Violence through language continues to hinder, in some cases, gender equality. Do you mention any? Do you know someone who does it?
The following are some of the most common and everyday phrases in our society. We highlight them with the aim of reflecting and inviting you to think about a more egalitarian culture, through the recognition and acceptance of the expressions that are still used and that perpetuate violence, beyond bad words. These are part of ‘Don’t tell me again: 13 everyday phrases to understand gender violence’, a book produced by the NGO .
We invite you to read:
- “There are races for men and races for women.”Who said there are different abilities and skills? Although there may be different methods and strategies, there is no barrier when it comes to choosing a career and pursuing it.
- “Behind every great man is a great woman”, no one should be behind someone, always at their side, like a partner. Let’s stop seeing women as responsible for the success of their male counterparts. Both have the ability to contribute to the development of the other through camaraderie and mutual appreciation.
- “You should be a little more feminine.”, no one should impose a behavior or pattern that generates discomfort in others. Each person must act according to what makes them feel happy and unique.
- “Men do not cry”How many times have we heard this phrase to try to stop a man from crying? By doing so, we are invalidating his sadness, and therefore, his emotions. Crying is not a demonstration of weakness, nor does it belong only to the female gender, it is an expression that helps people’s emotional development. No one should suppress their feelings for fear of the disapproval or judgment of others.
- “Being a mother is the most beautiful thing about being a woman”, we do not doubt that someone who is a mother feels it, but this expression reduces a woman’s role to a purely procreative and maternal one. Let each woman find what is most beautiful about being a woman and not condition her to the stereotype imposed by society.
- “She asked for it for being dressed like that”, is one of the most violent expressions because it holds women victims of sexual harassment and assault responsible. All people have the freedom to dress according to their personality and tastes, and that does not justify any aggression. The only person to blame is the one who exercises violence. .
- “Men are more reason and women are more emotion”, is a reflection of the pattern that is still exercised in the early education of boys and girls. Those who break into it will feel that they are not doing things well, but we may also be generating ecpathy for the feelings of the other. Do we want to continue building stereotypes that disrupt development from childhood?
- “That color is for girls”, is a controversial topic and is another pattern that generates meaningless differences even before they are born. Let them grow without any influence and choose freely.
- “If a child treats you badly it is because he likes you”, this phrase approves and naturalizes violence from childhood, even telling a girl to understand aggressive behavior is inviting her to accept this behavior, which is also violent. Girls and boys have the right to be respected in any area.
- “You don’t have to understand women, you have to love them”the message transmitted here makes impossible the need to allow women to externalize their emotions, feelings, attitudes and opinions, but in addition to that, that the other offers the possibility of understanding and delving deeper into their interior.
- “It was a crime of passion”, is the most serious phrase of violence. There are no crimes of passion out of jealousy or love, they are forms of murder that imply a deep problem, which is born from the man’s sense of possession of the woman, they express in World Vision. The correct expression is that it is a femicide.
- “She’s not meant to be a girlfriend.”, this expression is made based on what? Anyone has the freedom to live and express their sexuality and love life without fear of the judgment of others.
Did you recognize some phrases and want to work on not mentioning it anymore, but you don’t know where to start? You can contact us and receive psychological counseling to start the change. Call or write for free via WhatsApp at 3330333588. This service is 24/7, confidential and for adults.