Women-to-Women Oppression
There is a plethora of theoretical and empirical research discussing experiences of bias, discrimination, prejudice, stereotyping and oppression that many groups of people experience (e.g. people of varied ethnic, cultural, or racial backgrounds; women; disabled individuals; gay or lesbian persons; older adults). Further, there is extensive research literature discussing the oppression and discrimination of women by men, however, the literature discussing women’s oppression of women is almost non-existent.
With the exception of recently emerging research on relational aggression between girls and a very small number of articles addressing indirect aggression between females, there is a scarcity of conceptual and empirical literature describing the oppression of women by women.
Numerous factors appear to be involved in leading a woman to oppress another woman. Most women seem to be unaware of their engagement in oppressive acts toward other women and the ways in which they contribute to this oppression. A combination of social and environmental factors such as the gender socialization process and the media are contributing factors to women-to-women oppression.
Women are often unaware of how environmental factors, including the media, impact their relationships with their mothers, partners, daughters, female colleagues, etc. We are committed to raising awareness about women-to-women oppression, provide educational resources and information, and advocate for healthier relationships between girls and women. | |
