Sexist Rhetorics Against Women Up Post US Polls

“A patriarchal society creates an inherently unsafe and harmful environment for non-conforming women and those who do not adhere to rigid societal norms of gender and sexuality. While this power disparity is often perceived as primarily benefiting men, it also poses hidden risks to their psychological well-being,” says Dr. Saurabhi Mitra, a leading consultant psychiatrist.

Social media has always been a double-edged sword, amplifying both progressive movements and regressive ideologies. Following the US polls, there has been a surge in nasty posts and comments that demean women, reinforce outdated gender roles, and trivialise the struggles for equality. Expressions used by trolls reflect a larger societal resistance to women’s empowerment. They are designed to provoke, belittle, and silence women, reinforcing a patriarchal mindset that continues to resist change.

“The term patriarchy often refers to male domination generally, another interpretation sees it as literally ‘rule of the father’. Some people believe patriarchy does not refer simply to male power over women, but the expression of power dependent on age as well as gender, such as by older men over women, children, and younger men. The operations of power in such cases are usually enacted unconsciously,” says Dr Mitra.

All are subjects, even fathers are bound by its strictures. It is represented in unspoken traditions and conventions performed in everyday behaviours, customs, and habits. “The triangular relationship of a father, a mother, and an inheriting eldest son frequently form the dynamic and emotional narratives of popular culture and are enacted performatively in courtship and marriage rituals,” explains Dr. Mitra.

The rise in sexist rhetoric can be traced back to deep-seated divisions exacerbated by contentious political climates. Elections and their results often serve as a flashpoint for debates on gender, with issues like reproductive rights, equal pay, and women’s political representation coming under scrutiny.

Dr Dipali Sikand, owner of Les Concierges, feels that in India, institutional responses to women’s rights have often fallen short of addressing the root causes of inequality. While there has been a greater focus on women as a distinct constituency in recent years, this has not translated into tangible safety, opportunity, or empowerment for many. “Violence against women remains a significant issue, with distressing cases of sexual violence and systemic delays in justice pointing to a lack of accountability at multiple levels,” says Dr Sikand.

In highly polarised environments, progress on these fronts often triggers backlash, as individuals and groups with opposing views seize the moment to reassert traditionalist ideologies. This post-election surge in misogyny is emblematic of a broader trend where political outcomes become a catalyst for cultural regressions.

The #MeToo movement shook a lot of men. For the first time in working history perhaps, #MeToo brought abusive men under the scanner. “The backlash combined with already established movements like Pro-Life and the Republican party’s conservative stance towards women has led to all this,” says Kajal Iyer, a freelance media professional.

While the current surge in sexist rhetoric is most visible in the United States, its implications are far-reaching. “The current scenario in the US causes young girls to grow up accustomed to this behaviour. They will find husbands who are exactly like their fathers who will boss them around. They will teach their daughters to listen to their fathers and brothers because they are ‘men’. This creates a cycle of sexism and misogyny that is very hard to break,” says Andrea Martinez, a student from the US.

In an interconnected world, cultural and political shifts in one region can influence attitudes and behaviours across the globe. Social media platforms, being global, act as conduits for these ideologies, enabling them to spread rapidly across borders.

“USA being one of the superpowers and its President being Trump presently, who spells the narrative of ‘women should only be homemakers’, ‘women need to get back to the kitchen’, ‘women’s reproductive rights are a man’s choice’, ‘women cannot abort at any stage of pregnancy, it’s not their right’, ‘your uterus, my opinion’, ‘feminism is a myth and is spoiling the society and our culture’, may affect loads of people within America, but also all over the world because USA dictates a lot of political policies in other countries too,” says Dr. Mitra.

This phenomenon poses a significant challenge to the global fight for gender equality. In societies where women’s rights are already fragile, the normalisation of such rhetoric could embolden regressive forces and stall progress.

Beyond its societal impact, the rise in sexist rhetoric carries profound psychological consequences for women. Constant exposure to derogatory language and demeaning narratives can erode self-esteem, perpetuate feelings of insecurity, and contribute to mental health challenges.

“In the West, currently there are also influencers who fall in the category of Trad Wives. This is a way of making traditional female roles look attractive. The women in these videos are all slim, and pretty and cook 7-course meals from scratch and don’t have a job (Instagram or TikTok is their job, escapes many). So ‘Go Back to the Kitchen’ is easier to say when there are women actively selling this lifestyle” says Iyer.

This chilling effect is especially troubling in a world where digital platforms are increasingly central to activism, professional networking, and community building. When women are pushed out of these spaces, it not only silences individual voices but also weakens collective efforts.

The surge in sexist rhetoric underscores the urgent need for a multi-pronged response. Social media platforms must take stronger measures to curb harmful content, employing advanced algorithms and stricter enforcement of community guidelines.

Governments and organisations must also prioritise education campaigns that challenge misogynistic attitudes and promote gender equality. “Sexual violence affects individuals of all genders, although there are far more female victims compared to male victims. Additionally, the majority of perpetrators are male, further reinforcing the core definition of patriarchy as a system of dominance supported by aggression and violence,” says Dr. Mitra

Research has shown that “social media use may be linked to adverse mental health effects, such as suicidal thoughts, feelings of loneliness, and reduced empathy. “With social media, individuals are increasingly susceptible to the negative impacts of patriarchy on their mental health. People from other countries also tend to see/read/listen to Trump’s narrative and may think it’s correct. The internet has facilitated the spread of gender-based discrimination, reinforced patriarchal norms, and propagated negative representations of women,” says Dr Mitra.

Support systems, both online and offline, can play a key role in mitigating the impact of sexist rhetoric, ensuring that women continue to occupy and thrive in digital spaces.

The backlash against women’s empowerment highlights the persistence of deeply ingrained biases. This moment calls for renewed vigilance, solidarity, and action to safeguard the gains of the past and pave the way for a more equitable future.