Things have not changed radically. They are slightly better for younger generations but the research that Peggy Orenstein did that talks about bro culture was from 2019 I believe. The research that Equimundo did on The Man Box was also from 2019 - and self reported by young men themselves. In fact, other that Kivel study from the 80's it was all current research.
I get told nearly every day that I am inferior to men. It's not said that overtly, but it's telegraphed quite clearly nonetheless. In a recent story that I wrote about role incredulity and the authority gap - both of which have been studied recently with tons of data - both are alive and well. And, I got a lot of disturbing comments with examples, some of them coming from men about their wives experiences.
I once explained a solution to my male boss who knew nothing about an issue he should have known about. He then recited my solution back to me word for word as though he’d just solved the problem for both of us, pleased with himself. I thought he was joking around. He was serious. So I said, “Yeah, that’s what I just said, Bob.” He gave me a blank stare. It was surreal.
This is ingrained in some guys who seem consumed with either entitlement or insecurity. They must be the final authority at all times with a woman to save face, as though someone else might be watching and see their weaknesses. Maybe voices from the past in their heads.
Mostly subconscious, but there nonetheless.
I was in charge of building our solar, off grid home. When tradespeople came they would automatically ask me where the 'boss' or my husband was.
A moment of cognitive dissonance was sure to follow.
My spouse deals with this on a daily basis at her work. She constantly spots issues in her employer’s processes, that exposure them to negligence and possible legal troubles. I back her up on this stuff, as a career digital process specialist (I literally build this stuff every day). The issues she raises are painfully obvious with painfully obvious and easy solutions that she communicates quite eloquently. Yet the morons she works for, both male, patronize her every time. They are literally idiots, yet so confident in their male dominance, makes me want to puke. Eventually they’ll screw up so badly they’ll end up hiring lawyers to defend for their negligence.
My sister told me a story of role incredulity when she was meeting a man at work and when she entered the conference room he asked her for a coffee assuming she was an assistant. She told me his face was a picture when she told him he was meeting her.
My own experience is related to my dentist wife. We go to dental conventions where there are multinational and national suppliers. I would have a badge with Spouse or something on it (don't get me going on that) and colored with say, a blue border. My wife would have a badge with her name and Dentist on it colored red. I can't tell you how many times the representative would look at me and address his answers to me. I would have to point out that my wife was the dentist and the one spending money. It was so bad that I was called Doctor for two days by one person. Ironically over 50% of dental school graduates are women and it was younger people making the judgement.
We still have a long way to go.
https://hbr.org/2021/12/when-people-assume-youre-not-in-charge-because-youre-a-woman
“Some women were flat out told they don’t look like someone in a male-dominated role (“you don’t look like an engineer”) or were received incredulously. For instance, one woman was introduced to a colleague’s male friend, and the friend expressed surprise that she was a reporter, explaining that he assumed the women were in the newsroom “to type up the stories for the men.” Role incredulity can even be a safety issue; a geomicrobiologist was injured in her own lab when a young male staff member wouldn’t listen to her.”
Just because you are not personally aware of something doesn't mean it isn't happening. If it's not happening as much in your generation, that doesn't mean it's gone. Plus, you didn't answer my question about the completely ubiquitous practice of calling a guy a pussy or saying he throws like a girl.
I think there are a lot of organizations that are still trying to build women up to counter all the ways they are routinely underestimated and torn down. I've never heard any of them say that women are smarter than men, but that too sounds like a defense mechanism to counter all the years of misogyny.
