In the world of modern dating, women are rediscovering the allure of old-school romance amidst the hustle and bustle of our fast-paced lives. Whether you’ve been juggling the roles of a single parent, a business owner, or a high-powered manager, the call for a return to simpler times is resonating louder than ever.
For those women dipping their toes back into the dating pool after a hiatus, the longing for a partner with timeless values who lets them revel in their femininity at home is palpable. But here’s a word of caution: navigating the dating landscape, it’s all too easy to mistake genuine old-fashioned charm for the sinister undertones of misogyny. So, how can you discern whether someone is old-fashioned or misogynistic?
In this deep dive, we uncover the intricate dance between traditional values and the unsettling prejudice against women, known as misogyny. It’s a journey through the twists and turns of society’s expectations, where perceptions of old-school romance intersect with the shadows of harmful beliefs.
1 – Objectification of Women
One of the stark manifestations of misogyny is the objectification of women. This insidious behavior reduces women to mere objects whose primary purpose, according to those harboring misogynistic beliefs, is to be aesthetically pleasing to men (or women, depending on sexual orientation). This reductionist perspective hinges on the idea that a woman’s worth is intrinsically tied to her physical appearance.
One often overlooked signal that someone objectifies women can be seen frequently on dating apps. Imagine you’ve been chatting it up with someone and things seem to be going along swimmingly, when the other person asks you to send them more pictures (please don’t).
A good response in this case is to simply end the dialogue at this point. If they spent time chatting it up with you, they could easily invite you for coffee at the very least. Anything else is a red flag that they objectify women.
Rating Women on a Scale
Misogynistic individuals often indulge in the degrading practice of rating women on a numerical scale, a crude attempt to quantify and categorize their worth based on perceived attractiveness. This not only objectifies women but also perpetuates harmful beauty standards, fostering an environment where self-worth is contingent upon meeting these arbitrary criteria.
Sadly, this has become a trend on social media, with the quip, “She’s a 10, but [insert random trait, personality type, or behavior].
This might be common practice in high school, but it should never be accepted in real life dating or relationship situations as adults. This is a blaring sign of not only misogyny, but also a severe lack of emotional maturity.
Derogatory Language
In addition to numerical ratings, misogynists employ demeaning language to describe women who do not meet their subjective standards of beauty. The use of derogatory terms to label “unattractive” women perpetuates a toxic culture that devalues individuals based on their appearance, fostering an environment where self-esteem is intimately tied to societal beauty norms.
Another way misogynists use derogatory language against women is by calling women c**t, whore, and slut when they are trying to instill fear, trying to put a woman “back in her place”, or trying to remind her that what her identity boils down to is her private parts.
Further, her womanly parts are really all she’s permitted to use, not her brain or heart or voice or passion. And so, when a misogynist calls a woman a c**t, they are saying: Know your worth — you are here for no other reason than for me to use.
Criticizing Young Girls
Disturbingly, misogynistic attitudes extend beyond adult women to include young girls. The inclination to criticize the looks and bodies of underage girls underscores the pervasive nature of these harmful beliefs, impacting individuals at various stages of life. This aspect of misogyny raises concerns about the broader implications for the self-esteem and mental well-being of young girls.
This is never appropriate. There’s a reason social media has gotten a bad rap for harming the mental health of young girls and teenagers. If your partner or someone you’ve been dating engages in this behavior, it’s time to find the escape hatch.
Controlling Behaviors
Misogynists often employ controlling behaviors, dictating your clothing choices, as well as how you style your hair and makeup. This goes beyond expressing preferences, which is a normal aspect of healthy relationships. This person may insist on you changing your outfit if it doesn’t align with their liking. Their influence permeates various aspects of the relationship, encompassing, but not confined to, your job, eating habits, clothing, hobbies, friends, and connections with family. Increased isolation often amplifies their control.
2 – Collecting Women as Trophies
Another facet of misogyny involves viewing women as trophies to be collected, showcasing them as status symbols rather than individuals with agency and autonomy. Their self-esteem is dependent on having a nice “arm piece” when they walk into a room. They also like to rotate women and brag about it. Don’t take this to mean that the person in question is vulnerable or fears genuine intimacy. At their core, misogynists feel entitled to treat women this way.
Individuals who collect women as trophies often derive great pleasure from the perceived status of having an attractive partner. The concept of an “arm piece” is emblematic of this mindset, where the presence of an aesthetically pleasing partner becomes a source of validation in social settings.
But make no mistake, these worthy women do not receive any special treatment back at home. If you’ve ever seen Tyler Perry’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman, it gives a perfect example of how misogynists treat their partners in real life. Despite outwardly appearing to lead perfect lives, Charles is emotionally and physically detached, exhibiting verbal and physical abuse. Simultaneously, Helen, grappling with unemployment and boredom at home, is fervently attempting to salvage her crumbling marriage.
On their 18th wedding anniversary, Helen returns home only to discover her possessions packed in a U-Haul, as Charles reveals his intention to abandon her for Brenda, his younger mistress and the mother of his two sons. Meanwhile, Helen wanted children, but her husband cheated on her and abused her domestically to the point that she had many miscarriages.
Sadly, this (or similar events) is how things often play out for the partners of misogynists.
Rotating Relationships
A strong aversion to any form of emotional connection drives these individuals to consistently cycle through various relationships. Through a continuous rotation of partners, they sidestep the vulnerability and intimacy associated with forging deeper emotional connections, mainly because they have no interest in doing so. This pattern not only perpetuates a shallow understanding of relationships but also contributes to a cycle of fleeting, superficial connections.
Serial Cheating
When an individual with misogynistic tendencies enters a monogamous relationship, they harm women by consistently breaking their commitment and engaging in a pattern of infidelity. Their sense of entitlement to pursue sexual relationships with whomever they please becomes a justification for cheating. They may attempt to shift blame onto you by asserting that your actions or presence were insufficient to meet their needs.
3 – Strained Relationships with Significant Women
A crucial aspect of understanding misogyny involves examining the individual’s relationships with significant women in their lives, such as their mothers, sisters, or grandmothers. While a challenging relationship with a woman does not inherently make someone a misogynist, the unresolved emotions stemming from these interactions can manifest as anger towards women, influencing both romantic relationships and general attitudes towards the entire gender.
Family Dynamics
Misogynistic attitudes can often be traced back to family dynamics, where strained relationships with maternal figures, sisters, or other important women contribute to negative perceptions. Unresolved conflicts from these relationships can manifest in destructive ways, influencing the individual’s interactions with women outside the family unit.
The unresolved emotions and anger resulting from difficult relationships with significant women can become a powerful force in shaping an individual’s attitude towards women in general. This transference of anger may manifest as hostility, objectification, or a pervasive sense of distrust towards women in various aspects of life.
4 – They Act As If You’re a Gold Digger
It’s one thing to stick to a budget or save for retirement. It’s another completely to act as if you aren’t worthy of a fancy date night or special gifts, even when they have the means.
Do they take you on cut-rate dates? Do they refuse to buy you gifts for special occasions and then call you a gold-digger if you bring up that it sometimes feels you’re being taken for granted? Misogynists believe that most women are parasites…out to get what they can.
Alternately, misogynists often take the approach to relationships that, when first getting to know a woman, they’ll intentionally take her on super cheap dates, and once they know she isn’t after their money, they’ll “reward” her by spending more money on her. This stems from his belief that women consider having money spent on them as some kind of intrinsic reward.
Misogynists believe all women are out for money and this is especially evident in divorce proceedings, with many narcissistic misogynists guilting you into believing you are a money-hungry monster. This is an attempt to have you sign away your rights in the case of divorce. Even if you are/were a stay-at-home mom or were asked to stay home at their request, you are still entitled to your fair share in the event of divorce. Let your attorney handle the details and don’t have any personal conversations with the narcissistic misogynist as they will try to make you believe you don’t deserve anything.
The Misconceptions of Old-Fashioned Or Misogynistic
It is essential to address the common misconception that misogynistic behaviors are synonymous with old-fashioned values. While traditional values may encompass a set of beliefs and practices rooted in the past, they do not inherently endorse or justify harmful attitudes towards women.
Confusing Respect with Control
In some cases, the confusion arises from a misunderstanding of traditional gender roles, where respect for women may be mistaken for controlling behaviors. Traditional values emphasizing respect and courtesy can be misinterpreted when they veer into restrictive expectations and limitations on women’s autonomy.
It is crucial to challenge stereotypes and dispel myths surrounding the conflation of misogyny with traditional values. A nuanced understanding of respect, equality, and healthy relationships within the framework of traditional values can help dismantle harmful associations and promote positive, respectful attitudes towards women.
Conclusion
If the traits I’ve described align with your partner, you have now had the chance to identify them as someone with harmful attitudes. It’s essential not to assume that your love and influence can bring about change. Unless you’re comfortable with a lifetime of submission, belittlement, and disrespect, this person is probably not the right fit for you. My advice: consider going in a different direction.
Shifting the focus from a toxic or indifferent partner to yourself is a crucial step in healing from toxic relationship dynamics. It empowers you to take control of your own life and work on your emotional well-being. If you know that rising out of fear and pain and into healing and happiness is something that you dearly want, I’m inviting you to take on this journey, with me beside you, just as I and thousands of other Thrivers have.
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