sexism

both boys/men and girls/women are objects of discrimination based on their sex; sexism is an inclusive term when viewed primarily as discrimination. However, sexism is often defined specifically as the subordination of women by men; "While some women may dislike men intensely and treat them unfairly and while some women may be equally guilty of prejudice toward other women, the balance of power throughout most, if not all, of recorded history has allowed men to subordinate women in order to maintain their own privilege" (Paula S. Rothenberg, Racism and Sexism). Unequal, discriminatory treatment of the sexes touches almost every aspect of society, from large issues like the males-only compulsory registration, the feminization of poverty, the disparity in income between women and men, and the glass ceiling for many working women, to everyday issues like lifestyle ("work wives" are more socially acceptable and admired than "house husbands"), clothing (women wear just about anything men wear, including for a while, boxer shorts, while men aren't culturally approved for skirts, dresses, or most women's wear), crossover colors (women can wear blue, but men don't dare to wear pink unless it is called "salmon"), activity (girls can be "tomboys" but boys better not be "sissies"). Nijole V. Benokraitis and Joe R. Feagin (Modern Sexism) say, "Although both men and women can be targets and victims of sex discrimination, a vast literature indicates that being a woman is frequently a better predictor of inequality than such variables as age, race, religion, intelligence, achievements, or socioeconomic status." In all but two respects, that is true: today people with same-sex orientations are likely to be more discriminated against than any other group; the fact that only men were sent to war provided a stunning inequality for men for centuries while today's males-only compulsory registration remains discriminatory.