You may have heard of « micro-inequities »; or « little things mean a lot ». In the workplace we talk about micro-inequities when an employee gets constant little comments that make s/he feel excluded or not accepted. It could also include actions like not being invited for a coffee or a lunch. The long-term effect can lead to depression or that the employee leaves the company. As the person(s) who make the comments may not be conscious of the effect of his/her comments, it is recommended to inform this person that the comments are hurtful.
Outside work we also experience micro-inequities, and I would say that women experience it rather often. For example, in a western country women are not allowed to speak on behalf of the married couple when changing a telephone subscription or the husband is considered being the owner of all property in the use of daily language or women constantly hear comments about the “truth” of women being bad drivers or not fit for a particular job. Singled out, these things don’t seem much, and it is likely that there is no bad intention, but in totality it can give a subconscious feeling of being less worth. And we know that many women have a tendency to lack confidence.
About a year ago I read about a new “language culture” that has come into the high schools in Norway. The girls are increasingly called “whores” and “bitches” as a kind of slang, influenced by both immigration and movies. After a study, it was found that the girls have decreased self-confidence and an increased attention on their appearance. One could argue that the picture is more complex than blaming it on this use of language only, but it clearly had an effect.
There is power in words. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU
