Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on sex. It typically targets women, but men can also experience it. Sexism operates at individual, institutional, and cultural levels. It includes beliefs that one sex is superior, as well as policies and practices that produce unequal outcomes.

Hostile sexism is openly negative: women are incompetent, women are manipulative. Benevolent sexism sounds positive but is still harmful: women should be protected, women are naturally nurturing. Both justify male dominance. Both limit women's choices.

Where sexism shows up

• Workplace: pay gaps, glass ceiling, harassment
• Politics: underrepresentation, media coverage
• Healthcare: dismissal of pain, misdiagnosis
• Media: stereotypes, objectification
• Law: unequal rights, weak enforcement

Sexism intersects with racism, classism, and homophobia. Black women face stereotypes that white women do not. Poor women face barriers that wealthy women can avoid. Addressing sexism means addressing all of its intersections.