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In This Article:

• What does misogyny really mean, and where did it begin?
• How has misogyny shaped society in both history and modern times?
• What are the hidden ways misogyny impacts your daily life?
• Is change possible, and how can we break free from its grip?
• How can you be part of the shift toward gender equality?

How Misogyny Shaped Society: The Hidden Impact on Our Lives

by Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why things are the way they are? Why women apologize more than men, why men rarely take parental leave, or why a woman’s ambition is often called "bossy" while a man’s is seen as leadership? It’s not random. It’s not just how things are. It’s how misogyny shaped society, threading itself so deeply into our culture that it feels invisible—until you see it.

Growing up, you might not have had the words for it. You felt it, though. The teacher who dismissed a girl’s idea but praised a boy’s for saying the same thing. The way girls were told to cover up, while boys were just “being boys.” The way anger was unbecoming for a woman but expected in a man. These weren’t isolated incidents. They were whispers of a system much older than any of us.

The Long Shadows of History

Misogyny has shaped societies for millennia, embedding itself in laws, traditions, and cultural norms. In ancient civilizations, women were treated as property, denied rights, and confined to domestic roles. Even as societies evolved, laws continued to restrict women—from denying them the right to vote or own land to barring them from education and financial independence. Well into the 20th century, women in many parts of the world needed a male co-signer to open a bank account or apply for credit, reinforcing their economic dependence.

Beyond legal constraints, misogyny shaped expectations. Women were taught to be nurturing, self-sacrificing, and agreeable, while men were encouraged to be dominant and ambitious. These patterns didn’t just disappear; they adapted. Today, women are still paid less, expected to take on unpaid labor at home, and judged more harshly in leadership roles. Even young girls absorb these messages, learning to shrink themselves, apologize more, and prioritize likability over assertiveness—lessons that follow them into adulthood.

Misogyny isn’t just imposed by men; it has been internalized across generations. Women have been conditioned to compete rather than uplift one another, to downplay their intelligence, and to prove their worth through appearance and behavior. Meanwhile, men have been raised in a system that often discourages emotional depth and vulnerability, reinforcing rigid gender roles that harm everyone. The cycle continues, not because people actively choose it, but because it has been ingrained for centuries.

Yet, awareness brings power. Each time we challenge outdated norms—whether by raising our daughters to take up space, teaching our sons that strength includes empathy, or calling out double standards—we break the cycle. History’s long shadow does not have to dictate the future. The more we recognize and dismantle these ingrained biases, the closer we move toward a world where gender equality is no longer a fight, but a given.

The Unseen Costs of Misogyny

You might think, "Well, things have gotten better, right?" And yes, in many ways, they have. Women can vote, own property, and pursue careers. But does that mean misogyny is gone? Or has it simply evolved, taking new shapes?

Look at the numbers. Women still earn less than men for the same work. They are more likely to experience violence at the hands of a partner. They are underrepresented in leadership, yet overrepresented in unpaid caregiving roles. This isn’t a coincidence. It’s a design—a system that benefits from keeping half the population in a quieter, more restricted role.

But let’s go deeper. Misogyny isn’t just about holding women back—it hurts men, too. It tells them they can’t cry, that their worth is tied to dominance, that being nurturing or gentle makes them weak. Toxic masculinity is the cousin of misogyny, and it shackles everyone.

Breaking Free from the Cycle

So, what do we do? If misogyny shaped society so deeply, can we really undo it? The answer is: yes, but not without effort. Change begins in the small, everyday choices we make.

It starts with questioning the norms we’ve accepted for too long. It’s in the father who takes paternity leave despite the raised eyebrows. The manager who ensures equal pay. The teacher who encourages girls to lead. The men who call out sexism among their friends.

And it’s in you. Yes, you—the person reading this, the person who now sees the invisible threads of misogyny and refuses to let them hold anyone back.

Hope in Action

If history teaches us anything, it’s that change is possible. Women fought for the right to vote and won. They fought for workplace rights and won. And now, we stand at another turning point.

The impact of misogyny today is undeniable, but so is our power to rewrite the story. It won’t happen overnight. There will be resistance. But every conversation, every pushback, every time we choose to challenge outdated norms, we chip away at an old world to build a better one.

And maybe one day, a girl won’t have to grow up wondering why she has to apologize for taking up space. Because by then, we will have made space for everyone.

Your Next Step

Change doesn’t start in government halls or corporate offices—it starts with you. It starts with the way you raise your children, the conversations you have, and the biases you challenge in yourself and others.

So ask yourself: What’s one thing you can do today to make this world just a little bit fairer? Then do it. Because the more of us who choose action over silence, the closer we get to a world where misogyny no longer writes the rules.

And isn’t that the world we all deserve?

About the Author

Beth McDaniel is a staff writer for InnerSelf.com

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Article Recap:

Misogyny has shaped society for centuries, dictating gender roles, cultural expectations, and systemic oppression. The impact of misogyny today is still felt in workplaces, relationships, and legal systems. But we are not powerless—change begins with awareness and action. By understanding how misogyny shaped society, we can dismantle outdated norms and create a more just world for everyone.

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