Sexism has always been a problem in Western society. It has been a problem that many people overlook, simply because they think it does not actually exist! However, sexism is present in our current society today, and is proved perfectly by Alleen Nilsen in her quote stating, "Anyone living in the United States who listens with a keen ear or reads with a perceptive eye can come up with startling new insights about the way American English reflects our values." Every society has certain common beliefs regarding the ways each sex should behave. In Western society, for example women have traditionally been considered more tender and sympathetic than men have. Men have been regarded as more competitive and not as emotional as women have. Our language supports this outdated view today. Although feminists tend to be the only people fighting against sexism, this false ideology needs to be changed. People need to become more sociological in their thinking and realize this is a problem that we all should be working to fix. Being of the female gender myself, I understand this problem fully through experiences in my own life. The two main reasons I feel this ideology needs to be changed is: females no longer should have to contend with these outdated stereotypes set up decades ago, and men should not feel any intimidation for their roles becoming more sensitive or caring as individuals. Basically, I feel that as cultural changes have taken place, the language that molds us as youngsters and adults, needs to reflect the new attitudes toward the roles of men and women today in society. Everyone, from infancy on, learns what the accepted sexual role should be for his or her gender. Growing up, I can remember, family members playing rough with my brother, and gently and cuddly with me. My father would watch and see the disappointment in my face, come over, toss me in the air just to let me know I could be tough and play rough too.
