Heard of gaslighting? It’s when someone messes with your head to make you doubt yourself, impacting self-perception and autonomy. But did you know that women often face this not just in relationships, but also from society?
1. Questioning Professional Competence
Women’s abilities in professional settings are frequently undermined or questioned, making them doubt their qualifications and skills, despite their accomplishments and expertise.
2. Dismissing Health Concerns
Women’s health issues are often minimized or dismissed by medical professionals, implying their symptoms are “all in their head” or less severe than they are.
3. Beauty Standards
Society imposes unrealistic beauty standards, then criticizes women for either trying too hard to meet them or not trying enough, trapping them in a no-win situation.
4. Emotional Labeling
When women express anger or frustration, they are often labeled as hysterical or overly emotional, suggesting their feelings are irrational or not to be taken seriously.
5. Motherhood Expectations
Women are frequently judged harshly for any parenting decision. Whether they work or stay at home, society finds ways to suggest they’re not doing enough for their children.
6. Singlehood Shaming
Single women are often questioned about their relationship status, implying that their worth is tied to being in a romantic relationship.
7. Victim Blaming
In cases of sexual assault or harassment, women are often questioned about their behavior, attire, and choices, subtly suggesting they are responsible for the actions of others.
8. Doubting Experiences of Discrimination
When women speak out about sexism or discrimination, they are often met with skepticism or outright denial, suggesting they are misinterpreting the situation or overreacting.
9. Career and Ambition
Women who are ambitious or career-driven are sometimes described as being against family values or too aggressive, undermining their professional goals.
10. Age Shaming
Women are often made to feel less valuable as they age, with society focusing excessively on youth and beauty, which diminishes their self-esteem and worth over time.
11. Financial Independence
When women earn more or are financially independent, their success can be minimized or attributed to factors other than their own hard work and intelligence.
12. Domestic Expectations
Even in modern households, women are often expected to bear the brunt of domestic chores and caregiving, with any request for equality treated as an overreaction.
13. Intellectual Underestimation
Women’s opinions and intellect are often underestimated in intellectual debates, with interruptions and over-speaking commonplace in both professional and casual settings.
14. Policing Clothing
Society often polices women’s clothing choices, implying that they should dress a certain way to be respected or taken seriously.
15. Body Autonomy
Discussions around reproductive rights frequently involve questioning women’s ability to make decisions about their own bodies, suggesting they are incapable of such decisions without societal input.
16. Safety and Paranoia
Women are often told they are being paranoid or overly cautious when expressing concerns about personal safety, despite real risks and experiences.
17. Romantic Expectations
Romantic or marital expectations often place undue pressure on women to maintain relationships, even at the cost of their happiness and mental health.
18. Strength and Vulnerability
If a woman shows strength, she’s considered unfeminine, but if she shows vulnerability, she’s seen as weak. Society sets a standard that’s almost impossible to meet.
19. Leadership Style
Women in leadership positions face criticism for any leadership style they adopt, whether assertive or collaborative, suggesting their natural approach is always somehow flawed.
20. Mental Health Stigma
When women seek help for mental health issues, they are often stigmatized or not taken as seriously as men, which can discourage them from seeking the help they need.
Reflecting on Reality
This list isn’t just about recognizing these patterns; it’s about initiating change. By understanding how societal gaslighting works, we can better support women in challenging these narratives and reclaiming their reality.
The post 20 Ways American Society Gaslights Women Daily first appeared on Pulse of Pride.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Prostock-studio.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
