Sex Discrimination -- Subtle and Covert (From Constructions of Deviance: Social Power, Context, and Interaction, P 133-142, 1994, Patricia A and Peter Adler, eds. -- See NCJ-151012)

• NCJ Number: 151018
• Author(s): N V Benokraitis; J R Feagin
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Wadsworth Publishing Co
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted from "Modern Sexism: Blatant, Subtle and Covert Discrimination" (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1986)

Annotation

Because overt sex discrimination is emphasized by society and in the media, insufficient attention is paid to subtle and covert sex discrimination.

Abstract

Subtle sex discrimination has five basic characteristics: (1) it can be intentional or unintentional; (2) it is visible but often goes unnoticed because it has been built into norms, values, and ideologies; (3) it is communicated both verbally and behaviorally; (4) it is usually informal rather than formal; and (5) it is most visible on individual rather than organizational levels. Subtle sex discrimination can take the form of condescending chivalry, which refers to superficially courteous behavior that is protective and paternalistic but that treats women as subordinates, or benevolent exploitation. Covert sex discrimination refers to unequal and harmful treatment of women that is clandestine and maliciously motivated. Unlike overt and subtle sex discrimination, covert sex discrimination is very difficult to document and prove because records are not kept or are inaccessible and the victim may not even be aware she is a target. Forms of covert sex discrimination include tokenism and discrimination in the workplace. 7 notes