Misogyny (/mɪˈsɒdʒɪni/) is hatred or contempt for women or girls. It is a form of sexism used to keep women at a lower social status than men.

Women who reject subordination are punished by misogyny. Examples of punishment are sexual harassment and violence against women which includes domestic violence, and in its most extreme forms, femicide and misogynist terrorism. Misogyny also operates through coercion and psychological techniques aimed at controlling women, and by legally or socially excluding women from full citizenship. In some cases, misogyny rewards women for accepting an inferior status.

In feminist thought, misogyny also includes the rejection of feminine qualities. It holds in contempt institutions, work, hobbies, or habits associated with women. It rejects any aspects of men that are seen as feminine or unmanly. When directed against LGBT people, it may take the forms of homophobia and transmisogyny. Racism and other prejudices may reinforce and overlap with misogyny. Misogyny can be understood both as an attitude held by individuals and as a widespread cultural custom or system.

Misogyny has existed throughout recorded history. It can be found in mythology, philosophy, and religion worldwide. The English word "misogyny" is derived from the word used in Ancient Greece for disliking women. The word was rarely used until it was popularized by second wave feminism in the 1970s.

 

Note:   The above text is excerpted from the Wikipedia article Misogyny, which has been released under the GNU Free Documentation License.