ABSTRACT
Major social problems around the world reflect oppression of women and minority groups by men (patriarchy). While numbers of people describing themselves as feminist are increasing, female feminists are disliked by many people because their behaviors are not feminine. Men who identify as feminist are often seen as feminine and weak, anathema to most men, especially those high in hypermasculinity. Women and feminists are ridiculed, harassed, and attacked online, including by men with extreme hostile sexism. The pro-life movement in the United States arose in response to Roe v. Wade, which made abortion legal in the United States. The pro-life movement uses religious ideology to control women’s sexuality, legitimizing myths that enable the social, political, and financial oppression of women. LGBTQ individuals are gaining rights around the world, yet violence against LGBTQ people is rampant worldwide and escalating. Religious ideology is involved in oppression of LGBTQ people. Poverty worldwide disproportionately affects women and children, especially women of color and their children. Men of color are criminalized and incarcerated at disproportionate rates, keeping minority families in poverty for generations. Violence against women is a global epidemic. Minority social influence is a powerful weapon to use against hate and oppression.
