Why Women Excel and Still Suffer: The Hidden Dangers of Misogyny
Posted by Improving Lives Counseling Services, Inc. | Mental Health
“Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness
will we discover the infinite power of our light.”
This powerful quote by Brené Brown is preceded by “embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love, and belonging, and joy – the experiences that make us the most vulnerable.”
The dictionary’s definition — “The quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed either physically or emotionally” — is far more forbidding than Brené Brown’s quote. For the hundreds of men, women, and children who experience being attacked or harmed every year, the dictionary’s definition is far more relatable. The diverse group of highly trained, professional counselors, therapists, and clinicians at Improving Lives Counseling Services’ Inc., establish rapport and create a secure, trusting environment that enables the exploration of vulnerabilities, emotions, and experiences, fostering a therapeutic space that promotes self-awareness and personal growth.
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
Vulnerable populations include children, individuals with disabilities, the homeless, those with chronic health conditions, people experiencing mental illness or cognitive impairments, minorities, disenfranchised groups, LGBTQ+ individuals, those facing economic hardships, and, most notably, women. Recent reports show that within 24 hours following the presidential election, there was a 4,600% rise in online misogynistic comments against women, including: “your body, my choice” and “get back in the kitchen.”
Statistics show 56% of young men voted for the male candidate, giving him more votes by young men than any male candidate (within his party) had received in two decades. Researchers suggest the concentration of women on “their bodies, their voice” and the opposing candidate being a woman drove Gen X, Gen Z, and millennial men from all demographics to vote for the male candidate.
The National Organization For Women (NOW) suggest, “Sexism, Misogyny, Racism and Hate” won the election, yet voter exit surveys, pundits, and town hall contributors report prices, drugs, and immigration influenced the male vote. No one knows for certain what inspires a person’s vote. What is known is an increase in misogyny, in person (violently) and online is happening worldwide.
VULNERALBILITY – INTERNALIZED MISOGYNY
Internalized misogyny refers to individuals adopting and acting on societal beliefs, environmental pressures, social media, and gender norms that devalue women. This can lead to vulnerability in areas of self-esteem, relationships, and overall well-being. When women internalize these beliefs, they may exhibit self-doubt, self-hatred, and negative perceptions of themselves and other women. This internalized misogyny coupled with ingrained vulnerabilities has led to a high prevalence of physical and mental abuse of women by male teens, adolescents, and 18-24-year-old males.
Vulnerable Despite Exceling – Women
Due to female vulnerabilities, women unknowingly apply sexist attitudes toward themselves and other women despite women outnumbering men in college enrollment and graduations rates (as of March 2024, there were 2.4 million more female than male undergraduates on U.S. campuses), exceling in memory and cognitive function, in empathy and emotional intelligence, in social and collaborative skills, creativity, leadership, multitasking, altruism, caregiving, organization, and in communication skills. Women also are more intuitive and have a longer life-span than men. So why are they still vulnerable to discrimination, societal pressures, and violence? Some suggest it is related to:
- Adverse childhood experiences
- Dysfunctional home life
- Pre-existing vulnerabilities for intimate partner violence
- Sexual, emotional, psychological abuse (a victim of or exposure to)
- Revictimization
- Socioeconomic inequalities (access to resources)
- Systemic discrimination
- Racial / cultural / religious norms
- Poverty
- Lower incomes
- Economic dependency
- Lack of access to physical and/or mental health care
Gender discrimination has direct effects on the deterioration of women’s health through the humiliation of women, violence against women, and objectifying women sexually.
MALE MYSOGNISTS
Why would an increase of more than 4,600% of misogynistic comments made by men respond to an election result with phrases like “Your body, my choice” and “Get back to the kitchen”? Researchers, psychologists, and women’s organizations view this as a direct attack on women, who have long fought for their rights. It is seen as a challenge to the progress made by the #MeToo movement and the significant strides women have made over the past 10-15 years. Reporters and pundits attribute this surge in hostile rhetoric to the “D” in DEI, which includes the rights of women, girls, and those within the LGBTQ+ community. This rise in partisan violence and aggression is believed to fuel hate, potentially escalating domestic violence. The high prevalence of women reporting physical and mental health problems, has led experts to classify this as a public health issue that requires prevention efforts starting in adolescence.
- Male perpetrators suffering mental health conditions, especially those that are pre-existing, heighten the risk of partner violence. This, combined with current stressors, may lead to continuous physical and psychological harm against women.
- Male perpetrators of domestic violence are often young, troubled, unemployed, and have low self-esteem. They may have observed or experienced abuse themselves.
- Males are more likely to engage in alcohol, drug, and substance abuse to quell dysfunction, intimacy, health, cultural, or socio-economic challenges – gaslighting or violently attacking vulnerable women.
- The combination of vulnerable veterans with vulnerable spouses or partners can be especially hazardous. Veterans often face a variety of challenges, including physical and mental health issues, difficulty transitioning to civilian life, and barriers to accessing benefits and support, all of which contribute to their vulnerability. Intimate partner violence among veterans can be as high as 58%.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma currently ranks first in the nation for domestic violence incidents (49%) and third for the number of women killed by men. The recently passed Oklahoma Survivors Act (Senate Bill 1835) allows survivors of domestic abuse who have been convicted of crimes to apply for reduced sentences if the abuse significantly contributed to their offenses. While this legislation gives a voice to survivors’ experiences, it does little to address the persistently high rates of violence against women and girls in Oklahoma.
VULNERABLE SURVIVORS:
- Are three times as likely to meet the criteria for PTSD
- Are two times more likely to develop symptoms of depression
- Are three times more likely to develop a major depressive order
- Are more likely to experience headaches, sleeplessness, and chronic pain
- Are three times more likely to engage in cutting, and other self-harming behaviors
- Are more likely to experience fractures and traumatic brain injuries
- Are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts
- Are four times more likely to attempt suicide
- Are more likely to experience musculoskeletal injuries
- Are three times more likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder
- Are more likely to experience facial fractures
- Are more likely to experience dental injuries
- Are more likely to experience strangulation
- One in every ten victims experience rape
VULNERABLE CHILDREN
The National Domestic Violence Hotline reports: “Children witnessed violence in nearly 1 in 4 (22%) intimate partner violence cases filed in state courts, 30% to 60% of intimate partner violence perpetrators also abused children in the household, 40% of child abuse victims reported experiencing domestic violence, and children exposed to violence in the home were 15 times more likely to be physically and/or sexually assaulted than the national average.” In addition: “9.4% of high school students reported being hit, slapped, or physically hurt intentionally by their partner in the previous 12 months, and approximately 1 in 5 women who experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner first experienced some form of partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age.”
SUMMARY
The state of Oklahoma has been attempting to lower the rate of domestic violence for over a decade. Poverty, lack of resources, and weakened laws and enforcement are reportedly the primary challenges in reducing incidents of domestic violence. Background, culture, religion, beliefs, societal challenges, immigration status, economics, lack of resources, dysfunctional environments, generational experiences, age, race, physical health, mental health, fear, and homelessness make people — especially women and children — vulnerable to violence, gaslighting, and domestic abuse.
Because the dictionary’s definition of vulnerability includes the potential to be harmed physically or emotionally, it is vital to protect yourself and those you love and care about by seeking the help you need. Improving Lives Counseling Services, Inc.’s diverse team of professional, licensed, highly trained counselors, therapists, and clinicians creates a safe, trusting environment where self-awareness can be promoted, self-compassion is encouraged, past experiences can be safely reflected on, and emotions and experiences can be explored. Our team builds rapport and trust, creating a space where vulnerabilities are explored, heard, and understood. Call us at 918-960-7852, or click the link to schedule your appointment today. The life you save could be that of a loved one, or the life you save could be your own. Call…
