Misogyny

Essentially, misogyny is policing women with threats and punishments when they try to subvert or challenge the patriarchy. Put differently, it's hostility towards women in order to enforce patriarchal norms.

Misogyny in Action

Let's consider the example from the page about patriarchy. Typically, after a child has been born, a mother will be given more time off than a father. This is an example of patriarchy because this policy restricts women: it suggests that it's their place to stay at home, and it negatively impacts their chances of promotion by taking them out of work. In this example of patriarchy, women staying at home to raise children is the norm. If a woman was vilified and insulted by people for choosing to swiftly go back to work rather than staying at home to look after her newborn child, this would be an example of misogyny.

Internalized Misogyny

It's a misconception to see patriarchy as a league of privileged men that consciously and explicitly rule over disempowered women. Rather, it is a system that privileges men and values masculinity over feminity. The system can be protected by women as much as it can by men. The two most obvious ways is through women challenging other women, or through women justifying misogynistic behaviours.

(Cartoon: "Good girl or slut cartoon" by Liza Donnelly)

Do Misogynists Hate Women?

Traditionally, misogyny has been defined as the hatred of women; however, that's not necessarily the case. Someone can display misogyny even though they hold positive attitudes and feelings towards women in general. What makes them a misogynist is that they behave in ways that criticize, punish and intimidate people who go against patriarchal norms.