Sexism Between the Male and the Female Gender: An Exposition of Who the Oppressor Is


Abstract

             Sexism is a central issue that engages the attention of many living within the shore of Nigeria and beyond. There is apparently intractable disagreement about which individuals, practices and institutions are sexist. The question of who is oppressing who or who is really the oppressor cannot be overemphasized.

            This paper attempts to critique the allege subjugation of women by men. The feminists assume that the subjugation of women and the suffering of women are as a result of the patriarchal society, and therefore advocate an egalitarian society whereby both the male and the female gender have equal rights and opportunities. This paper argues that feminists’ approach to sexism is one-way traffic. Patriarchy is arguably alleged as the number one enemy of women’s development in many societies. Giving this to be true for the sake of argument, can matriarchy be an alternative to patriarchy? Will the problems faced by women go if they are allowed to take the place of men in their society? Finally, who is really oppressing who? This paper proposes one of the ways by which we can have a balanced feminist approach to sexism which none or few feminists have sufficiently articulated.

Keywords: Gender, Sexism, Patriarchy, and Feminism