Sexism is the idea that a natural hierarchy exists between people of different genders. The assumption that it is a natural order justifies the discrimination, oppression, neglect and disadvantage of people, especially women, because of their gender. Since sexism is a social power relationship, its manifestations can adapt to changing social developments. For this reason, sexism can vary both culturally and institutionally. 

The term “sexism” probably originated in the U.S. American women’s movement of the 1960s. It is believed that “sexism” was first used by Pauline M. Leet in her lecture “Women and the Undergraduate” (1965). The term first appeared in Germany in 1976 in the book “Sexism: On the Abortion of the Women’s Question” by Marielouise Janssen-Jurreit. The historical development of the concept took place within the context of the changing feminist movements in Germany. In the 1980s there was awareness of multiple discrimination and in the 1990s of discrimination against lesbians, gays, transgender and intersex people. Finally, in the 1990s, a differentiation was made between traditional and modern sexism. Traditional sexism is an overt form and modern sexism (also called neosexism) is a covert form of sexism. Both forms are characterized by a negative devaluation of the other person. The theory of ambivalent sexism, on the other hand, refers to evaluating the other person through a simultaneously hostile and benevolent attitude. Hostility (devaluation, rejection) is expressed in the context of men’s structural power, while benevolence (cavalierism) is expressed in the context of positive personal relationships. In addition, sexism is also evident in language, for example through the frequent use of the generic masculine. This also implies an unequal power relationship, especially between men and women.

In summary, sexism works through attitudes, behaviors and devaluations, but also unconsciously through language that makes women and non-binary people invisible.