Sexism is everywhere, even at the highest level

The attitudes, expectations and systems that shape how women are treated were built over centuries through laws, traditions and cultural norms that often placed men in positions of power. The law drives what the social norms are.

These structures created a foundation that still influences society today. While progress has been made, many of these historical biases continue to still show up in modern conversations about equality and respect.

Even though we’ve come a long way, many hidden battles are still ongoing. On paper, there has been real progress toward equality. Women have gained rights, opportunities and visibility that once seemed impossible. In 1971 women were given the right to have their own bank accounts or hold credit cards in their names. In 1981 husbands were no longer automatically considered the head of their household and 1994 brought equal protection rights for jurors regardless of their gender.

Yet while the policies may have changed, the mentality surrounding respect and equality has not caught up.

The reality is that sexism is often so normalized in our culture that we barely notice it anymore. Sexism today often appears in ways that feel ordinary, which is exactly why it can be difficult to recognize. When certain behaviors happen repeatedly without being challenged, they begin to feel normal. Comments about women being “too emotional,” assumptions about leadership ability, or jokes that undermine women’s competence are often brushed off as harmless. Over time, those small moments build a culture where unequal treatment becomes expected rather than questioned.

We could see it in the way women’s achievements are celebrated, even when those achievements reach the highest level of success. In sports, for example, female Olympians can win gold medals and still be the big joke in the men’s locker room.

During the recent Milan Olympics, a viral video of the United States men’s olympic hockey team showed them celebrating after winning their first gold medal in nearly five decades. While on the phone with the President of the United States, a joke was made at the expense of the women’s team, who also won the gold.

In the video, the president could be heard stating that “We have to, and I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that?” It received boisterous laughter from all in the locker room. Trump continued “I do believe I would be impeached if not.”

Days after the incident, Hilary Knight, the leading goal scorer in United States hockey history, captain and two time gold medalist, was asked a question during a press conference. She responded to the question stating: “The joke was distasteful and unfortunate. … Now I have to sit in front of you and explain someone else’s behavior. It’s not my responsibility”

Instead of celebrating the success of these women, time was being dedicated to a distasteful joke. Reporters were asking not only the captain, but other members of the team about it. Another two time gold medalist, Kelly Pannek was asked whether the joke hurt or not.

“I think the video is what it is,” said Pannek. “You’d have to ask them, I think, their feelings on it. But, I think there are elements to it, the phone call specifically, that aren’t surprising to be frank, so I don’t know why we expect anything else differently.”

This pattern isn’t limited to sports. Similar dynamics can also be seen in the music industry, where male artists are nominated for awards more than women. According to Addy Kassova Audience Strategy, a consulting firm based out of the United Kingdom, women’s representation at the Grammy Awards fell from 28% in 2025 to 24% in 2026.

Even with these numbers, it’s impossible to ignore the influence women have on today’s music. We see female artists leading global tours, breaking chart records and building fan bases that spread across generations. Yet despite this clear presence and impact, recognition within major institutions and award systems does not always reflect the role women actually play in shaping the industry.

While progress has been made over the years, respect for women is still something society continues to learn. From sports to the music industry, the same patterns appear again and again: women achieving at the highest levels while still facing sexism.

These moments remind us that equality is not only about laws or representation on paper, but about the way women are valued in everyday life.