Misogyny And Misandry

Misogyny is the unjustified hatred and prejudice towards women, while misandry refers to the unjustified hatred and prejudice towards men. At a glance, it may seem that both are equally harmful and should be eradicated for the better. However, in a patriarchal society like ours, this simple definition doesn’t capture the full picture. The relationship between misogyny and misandry is far more complex, and understanding these complexities is essential for true social reform. 

Misogyny and misandry are not opposite but unequal forces. Misogyny is more prevalent under patriarchy, where women are the oppressed and men the dominant oppressors. It manifests as a form of sexism, reinforcing the social subordination of women and maintaining patriarchal structures. The oppression and exploitation of women, fueled by misogyny, occur at symbolic, physical, structural, and systemic levels. It includes both overt acts of violence and more subtle forms of discrimination, such as belittling women, controlling them, or holding them to different standards than men. 

Misogyny stems from a desire to control, dominate, and devalue women. It’s deeply rooted in historical and cultural norms. Misandry, in contrast, has a drastically different origin. In patriarchal societies, misandry frequently emerges as a reaction to systemic misogyny, rather than as an equivalent force. Misogyny is the cause of misandry.

When misogyny is expressed, it often results in violence, harassment, wage gaps, underrepresentation, or femicide.  As for misandry, it results in distrust, satire, or online venting, without actual consequences. It only causes symbolic violence and rarely causes systemic harm. There are no legal, cultural, or political frameworks that privilege women at the expense of men. Misogyny is institutionalised; misandry is not

Misogyny is normalised, excused, or even celebrated in media, religion, and cultural practices, while misandry is condemned and treated as a threat. This double standard reveals which prejudice holds real social power. Women’s expressions of anger, frustration, or distrust towards men in such a system are reactions to harm, not rooted in irrational hatred. Accusations of misandry are weaponised to delegitimise women's anger and derail conversations about gender-based injustice.

Unjustified hatred is domestic abuse, where women are the victims 80 per cent of the time, and men are the perpetrators 95 per cent of the time. On sexual abuse, where women are the victims 91 per cent of the time, and 93.6 per cent of the offenders are men.

Radical stances taken by women, such as the 4B movement or calls for separatism and political lesbianism, are often misunderstood as misandry. In reality, these dialogues have emerged as survival strategies in response to systemic gender violence. They are attempts to liberate victims of misogyny from patriarchal control. 

While some men’s rights activists raise valid concerns, blaming misandry without addressing its root cause, misogyny, is intellectually dishonest. Women, feminists, or even misandrists are not responsible for the “male loneliness epidemic,” the “declining mental health of men,” or the so-called “crisis in masculinity.” Patriarchy is.

Misogyny and misandry are not only causally linked but also positively correlated. When misogyny is on the rise, so will misandry in retaliation. The only way to combat misandry is to reduce misogyny.