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Sexism is a form of discrimination based on gender, and it can affect anyone, regardless of their identity. For teenagers, encountering sexism at school, in social situations, or online can be particularly frustrating and disheartening. Understanding how to recognise and address sexism is an important step toward building confidence and creating a fairer society. Here are 10 tips to help you deal with sexism effectively.1. Understand What Sexism Is
Sexism involves unfair treatment, stereotypes, or assumptions based on someone's gender. It can be explicit, like sexist comments or jokes, or subtle, such as different expectations for boys and girls. Understanding what sexism looks like helps you identify it when it occurs and realise it's not about you, it's about outdated attitudes and beliefs.2. Speak Up When You Feel Safe
Challenging sexist behaviour can help stop it from continuing, but only if you feel safe doing so. For example:
- Call out a sexist joke by saying, "That's not funny, it's disrespectful."
- Question stereotypes by asking, "Why do you think girls can't be good at sports?"
- Point out unfair treatment, like unequal opportunities in class or on a team.
3. Know That It's Not Your Fault
If you experience sexism, remember that it's not your fault. Sexist behaviour reflects the biases of others, not your abilities, character, or worth. Don't let it make you doubt yourself, you have the right to be treated with respect and equality.4. Build Confidence in Your Abilities
One way to combat the effects of sexism is to focus on your strengths and achievements. Whether it's excelling in a subject, pursuing a hobby, or developing a new skill, building confidence in your abilities helps you stay resilient and proves that stereotypes are meaningless. Celebrate your successes and don't let others diminish your accomplishments.5. Seek Support from Allies
Having a support system can make dealing with sexism easier. Allies might include:- Friends who listen and validate your experiences.
- Teachers who stand up for fairness and equality.
- Family members who encourage and empower you.
6. Educate Yourself and Others
Learning about sexism and gender equality can empower you to challenge stereotypes and advocate for change. Share what you learn with others to raise awareness. For example:- Discuss gender equality topics in class or with friends.
- Share resources like articles, videos, or books that promote inclusivity.
- Encourage open conversations about how sexism affects everyone, not just one gender.
7. Report Sexist Behaviour
If you experience or witness sexism at school or online, report it to someone in authority. Steps include:- Telling a teacher, head of year, or school counsellor about the incident.
- Reporting online harassment or discriminatory content to the platform.
- Speaking to an adult you trust if the behaviour occurs outside of school.
8. Challenge Gender Stereotypes
Gender stereotypes can limit people's opportunities and self-expression. Challenge these stereotypes by:- Choosing activities or subjects you're passionate about, regardless of gender norms.
- Encouraging others to pursue their interests, even if they don't fit stereotypes.
- Highlighting examples of people who break gender norms, like female scientists or male midwifes.
9. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Dealing with sexism can be emotionally draining, so prioritising your mental health is essential. Consider:- Practising mindfulness or relaxation techniques to manage stress.
- Talking to a trusted friend or counsellor about how you're feeling.
- Engaging in activities that boost your mood and self-esteem.
10. Advocate for Change
You have the power to make a difference. Advocate for gender equality by:- Joining or starting a gender equality club at school.
- Participating in campaigns or events that promote inclusivity.
- Using your voice on social media to raise awareness and challenge sexism.
Conclusion
Dealing with sexism can be challenging, but you have the strength to confront it and advocate for change. By speaking up, building confidence, and seeking support, you can protect your self-worth and inspire a more equal future. Remember, you're not alone in this journey, and your efforts can make a real difference in your life and the lives of others.How are you feeling?
It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.
If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:
- Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
- NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
- The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
- SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
- Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)
*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.