What does sexism refer to?

Sexism refers to discrimination or prejudice based on a person's sex or gender, which encompasses a wide range of negative attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs that perpetuate inequality between genders. This concept highlights the systemic nature of this discrimination, where social, cultural, and institutional practices can reinforce stereotypes and biases against individuals based on their gender.

Understanding sexism is crucial because it reveals how societal structures can limit opportunities, favor one gender over another, and contribute to unequal power dynamics. This definition captures the essence of sexism as a societal issue, rather than merely an individual action or belief.

The other choices present different concepts related to gender but do not encapsulate the definition of sexism. The movement advocating for gender equality reflects a response to sexism, social norms about traditional gender roles relate to cultural standards rather than the direct definition of sexism, and legal terms regarding gender rights might address the implications of sexism but do not define what sexism itself is.