Final answer:
Sexism persists due to institutional influences such as embedded institutional sexism, systemic inequalities, and the cultural reinforcement of traditional gender roles. These factors create self-perpetuating cycles of discrimination that hinder progress towards gender equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The continued existence of sexism within institutions can be attributed to several influential factors. Specifically, there are three institutional influences that allow sexism to continue: institutional sexism, bias, and discrimination; the perpetuation of systemic inequalities through policy and practice; and the reinforcement of gender roles and stereotypes through a culture that is indifferent to or supports the status quo of gender imbalance.
Firstly, institutional sexism is embedded within the very fabric of organizations, as policies and practices can implicitly favor one gender over another, leading to unequal treatment and opportunities. These institutions can include educational systems, government bodies, and corporations, among others.
Secondly, systemic inequalities are the result of the accumulated impacts of these biased decisions at the institutional level, which create and maintain disparities in power, wealth, and prestige. They reinforce existing gender-based biases, contributing to a self-perpetuating cycle of discrimination.
Lastly, the entrenchment of traditional gender roles and expectations within the culture of institutions can normalize and maintain gender inequalities, preventing progress toward a more fair and equitable society. This encompasses not only formal statements and policies but also the informal behaviors and assumptions that go unchallenged within institutional contexts.