The Significance Quest Theory & Sexism: Unveiling the Causes of Gender Prejudice

Sexism refers to prejudice or misconception stereotype towards people based on their gender (Leaper and Rachael 1). The Significance Quest Theory can be attributed to most sexist acts witnessed in the world today. According to Jasko et al., many sexist people's actions can be described using the violent drivers described in theory (1). While other factors can be attributed to sexism, The Significance Quest Theory violent extremist drivers' need, narrative and network are the significant causes of sexism.

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According to Glick and Susan, sexism was mainly attributed to the biases men had against women (2). The social injustices committed to women were attributed to the societal norm, which describes women as the weaker gender. However, based on the research by Leaper and Rachael (1), sexism does not apply to men only. Some women have also proved to have ambiguous prejudice against men in society.

Need

Need is a significant driver of extremist violence in the Significance Quest Theory. According to Kruglanski and Preben, people have a desire to feel special in society and to be recognized by those around them (3). Much gender-based violence can be attributed to the need that either males or females have to feel superior to others. Instead of fulfilling their need to matter in society by working hard to be recognized or perform their roles exemplarily, many people opt to discriminate against the other gender.

In the 19th century, women's roles were limited to childbearing, cooking, and other domestic work (Cross et al. 338). Men needed to ensure that the women respected them in the community and the family. Therefore, the positions of power were left exclusively for the males. However, despite having the leadership roles in society, sexual and domestic violence have been a trend in the nation, with men trying to prove their superiority.

Need drives people to do things that can be considered socially unjust. However, the Significance Quest Theory does not discriminate against the role each gender play in trying to feel superior to the others. Women in the 21st century have also resulted in violence when they are in a position of power. They use their power to ensure that the men in their life feel the impact of their leadership.

Narrative

According to Kruglanski and Preben, radicalization, which is often attributed to sexist, extremist violence results from ideologies that justify violence (1). Gender-based violence results from the societal norms that discriminate against another gender. For example, in most communities, especially in Africa, women rights are disregarded, and their voice is ignored in society. Many cases of sexual violence cannot be reported due to their believes that men, especially in the family, are the superior gender. However, the cultural norms are rooted deep in the social teachings and ideologies which install masculinity power in young boys.

Both religious and communal leaders play a role in spreading the ideologies that result in gender violence. Males are regarded as the superior gender, which results in the desire to prove their superiority to the weaker gender. However, human rights in the 21st century have tried to curb the radicalized ideologies in an attempt to reduce extremist violence in society. The media also plays a significant role in spreading the ideology of male superiority. For example, most television shows portray the women as house wife's whose roles in the family are to take care of the children and the husband while he provides for the family. The roles played by the ladies in the family are disregarded men, which results in domestic violence in homes.

Network

Network in the Significance Quest Theory refers to people who subscribe to the radicalized ideologies. The narratives spread by the society results in people adopting the extremist violence acts portrayed. People adapt to the ideologies after witnessing others in society, especially those who are in a position of power practicing it. For example, if female leaders are humiliated by their male colleagues publicly, other people in society may see the actions as morally right.

The personality of the people in authority is reflected in the society they represent. Therefore, all the actions undertaken by the public figures in the nation are deemed to be right, especially by their supporters. Radicalization is imminent if gender-based injustices are witnessed in public without any actions taken against the offenders.

Conclusion

Extremist violence is a significant challenge in society today. Society needs to address the issues of violence to ensure peaceful coexist between different genders. Therefore, understanding the issues explained by the Significance Quest Theory is crucial in dealing with violence in society. Curbing the spread of radicalization requires dealing with the need, narratives, and the networks in the community. Gender-based roles in the community should ensure that the gap between men and women is breached to ensure that equality is adopted.

Works Cited

Cross, Emily J., et al. "An interdependence account of sexism and power: Men's hostile sexism, biased perceptions of low power, and relationship aggression." Journal of personality and social psychology 117.2 (2019): 338.

Glick, Peter, and Susan T. Fiske. "The ambivalent sexism inventory: Differentiating hostile and benevolent sexism." Social Cognition. Routledge, 2018. 116-160.Jasko, Katarzyna, et al. "Social context moderates the effects of quest for significance on violent extremism." Journal of personality and social psychology (2019).

Kruglanski, Arie W., and Preben Bertelsen. "Life psychology and significance quest: a complementary approach to violent extremism and counter-radicalisation." Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism 15.1 (2020): 1-22.

Leaper, Campbell, and Rachael D. Robnett. "Sexism." (2018).