25 sexist questions that we should all avoid

We live in a society in which equality between the sexes is progressively being established.. The woman has gone from being a helpless, ignorant, smiling and defenseless figure who must be maintained and protected while she dedicates herself to take care of the children and maintain the home to establish themselves as an equal figure and with the same rights and possibilities as the man.

However, despite the fact that our society has made great progress towards this equality, traces of a way of thinking in which women are considered inferior or in which their actions are limited to a cosmetic or sexualized. This is visible in areas such as work or academics, or in the world of advertising.

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Throughout this article we present 25 sexist questions that can attest to the persistence of roles and positions traditionally granted to the feminine gender.

Twenty-five sexist questions

Although today it is more difficult to find extremist positions that defend the supremacy of men over women in our society, in our daily lives some of the traditional prejudices and gender stereotypes are still visible in different questions.

Sometimes sexism itself is obvious, while in others it can be more hidden and even unconscious.. It is possible that some questions only seem sexist in certain contexts. The following questions are an example of this.

1. Are you in those days of the month?

Traditionally, women have been considered emotional, labile and with a humor that can be explosive, especially during menstruation. When a woman is angry or upset, many people assume that it is because she is menstruating and not due to the existence of other factors.

2. Have you thought about abandoning your career to dedicate yourself to your family?

This question is common in job interviews with women.. Similarly, work for women is assumed to be a temporary hobby.

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3. Have you ever slept with someone to get your job?

When a woman manages to climb in social position and in the workplace, On many occasions, the capabilities, skills and effort that she may have made are ignored. and the credit for the rise is attributed to the use of sex as an easy resource.

4. Wouldn't you feel guilty leaving your baby in the hands of a stranger while you are working?

A way of blaming women for having a professional life and at the same time prolonging the gender stereotype of the female as caregiver of the home and children.

5. Can her husband join in?

Although it does not happen so often nowadays, it is common that when presenting technical details or when reporting regarding economic aspects or contracting of services such as electricity or gas, the man is identified as the person in charge, ignoring the women.

6. Will the lady want wine too?

When spirit drinks are ordered, it is generally assumed that they have been ordered by the man and are served to him, and later to the woman in case she feels like it.

7. How do you manage to stay so young at your age?

Physical attractiveness is an element attributed to the female sex. It is usually valued that mature women maintain a young and wrinkle-free appearance, and if they do not achieve this They are often perceived as less attractive and interesting, and even as less valuable. socially. This does not happen to the same extent with men, who may even be considered more attractive.

8. Would you be willing to come to work wearing a miniskirt?

In many types of businesses, female employees are required to dress in ways that suggest their attributes., using them as a lure to attract men.

9. Does she have children or do she plan to have them?

A common question in job interviews and one that can often lead to discrimination and exclusion of the candidate. Generally it is because the company assumes that there is a possibility that the woman may focus on her family and neglect her work, as well as take maternity leave.

10. Is this how a young lady/lady behaves?

In some regions and cultures, a woman manifests character, competitiveness, spontaneity, intelligence, sensuality or simply differs from what is established by man is considered unfeminine and unworthy of she.

11. A woman driving? I better take another taxi

It is common to hear phrases or sayings like “woman behind the wheel, constant danger”. Part of the population previously considered that women do not have good driving skills, a belief that has been perpetuated in the form of a stereotype.

12. What does it feel like to be a couple of…?

Many women of great fame and importance on their own merits who have married or are related to men acquaintances have often seen that they are presented as the “partner of” or the “relative of”, ignoring their contributions.

13. Does your husband help you with household chores?

This question is sexist in the sense that it is assumed that household chores are a woman's responsibility. and the man at most helps her with them, instead of considering that the home belongs to both of them and therefore the tasks must be shared equally. It is not about one doing them and the other helping, but about both collaborating.

14. Don't you want to have children? Aren't you worried about feeling empty?

The main role that has been attributed to women is that of mother. Women who decide not to have children often find that those around them believe that they will not feel fulfilled if they do not fulfill this role.

15. How do you think about going out alone at that time?

The image of women as a fragile and vulnerable creature still survives in comments like this, making it In some cases they are even prevented from going out until late at night unless they are accompanied by a man.

16. How do you feel that your boss is a woman?

Another effect of machismo is the relatively little presence of women in high places.. Generally, high positions in the company hierarchy have been occupied by men, and some Workers with outdated ways of thinking may look strange or even refuse to work under orders. women.

17. Will you adopt your husband's last name?

Although today it is a tradition in decline and is not applied in our territory, In some countries like the United States, the tradition of adopting the male's surname is still preserved. after marriage, ignoring the origin.

18. Would you flirt with clients to make them stay longer?

Seducing customers is something that women who work in front of the public are often asked to make them buy or consume more.

19. How do you balance your personal or work life?

This phrase is not sexist or sexist. However, it can be seen that there is a tendency for it to be used much more if the person being interviewed is a woman.

20. Is owning a home as rewarding as having a paid job?

Belonging to the Center for Public Studies survey of this same year, the question assumes that the main role of women is that of housewife.

21. Don't you think you're eating too much? you're going to get fat

Although something similar happens with men today, traditionally Women have been the ones who have received the most pressure to maintain an image that meets beauty stereotypes.. This causes eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia to emerge and spread.

22. Why do you dress like that if you don't want people to look at you?

A typical question even today. It is typical of situations in which there is an unwanted sexual approach towards the woman in question or even in cases of rape. The victim is blamed for the situation by considering that her clothing or behavior has been an act of provocation. that he makes her deserving of sexual harassment.

23. Doesn't your husband care that you earn more than him?

The wage gap continues to be one of the aspects in which the most gender differences are detected. Furthermore, there is a tendency that when a man earns less than his wife he is frowned upon, considered incapable or even a servant. On the other hand, the fact that it is the woman who earns less or does not have a paid activity is not so frowned upon.

24. Will you work once the baby is born?

Pregnant women may have been questioned regarding this aspect. She wonders if the fact that a child is born is going to cause her to completely abandon her job to dedicate herself exclusively to him.

25. And what will a woman know about this?

This question reflects the belief that women do not have the capacity to reflect or find a solution on a specific issue just because they are women.