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Man of Many
9 hours ago
- Man of Many
‘Benevolent Sexism': What is it, and What Can You Do About It?
By Ally Burnie - News Published: 9 Aug 2025 |Last Updated: 7 Aug 2025 Share Copy Link 0 Readtime: 8 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. You're a good bloke. You care about your partner, want her to be happy, and you always have the best intentions. Maybe that means working hard, providing for the household, or making sure she's looked after. There's nothing wrong with that, is there? But when does being 'supportive' start to turn into something that's kind of the opposite? Something that might feel caring on the outside, but underneath is more controlling than caring? That's where the concept of 'benevolent sexism' sneaks in, and it's not always easy to spot. Image: Ave Calvar/Unsplash What is 'Benevolent Sexism'? Benevolent sexism is a term introduced by American social psychologists Peter Glick and Susan Fiske in 1996 as part of their 'ambivalent sexism' theory, which is the idea that sexism comes in two forms: 'hostile sexism', which is openly negative, and 'benevolent sexism', which seems positive but still reinforces traditional gender roles and inequality. As clinical psychologist and Global Director of Research at Movember Zac Seidler explained to Man of Many: 'Benevolent sexism refers to seemingly positive but ultimately restrictive attitudes toward women that appear protective or appreciative but reinforce traditional gender hierarchies.' Unlike overt forms of sexism, it seems caring (like saying 'women are naturally better at caring for children'), but limits agency and casts women as less capable or independent. Glick and Fiske found that even when these attitudes come from a good place, they still send the message that women aren't as strong or capable as men, which just keeps traditional gender roles in place. The Podcast that Kick-Started the Convo Benevolent sexism isn't new, but the uptick in discourse started with a viral clip from The Pocket with Chris Griffin, a podcast which calls itself 'storytelling and education from leaders all around the world.' It's tagged on Spotify as 'health' and 'self-help.' In the podcast episode, Griffin said he'd prefer his partner not work unless she wanted to, because after a day of chasing his dreams, he wants to come home to 'peace and love.' He encouraged women to go on 'hot girl walks' and focus on their 'feminine energy,' arguing this dynamic best supports a man's ambitions. The clip quickly went viral and sparked a fierce debate about gender roles. Many saw the message as harmless or even romantic, but others called it out for being traditional gender expectations repackaged as care. One of the loudest critics was Laura Henshaw, CEO of wellness brand Kic, who said Griffin's views were 'misogyny in a bow' – harmful ideas disguised with soft music and motivational language. In her view, the podcast promoted a fantasy where men succeed while women take a backseat, all under the banner of choice. Despite the backlash, Griffin didn't back down on his stance. In interviews and on social media, he defended his position, telling the ABC the backlash proved society was 'against biology' and unfairly criticising traditional masculinity. 'Imagine wanting to work hard so you can give your partner safety and freedom of choice, just to be labelled toxic,' he said in a separate response online. What made this conversation hit harder is that Griffin's views aren't fringe. Research from the e61 institute shows Gen Z men are increasingly turning toward traditional gender roles, especially in response to online masculinity content. The podcast's popularity is part of a broader trend, one where traditional ideas about masculinity are making a comeback, dressed up in language about love and support. Image: Unsplash When the Algorithm Keeps Serving You Sexism Benevolent sexism isn't only reinforced by men, however. The #TradWife and #StayAtHomeGirlfriend trends have taken off on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, with videos racking up millions of views. These videos often show young women preparing meals, organising their homes, and living financially supported lifestyles thanks to their partners. The message is clear: this is self-care, this is 'feminine energy,' and most importantly, this is a choice. And yes, for some, it genuinely is. But as experts warn, it's also part of a wider pattern that can reinforce outdated ideas about gender. Seidler said these trends are appealing because they're presented in such a polished, aspirational way – but that's exactly what makes them risky. 'While some women genuinely find fulfilment in traditional domestic roles, the concern lies in how these trends can romanticise economic dependence and present a narrow vision of femininity as aspirational,' Seidler said. The danger, he said, is in treating this one way of living as the gold standard, rather than one option among many. 'For young people still forming their identities, these highly curated presentations can create unrealistic expectations about relationships and gender roles, potentially limiting their sense of what's possible for their own lives.' It doesn't just affect women. For young men, this content can reinforce the pressure to be 'the provider' or 'protector' – a role that sounds noble, but can be emotionally and financially exhausting. 'It heaps on pressure about a singular (unattainable) idea of what a man should be and normalises relationship dynamics which underpin coercive control,' said Seidler. Thanks to the algorithm, social media has become one of the easiest ways for these ideas to spread. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are designed to keep serving you more of what you engage with, which means even casual views of this content can quickly lead to a steady stream of similar videos. 'Social media creates echo chambers that can normalise benevolent sexism more effectively than previous media,' said Seidler. 'The algorithmic nature means people encounter repeated messaging that reinforces existing beliefs, personal, authentic feel of social media content can make these messages seem more credible than traditional advertising or media'. Because the content feels relatable and aspirational, it's easy to absorb without questioning. But over time, it shapes what feels 'normal' in relationships – and what doesn't. While the videos might seem harmless, or even empowering, it's worth asking: who's benefiting when the ideal woman is always soft, supportive, and stays in her lane? Stressed man at work | Image: Tim Gouw/Unsplash The pressure on men This conversation isn't one-sided. While traditional gender roles and benevolent sexism often limit women's choices, the expectation that they must always be the provider carries a heavy toll for men, too. 'Benevolent sexism places significant pressure on men to fulfil protector and provider roles, which can create anxiety, stress, and feelings of inadequacy when they can't meet these standards,' explains Seidler. 'It can limit men's emotional expression and help-seeking behaviour, as acknowledging vulnerability contradicts the 'strong protector' ideal.' These traditional roles are encouraged by 'masculinity influencers' online. According to Movember's Young Men's Health in a Digital World report, nearly two-thirds of young men (16–25) in Australia, the UK, and the US follow these types of influencers online, many of whom reinforce the importance of self-reliance and traditional provider roles. The report highlights that young men who engage with this content are more likely to report feelings of worthlessness, nervousness, and sadness, and are less likely to prioritise their mental health compared to their peers. Almost a quarter of Australian men say they would not seek help for mental health concerns at all. According to 2025 research from The American Journal of Men's Health, strong adherence to traditional masculine norms – emphasising stoicism, self-reliance, and emotional suppression – is consistently linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, stress, and risky behaviours (like substance abuse) among men. This combination of societal pressure and silence creates a cycle where men's struggles go unseen and untreated, highlighting that rigid gender expectations harm everyone, not just women. Photo by Ian Stauffer on Unsplash So … What's a Good Bloke to Do? If you're someone who genuinely wants to support the people you care about, that's already a solid place to start. Benevolent sexism is tricky because it often feels like you're being respectful or protective, but sometimes even well-meaning actions can take away someone else's freedom or voice. As clinical psychologist Gene Efron points out, most young people want to move away from gender stereotypes and genuinely value equality. But algorithms aren't neutral, and they will keep feeding you content that reinforces old-school ideas, without you even realising it. 'Social media can feed into deeply held unconscious beliefs,' he told Man of Many. 'So it's important that when consuming this content that people ask themselves, 'Is this actually consistent with my values?'' Doing regular check-ins with yourself and what you're consuming is important, because being a good bloke doesn't mean being in control or sticking to outdated roles. Being a good bloke means showing up with respect, openness, and a willingness to grow. And, there are other upsides to this, too. 'There is a benefit – financial, social, emotional – in expanding their ideas of what they can be,' said Seidler. When all is said and done, no one's pointing fingers. Most guys are doing their best. But now that you know a bit more about benevolent sexism, it's a chance to stay curious, reflect, and think about how your actions can better match the kind of bloke you want to be.
SBS Australia
12 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Diana lived in her car while battling cancer. A new housing initiative is offering hope
This story contains reference to domestic violence Diana is a solo mum living in Victoria. After fleeing the family farm with two children, she struggled to find housing. At the lowest point, Diana lived in her car with her young son, outside a fast-food outlet. "My son was in year 12 and it was just awful. Unbelievable. It's really hard to even get the words out about how we felt," said Diana, 53. "It was the worst time of our lives. It was absolutely devastating and it caused us so much stress." Diana grew up on a farm and enjoys growing her own food. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell Like many women facing insecure housing in Australia, Diana is a family and domestic violence survivor. Bitter memories linger of those terrible years, when lack of housing wasn't her only hardship. "I was also battling cancer at that stage. It had affected my stomach, and I was on a feeding tube practically 24/7," she said. "Having feeds go through to my stomach while living in the car, I had to hook it up on makeshift power outlet. It was so hard. "I don't even know how we got through that. It is something that no-one should ever have to experience." Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia, said 45 per cent of women and girls in Australia seeking homelessness support have experienced domestic and family violence. Credit: SBS / Sandra Fulloon Requests for housing support increasing Recent research by Homelessness Australia reveals an alarming rise in the number of already homeless women and girls seeking assistance. "Our analysis found that women and girls coming to homeless services who have already lost their home has increased by 20 per cent in the past three years," CEO Kate Colvin said. Requests for housing support increased from 24,517 in May 2022 to 29,449 in March this year. "Around 45 per cent are fleeing family and domestic violence. Others are squeezed out into homelessness by the rental crisis," said Colvin. "The sad reality is that when women come to a homelessness service and can't get the help they need, if they're fleeing family violence, often they return to that situation. It feels safer than being on the street," she said. Diana understands the housing dilemma all too well. The New Zealand-born former farmer has spent years in and out of temporary accommodation. "Initially, I had no income at all, so finding a place to rent was impossible," she said. "Even when we did find a property, I had PTSD and couldn't work. So, my kids did what they could, but of course nowhere near enough to cover the rent. Diana lives in a rented home in Victoria with her daughter Emma, 30. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell "It is devastating and you feel so small, like you are not worthy of anything. "Finally, St Vincent de Paul got us into a safe house in Melbourne and we stayed there for a year." More than 400,000 older women in Australia are thought to be at risk of homelessness. The federal government's Housing Australia Future Fund includes dedicated funding for 4,000 homes for older women at risk of homelessness. LISTEN TO However, Homelessness Australia says more is needed. "[Homelessness] just keeps getting worse and worse. Rents are increasing relentlessly. We also have record low vacancy rates," Colvin said. Global Sisters founder Mandy Richards. Source: SBS / SBS Sandra Fulloon New housing initiative Global Sisters is a not-for-profit trialling a new initiative that aims to get groups of at-risk women into their own homes. "Called Little Green Houses, the scheme provides affordable housing ownership to Australian women who are on low incomes and those facing housing insecurity," said founder Mandy Richards. A $3 million pilot project aims to build up to eight small, energy-efficient houses in regional NSW by Christmas. Pilot projects in other states are due to follow, with ownership backed by low-cost loans. "These homes are for women who are completely locked out of the housing market," Richards said. "Many cannot access a mortgage, so they do not have a hope in hell of buying a house in a land package." One of the Little Green Houses designed for the pilot project. Source: Supplied / Wild Modular / Global Sisters The project was developed in partnership with pre-fabricated housing company Wild Modular and the Regional Australia Bank, and has support from a major philanthropic foundation, and the Global Cities Foundation. The first phase of the project is focused on supporting solo mums and their children. "If we can help women achieve economic security, then we can reduce homelessness for some women and children and prevent them from living in cars and couch surfing," Richards said. The proposed interior of a Little Green House, designed for the pilot project. Source: Supplied / Wild Modular / Global Sisters The Little Green Houses are modular and can be built quickly. Each house and land package is valued at around $350,000. "They are really beautiful and highly energy efficient," Richards said. "And we aim to ensure that repayments stay below 35 per cent of a low income such as social security payments." Diana and her daughter Emma, 30, were forced to move again last year and now pay $535 per week for their four-bedroom home. They are among candidates selected for a Little Green House. 'Huge savings on bills' "It would be a dream come true to own our home, and pay the mortgage back below the rate we are paying in rent," she said. "The houses are energy efficient, which means huge savings on bills. "At the moment, electricity, gas and water keeps going up as everyone knows and it's extremely hard to make ends meet." Diana runs a ceramics business from home, which supplements her income. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell Diana now works part-time with Global Sisters and runs a small ceramics business from her rented home in regional Victoria. "I make around $15,000 each year from selling my ceramics and I love it, but it's not enough to pay bills and save for a mortgage. "I have no savings, no super. All we earn goes on rent and bills. So, to buy a home [on the open market] now that I am in my mid-fifties, seems impossible." Emma runs a home-based jewellery business but both say last year's house hunt left them traumatised. "My daughter and I looked at 122 rentals and we were not accepted for any of them," Diana said. Emma, (left) with her mum Diana at home in regional Victoria. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell "You feel desperate and begin to fear becoming homeless again. Yeah, it's always on your mind. It looms over you," she said. Daughter Emma agrees: "Growing up during a rental crisis, and having to move house every few years it almost becomes the norm. And it is not. You should be able to settle." "In an ideal world, Australia needs to completely overhaul the system. It just doesn't work. There's not enough funding, there are not enough people hands-on helping." Best hope for security Mother and daughter fear for their future, as the end of their current lease approaches. "We both struggle with health issues," said Diana. "I have PTSD from years of stress and recently had surgery to remove a sarcoma in my leg. "I have worked so hard since I was 15 years old and every time I took one step up the ladder, I fell back down because of these health issues." Their best hope for security is a Little Green House. "Imagine, just imagine moving into our own home with a garden, knowing that it's safe. "And it would be ours. No one could take it away from us," she said. Homelessness Week runs from 4 August to 10 August 2025. If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit . In an emergency, call 000.
ABC News
13 hours ago
- ABC News
It has been a week since Gregory Vaughan, Kim Worner and their dog disappeared in a light plane
It was a mild day on the northern Tasmanian coast when a couple and their dog climbed into a small green aeroplane and flew away. But alarms sounded when pilot Gregory Vaughan, 72, his partner, Kim Worner, 66, and their dog, Molly, failed to arrive at their destination in central New South Wales four hours later. Despite an extensive search across Bass Strait and nearby islands, there has been no trace of the missing trio or their plane since the Saturday flight a week ago. It has left many questioning how, in 2025, an aircraft and its occupants can simply disappear. Last Saturday at 12:45pm, Mr Vaughan and Ms Worner departed from George Town airport, about an hour north of their home in Deloraine, in a two-seater Bristell S-LSA plane purchased a few months earlier. They were due to make a fuel stop in regional Victoria, before continuing to Hillston in New South Wales, west of Condobolin. George Town Airport Association president David Brewster said Mr Vaughan had been planning the journey for some time and texted a friend before leaving, telling him he was all set to go. But Mr Brewster said the friend sensed trouble when Mr Vaughan's departure time came and went without a departure call being heard on the radio. Mr Brewster said he and the friend contacted Airservices Australia at about 1:15pm, after noting the plane had left the airport. They then prepared their own planes to conduct a search for Mr Vaughan's aircraft. The formal alarm was raised by a family member after 5pm, when the travellers failed to land at Hillston airport. An official aerial and marine search began soon afterwards. Police said Mr Vaughan had not made a distress call and believed there were no active tracking devices on board. Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said the pilot made no contact with authorities during the flight. "The best-case scenario we can only really hope for is they have made land somewhere," Tasmania Police Inspector Nick Clark said on Tuesday. Wynyard Aero Club president David McCarthy said that unless entering controlled airspace, there was no requirement for private or recreational pilots to log their flight plans, make radio calls to air traffic controllers during a flight or have a transponder. In aviation, transponders — a radar-dependent surveillance device — play a vital role in identifying aircraft to air traffic control and other aircraft. "But you should at least notify a responsible person of where you're going and when you're expected back." He said pilots could also nominate a SARTIME (time search action required) with Airservices Australia, which is when search and rescue procedures should be initiated, if the aircraft fails to check in. A Civil Aviation Services Authority (CASA) spokesperson said when flying long distances over water, pilots were required to leave a flight note with a responsible person, or notify authorities through a flight plan or SARTIME. Mr McCarthy said it would be "highly unusual" for an experienced pilot not to make any calls. CASA rules state private or recreational pilots must carry a registered distress beacon when flying more than 50 nautical miles (93 kilometres) from land. Bass Strait at its narrowest point is about 220 nautical miles wide. Recreational Aviation Australia chairman Michael Monck said pilots "should carry life jackets and appropriate sort of safety equipment". Mr Monck confirmed satellite trackers were not required in any type of airspace. He said transponders were only required in some controlled airspaces. Mr McCarthy and Mr Monck fear increased regulation would add to costs and detract from the joy of flying. They said aviation was generally incredibly safe. Mr McCarthy said pilots underwent substantial training. In addition, he said most private pilots performed a flight review with an instructor every two years. "Once I'm in the air, I'm in a much safer environment because of the way that it operates and the way that we're trained." But there would always be a certain level of risk. "The bottom line [is] things can go wrong," he said.
