male privilege
Unearned masculine benefits
Male privilege refers to unearned social advantages men receive simply by being male—greater physical safety, assumed competence, freedom from sexual harassment, and similar benefits invisible to those who have them.
The term is used critically, often in feminist discourse: He didn't even notice his male privilege when he walked home alone at night without fear.
Critics argue the concept oversimplifies or ignores areas where men face disadvantages.
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- old boys' networkInformal elite mutual-aid system
- boys' clubMale-exclusive social organization
- good old boysInsular network of influential men
- patriarchyMale-dominated social order
locker room talk · toxic masculinity · double standards · gender inequality · entitlement · chauvinism · paternalism · mansplaining · breadwinner role · man of the house · workplace discrimination · gender bias · bro culture · gender roles · gender stereotypes · power · credibility · interrupted
- feminismfeminism, feminist theory, gender equality, women's rights, feminist novels
- privilegeentitled, entitlement, elite, VIP, exclusive
- sexismsexism, gender discrimination, sex discrimination, gender bias, chauvinism
- social justiceracial justice, economic justice, equal opportunity, disability justice, systemic racism
- patriarchypater familias, patria potestas, patriarchate, headship, agnatic succession
- biasprejudice, racism, bigotry, sexism, ageism
male privilegemeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
gender equality · equal opportunity · level playing field · egalitarianism · gender equity