Benevolent paternalism toward subordinates perpetuates their own-group oppression

Evidence

The explanation that women receive positive reinforcement for communal behaviors and adopting traditional roles is consistent with socialstructural theories of sexism (Eagly, 1987; Gutek, 1985). In particular, Jackman (1994) argues that benevolence toward subordinates in general (not only women) serves to reinforce the dominant group’s position of superiority and control. Whites in the American Old South once stereotyped Blacks as cheerful and loyal, but also as ignorant, submissive, and in need of protection. Most perniciously, these beliefs were internalized by Blacks, and resulted in their helping to maintain a system of own-group oppression. Similarly, stereotyping women as nice (but weak) and treating them in a benevolent (but patronizing) manner serves to maintain gender hegemony, in at least two ways. First, it undermines perceptions of female competence and authority, relegating women to low-status, nurturing roles. Second, it may lead women themselves to uphold the status quo. Certainly oppression is more palatable for subordinates when it is “sugar-coated,” compared with when it is overtly hostile (Jackman, ch. 6 this volume). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 768

Categorization

• XREF: Jackman’s benevolent sexism mechanism dovetails with the Allport thread’s insight that positive intergroup attitudes can coexist with status-legitimizing prejudice. — connects to: Recognition by the powerful always threatens the dehumanizing verticality of pity — Rob Nixon, Slow Violence and the Environmentalism…, 943; Paternalistic low-competence, high-warmth stereotypes predate modern egalitarian norms — Susan T. Fiske et al., A Model of (Often Mixed) Stereotype…, 34; People prefer elevated rank within hierarchy over egalitarian equal respect — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 61 (+1 more)
• ADDENDUM: Analogous to how ‘sugar-coated’ benevolence in tree/sacrifice/opulence systems masks hierarchy—benevolent justifications sustain oppression.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 768