Opression

When we talk about oppression, the word can have many forms, many subjects. This can refer to minorities, other ethnicities, disabled, feminism, etc. 

But... What is the Internalized Oppression?

Internalized oppression is the manner in sociology and psychology in which an oppressed group comes to use against itself the methods of the oppressor. For example, sometimes members of marginalized groups hold an oppressive view toward their own populations, or they start to believe in negative stereotypes of themselves. Internalized oppression also exists among some immigrants and their descendants. If the foreigner's ethnic origin, native language or culture are devalued vis-a-vis those of the host community, the person may feel a sense of inferiority. This self-hatred in turn manifests itself through an exaggerated conformity with the dominant norms, which the individual perceives as superior to his own. As such, in response to ridicule, an immigrant may attempt to compensate via assimilation and acculturation. Internalized homophobia and internalized sexism are also categories of internalized oppression.

 

We can also talk about Internalized Sexism that affects all genders.

Internalized sexism is one of the three theorized subsets of sexism other than institutionalized discrimination and interpersonal sexism. Unlike its counterparts, which are sexism and social interactions, internalized sexism occurs more so on an individual level.Internalized sexism is when an individual enacts sexist actions and attitudes towards themselves and people of their own sex. On a larger scale, internalized sexism falls under the broad topic of internalized oppression, which "consists of oppressive practices that continue to make the rounds even when members of the oppressor group are not present." Internalized homophobia and internalized racism are also categories of internalized oppression.

 

These are issues that concerns both genders:

Internalized heterosexism

Internalized heterosexism is a manifestation of internalized sexism that primarily affects sexual minority populations (composed of people who identify lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or other), however, it can also affect heterosexual populations by dictating how they interact with and relate to non-heterosexual peoples. This phenomenon manifests when sexual minorities begin to adopt rigid, restrictive heteronormative values into their worldviews. Examples of these heteronormative values are fundamentalist religious doctrines that condemn non-heterosexual orientations and activities, concepts of masculinity and manhood that emphasize restricted emotionality (scholastically referred to as RE), or restrictive affectionate behavior between men (scholastically referred to as RABBM).The internalization of heteronormativity often create Gender Role Conflicts (GRCs) for people whose actions fall outside the parameters of acceptable cultural norms that promote unrealistic and constricting ideas about what it means to be a man or a woman in modern society. One of the most common consequences of internalized heterosexism is intense depression fueled by self-loathing and sexual repression.

Internalized misogyny

Misogyny is the act of elevating the status of men through demeaning the value of women in society. Internalized misogyny is women self-policing each other. Women who experience internalized misogyny may express it through minimizing the value of women, mistrusting women, and believing gender bias in favor of men.Internalized misogyny exists due to the institutional difference between men and women in society. Men increase their own power through diminishing women's power. Women, after hearing men demean the value and skills of women repeatedly, eventually internalize their beliefs and apply the misogynistic beliefs to themselves and other women The implications of internalized misogyny include psychological disorders such as depression, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and less social support among women.Many research studies have been conducted to examine the correlation between internalized misogyny and negative psychological consequences in minority, lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women. Certain forms of therapy have been known to limit the effects of internalized misogyny on mental health.

Internalized misandry

Misandry is the hatred of, violence against, or discrimination of men and masculinity. Internalized misandry, then, is the act of identifying as a man and discriminating against oneself and one's masculinity. Raewyn Connell notes in her 1987 book Gender and Power: Society, the Person and Sexual Politics, different masculinities retain different authorities across performance so that one version of being a man is valued over another. Because of this, men may form internalized feelings of hatred for aspects of their masculine performance, but not to the full degree of internalized misandry.