Misogyny
Misogyny is the idea that women are worth less than men and are inferior to them. The term comes from the ancient Greek (misos = hatred | gyne = woman) and is translated as ‘misogyny’ or ‘misogyny’.
According to Geier (2020, Logik und Funktion von Misogynie. Probleme und Perspektiven), misogyny is an umbrella term that covers a range of mechanisms that utilise gender (differences) to create social inequality. There is no general agreement on whether sexism is part of misogyny or vice versa. Instead, the terms ‘sexism’, ‘misogyny’ and sometimes also ‘antifeminism’ are often used interchangeably, depending on the country context. In practice, they merge into one another anyway, and their linguistic differentiation primarily serves analytical purposes. Amlinger and Schmincke state that a misogynistic attitude is often a prerequisite for antifeminist actions, but that the two can also work in parallel.
Kate Manne has attempted to differentiate between sexism and misogyny. She says that sexism provides the theoretical basis on which misogyny can be applied in practice.
According to Manne, the central idea is that women are seen as givers and men as takers. ‘In this economy of moral goods, women are obliged to give something to men, but not to demand anything’ (Manne, 2020, 61), resulting in an attitude of entitlement on the part of men towards women. This must be fulfilled in order to avoid becoming a victim of punitive misogyny. Misogyny fulfils the purpose of social control of women. It is an instrument of moderation to ensure this system of give and take.
For this reason, misogyny also includes an adherence to gender binarity. Only in a patriarchal society with clearly defined roles can this superordination and subordination endure. Gender-specific role conformity is central.