An ambivalent alliance - Hostile and benevolent sexism as complementary justifications for gender inequality

The equation of prejudice with antipathy is challenged by recent research o n sexism. Benevolent sexism (a subjectively favorable, chivalrous ideology that offers protection and affection to women who embrace conventional role s) coexists with hostile sexism (antipathy toward women who are viewed as u surping men's power). The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, first validated in U .S. samples, has been administered to over 15,000 men and women in 19 natio ns. Hostile and benevolent sexism are complementary, cross-culturally preva lent ideologies, both of which predict gender inequality. Women, as compare d with men, consistently reject hostile sexism but often endorse benevolent sexism (especially in the most sexist cultures). By rewarding women for co nforming to a patriarchal status quo, benevolent sexism inhibits gender equ ality. More generally, affect toward minority groups is often ambivalent, b ut subjectively positive stereotypes are not necessarily benign.