Introduction
Sexism is usually understood as gender discrimination, as well as several biases and prejudices against female representatives. The most striking examples of the manifestation of these notions are various organizations and industries where labor is needed. In many cases, the sphere of work is the source of the formation and development of aspects related to sexism, misogyny, and, in some way, patriarchy. These aspects include the gender wage gap, harassment, and the division of professions and responsibilities of people into “male” and “female.” However, no matter how legislators struggle for equality since prejudices and false judgments manifest themselves at work regardless of the region, city, and country. Sexism in the workplace is one of the most significant and topical problems of the modern world.
Explanation of the Social Problem Through Social Learning Theory
Sexism is discrimination, a direct consequence of patriarchy, and in some way, a relic of the past. Even though sexism has deep roots in the distant past, its manifestation can still be seen in the modern world and remains the background of most people’s lives. This type of discrimination exists not only in everyday realities but also within the framework of labor rights and obligations. Hence, the most obvious example of labor discrimination manifests itself in hiring, career advancement, and the difference in wages (Karami et al., 2019). Stereotypes and biased attitudes can arise both among colleagues and superiors, and sometimes these judgments cannot be avoided because of certain ingrained aspects.
This social issue can be explained with the help of several theories, opinions, and views on the situation. Discrimination against women in the workplace is associated with several reasons. However, Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory is one of the best ways to uncover the problem of sexism and misogyny in the workplace in various organizations and enterprises. For instance, according to Bandura (2017), a person’s personality is formed under the influence of observed images and phenomena using modeling, observation, and imitation methods. Consequently, certain views, opinions, and judgments about a particular person, group of people, or society are created at the expense of experience and knowledge laid down at the initial stages. There is a considerable probability that a negative attitude towards women is based on certain prerequisites.
Thus, the initial premise of sexism lies in gender stereotypes, which contain the characteristics of an “ordinary man” and an “ordinary woman.” Most often, people prescribe rules and norms of gender behavior and requirements for appearance. Despite this, each state, culture, and mentality of certain peoples have ideas about the character traits and norms of behavior of representatives of a particular gender. Therefore, “male” and “female” qualities are represented in them to varying degrees.
Sexism is formed by attitudes and behaviors through which the dominance of one gender group over another is asserted. It is individual biased attitudes and discriminatory behavior towards representatives of one or another gender. Furthermore, from the point of view of the theory, such a set of prejudices in a person is formed under the influence of parents, peers, and the media (Joseph, 2019). An individual bases behavior and gender identity from an early age (Joseph, 2019). For example, the model laid down in the family is perceived by a person as the norm, at best until reaching adulthood, and sometimes even for life. People copy the same and not always the most pleasant scenarios for generations. Often, parents exert such a negative influence on children in a more or less aggressive manner.
Moreover, society and media also play an equally important role in developing certain views, especially in countries with conservative estimates. For instance, Bandura’s theory also confirms an equally important fact regarding the phenomenon that the media “rewards” the viewer for viewing content related to violence and cruelty to women by men (Joseph, 2019). These scenes, as a rule, are revealed in a somewhat embellished form and often carry an incorrect message, including to the younger generation.
In brief, the environment, several external factors, and phenomena are the main source of bias, resulting in the formation and manifestation of sexist tendencies in workplaces. However, along with social factors, the influence of which on gender behavior and the psyche is undoubtedly strongly influenced by biological factors too. Consequently, sexism can also be associated with essentialism – the idea that biological gender determines peoples’ essential characteristics. Albert Bandura and his famous theory attempted to explain this situation and “put everything in its place.” Nevertheless, the issue of what exactly and in reality are the important prerequisites for sexism in society remains open.
Intervention in the Issue
In order to correctly simulate the situation, it is necessary to conduct a more specific example. So, if one of the company’s employees approached me, where signs of sexism are manifested, then I would do the following with this client. First of all, it is necessary to start small; no one should strive to change society’s opinions, views, and worldview. For instance, an employee should not agree with double standards and all sorts of prejudices. In the case of such a misunderstanding, it is necessary to delve into the essence of the issue, clarify the details, and find a solution. One should not forget about the limits and boundaries – an inappropriate comment or an unsuccessful act will affect the team’s attitude toward the employee and the collective dynamics. In addition, a client should look at other women and try to find allies on a common problem – communication with other women gives some support and confidence. Hence, the above aspects are among the most basic and basic ways to mitigate the situation, but they are not dominant.
There are many other ways to correct an existing problem and take special measures. For example, as a social worker, I can apply psychiatric, or in other world, mental health therapy in this case, and, accordingly, my role in this regard will be defined as a psychotherapist. I would try to influence a client with the help of positive approaches to accepting a client’s identity and the resilience of a woman at all. In addition, I would use both local methods and community resources to achieve specific healing goals.
This methodology correlates with personality-oriented and participant-directed approaches in the following way. Primarily, this therapy is associated with a person-centered approach because it takes place in a conversation format in which the leading role is assigned to a client. However, this approach can also be attributed to the participants-direct approach because therapy considers the problem not only in the context of a single person but also the environment and the group affecting the individual.
Literature and Therapies Related to the Issue
To date, there is a lot of scientific research, information, and data about this pressing social issue. Hence, the existing literature helps support my ideas and assumptions about the problem of sexism in the workplace. For example, theoretical perspectives such as structural functionalism, conflict, and feminist theory, and symbolic interactionism are closely related to the problem (OpenStax CNX, 2017). Each of them has its methods, strategies, and approaches to presenting factual data on behavior towards women and the role of gender in general.
In addition, along with the theoretical foundations, many specialists focus on some therapies to explain the problem and intervene in it. For instance, psychiatric, feminist, and nonsexist therapies are engaged in eliminating sexism in the workplace. Anyway, psychiatric therapy is often used in practice for a comprehensive and in-depth study of this problem. Thus, this type of counseling and assistance is a universal way of influencing the psyche and the human body. It helps to establish the interaction of the individual with his environment and surroundings. Specifically, this therapy is applicable in the context of the internal working atmosphere and the surrounding team, personnel.
Undoubtedly, each theory has its own positive and negative sides. For example, Social Learning Theory and similar concepts that address the problem of sexism in the workplace have the following advantages and disadvantages. Thus, the theory of learning tends to strictly test hypotheses, control additional variables. It uses a pragmatic approach to therapy and recognizes the role of situational variables and environmental parameters. However, this theory is based on reductionism, does not give stable results, and has a large gap between theory and practice.
At the same time, structural functionalism is a general, universal theory suitable for describing and analyzing any living system and human society. Its disadvantages include underestimating conflicts, lack of development of the concept, limitations to some practical aspects. On the contrary, conflict theory explores the most important factor of social development – conflict. Its disadvantages include the irrelevance of argumentation and facts, limitations, and a radically critical nature. Feminist theory is already more specifically related to the problem of inequality and sexism. However, this concept focuses on specific details and may not pay attention to other equally important elements.
On the other hand, the advantage of symbolic interactionism is the “introduction” of people into the panorama of sociological research. It directs attention to the activities of individuals in their daily lives and sees people not as robots but as leading a social lifestyle of beings endowed with the ability to think. However, the approach of symbolic interactionism has its weaknesses – for instance, in everyday life, people do not have complete freedom in shaping their actions. In addition, these perspectives are also partly consistent with philosophies focused on an individual or a group of people. For example, symbolic interactionism and structural functionalism are more aimed at several people and society as a whole. At the same time, feminist theory and conflict theory consider both the situations of an individual and several individuals at once.
Conclusion
Sexism in the workplace is often an invisible and unspoken phenomenon that is often overlooked. Manifestations of sexism occur at all stages of a career, starting with hiring and ending with aspects related to promotions or salary increases. This social issue can accompany even the most talented and capable woman in the working environment due to genetic and biological factors. Hence, several theories and therapies are applied to solve this problem. For instance, one of the most significant concepts in solving the problem is the Theory of Social Learning by Albert Bandura, and human therapy in this vein is psychiatric therapy. Nevertheless, modern science is not limited to these theoretical and practical methods, strategies, tactics, and approaches but is periodically supplemented and updated with new ideas. Therefore, to solve such a significant social problem, a more comprehensive approach is needed, as well as the effort of every caring person.
References
Bandura, A. (2017). Social learning theory of aggression. In J.F. Knutson (Ed.), The control of aggression (pp. 201-252). Routledge.
Joseph, B. (2019). Psychosocial perspectives of sexual violence by men on women and social work implications: A review. Educere – BCM Journal of Social Work, 15(2), 177-192. Web.
Hjerm, M., Eger, M. A., & Danell, R. (2018). Peer attitudes and the development of prejudice in adolescence. Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World, 4, 1-11. Web.
Karami, A., Swan, S. C., White, C. N., & Ford, K. (2019). Hidden in plain sight for too long: Using text mining techniques to shine a light on workplace sexism and sexual harassment. Psychology of Violence. Web.
OpenStax CNX. (2017). Introduction to sociology (2nd ed.). 12th Media Services.