman in a condescending or patronising manner, assuming she doesn’t understand, and this often happens even when the woman is more knowledgeable about the topic. It can be incredibly frustrating and belittling, undermining women’s expertise and intelligence.
Ignoring Ideas Until A Man Repeats Them
In meetings or group settings, a woman’s idea might be overlooked or dismissed, only to be praised when a man later suggests the same thing. This not only disrespects the woman’s contribution but also erases her efforts and reinforces the notion that men’s voices are more valuable.
Making Assumptions Based on Gender
Assuming a woman won’t be interested in or knowledgeable about certain topics, like sports or technology, based purely on her gender, is another subtle form of disrespect. It limits women to certain roles and interests and ignores their individuality and diverse passions.
Using Pet Names In Professional Settings
If a man is calling women “sweetie,” “honey,” or similar pet names in professional environments, it can be incredibly patronising. While these terms might seem harmless or friendly, they can come across as belittling and unprofessional, undermining a woman’s authority and status in the workplace.
Expecting Women to Handle “Women’s Work”
Even in modern relationships, there’s often an unspoken expectation that women will take care of household chores and childcare. Assuming that these responsibilities naturally fall to women disrespects their time and contributions, reinforcing outdated gender roles, when these days it’s all about an equal effort.
Not Taking “No” for an Answer
Persistently trying to convince a woman to change her mind after she has said “no” to something can be a form of disrespect. It implies that her decisions and boundaries are not valid and that she can be persuaded or worn down, rather than respected.
Minimising Women’s Emotions
Dismissing a woman’s feelings as being overly emotional or irrational is a common way men can disrespect women, and this minimises their experiences and suggests that their emotions are not valid or important., This can be incredibly hurtful and invalidating to say the least.
Taking Credit for Women’s Work
In both professional and personal contexts, men might take credit for ideas or work that women have contributed significantly to. This not only disrespects the woman’s effort and creativity but also deprives her of recognition and opportunities that she has a right to.
Commenting on Appearance Unsolicited
Giving unsolicited comments about a woman’s appearance, whether positive or negative, can be disrespectful, and it reduces women to their looks. It also suggests that their value lies in their physical appearance rather than their skills, intelligence, or their personality.
Talking Over Women
In conversations, men might talk over women, not giving them the space to express their thoughts fully. This behaviour can silence women and make them feel undervalued, reinforcing a power imbalance in the discussion, and making them feel like they don’t want to bother speaking up again.
Assuming Incompetence
Assuming a woman is less competent in certain tasks or fields just because of her gender is a subtle but harmful form of disrespect. It weakens her abilities and can affect her confidence and opportunities for advancement, all because of an incorrect assumption.
Not Giving Credit Where It’s Due
When you’re failing to acknowledge a woman’s contributions or achievements, whether in the workplace or at home, it can be very disrespectful. Everyone deserves recognition for their hard work, and ignoring this can be demoralising and unfair, when both men and women deserve credit where it’s due.
Making Jokes at Women’s Expense
Jokes that belittle women or reinforce negative stereotypes, even if meant in jest, can be deeply disrespectful. They perpetuate harmful norms and can make women feel unwelcome or uncomfortable, and joking about it can actually be even worse because it means you can wriggle out of accountability.
Assuming Women Are Available to Serve
Expecting women to serve or assist just because they are women, such as assuming they will take notes in a meeting or fetch coffee, is a subtle way of reinforcing gender roles and disrespecting their professional status when this is an outdated viewpoint in the workplace.
Patronising Language
If you’re always using overly simplified or patronising language when speaking to women because you believe they won’t understand otherwise, it’s extremely disrespectful. It undermines their intelligence and capability and can be incredibly frustrating for them—and any other women in earshot.
Dismissing Women’s Opinions
Everyone’s opinion is valid, no matter their gender; brushing off or not taking women’s opinions seriously can be a subtle yet significant form of disrespect that men do all the time. Everyone’s perspective deserves to be heard and considered, and dismissing women’s views doesn’t respect their contributions.
Expecting Women to Be Nurturing
Many men also operate under the assumption that women should always be nurturing and caring, whether in professional or personal contexts, which places unfair expectations on them. It overlooks their right to express a full range of human emotions and behaviours.
Inappropriate Touching
Touching women without their explicit consent, even in seemingly harmless ways like a hand on the shoulder, can be deeply disrespectful. It invades personal space and can make women feel uncomfortable and unsafe, even if you didn’t mean it in that way.
Assuming Women Don’t Want Leadership Roles
If you’re readily assuming that women are not interested in or capable of leadership roles, it perpetuates gender stereotypes and limits their opportunities for advancement if they actually do want that promotion. Women, like men, have diverse ambitions and skills and should be encouraged to pursue leadership if they choose.
Not Supporting Women’s Ambitions
And lastly, failing to support—or actively discouraging—women’s ambitions, whether career-related or personal, is another subtle form of disrespect. Everyone deserves to pursue their goals and dreams, and not supporting women in this can be incredibly demoralising for them. Everyone has ambitions, regardless of gender.