Chauvinism facts for kids

Chauvinism is when someone strongly believes their own group is better than everyone else. They might think their group is strong and good, while other groups are weak or not as good. It's like having too much patriotism (love for your country) or nationalism (loyalty to your nation), where you think your country is the best and most glorious.

Sometimes, the word "chauvinism" is also used to mean male chauvinism. This is when someone thinks men are better than women.

What is Chauvinism?

Chauvinism is an extreme belief that your own group is superior. This can be about your country, your gender, or any other group you belong to. It often involves having strong negative feelings or prejudices against people from other groups. This belief can be very strong, even when there's a lot of evidence against it.

Chauvinism and Nations

The idea of chauvinism comes from a French soldier named Nicolas Chauvin. He was badly hurt fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. Even after Napoleon lost power, Chauvin still strongly believed in Napoleon and that France had a special mission. His strong loyalty, even when his ideas were unpopular, led to the word "chauvinism."

This term then grew to mean being overly devoted to any group or cause. It's especially used when this devotion includes being unfair or hostile to outsiders. An English word similar to national chauvinism is jingoism, which means a very aggressive and warlike form of nationalism.

In 1945, a thinker named Hannah Arendt explained that chauvinism can come from the idea that a nation has a "mission." This mission might be to bring its "light" to other countries that are seen as less fortunate. She noted that this idea, when not extreme, could lead to a sense of responsibility for people in less developed areas. However, it becomes chauvinism when it turns into an unfair belief that one's own nation is naturally better than others.

For example, if someone believes their country or ethnic group is simply better than all others, that's an irrational chauvinist belief.

Male Chauvinism

Male chauvinism is the belief that men are better than women. The phrase "male chauvinism" was first written down in a play in 1935.

In the workplace

During World War II, many men went to fight, so women took their jobs in factories and offices. When the war ended, men came back and found women in jobs they used to have. This made some men feel like their important role in society was threatened. Because of this, male chauvinism seemed to increase.

After the war, men often returned to powerful jobs, while women often worked as secretaries. They would type letters and answer phones. This way of dividing jobs was common and expected. Women often felt they could not challenge their position or their male bosses.

Why Male Chauvinism Happens

Some experts believe that male chauvinism can come from how boys grow up. For most people around the world, mothers are the main caregivers. This means boys and girls develop differently. Boys have to learn how to be masculine, while girls don't have to learn how to be feminine in the same way.

Some ideas suggest that male chauvinism is a way for men to deal with feelings of worry or shame. These feelings might come from early childhood experiences, or from conflicts about power and how they see themselves as masculine.

Female Chauvinism

Female chauvinism is the belief that women are better than men. A feminist writer named Betty Friedan said that thinking women are morally or spiritually better than men is a form of female chauvinism. Another writer, Ariel Levy, wrote a book where she argued that some young women are acting in ways that copy male chauvinism and old negative stereotypes about women.

See also

In Spanish: Chovinismo para niños