Ambivalent Sexism: Hostile and Benevolent Sexism in Mere Pas Tum Ho (ARY Digital HD, 2019-2020)

This paper attempts content analysis of Mere Pas Tum Ho (ARY Digital HD, 2019-2020), a Pakistani media-text, in order to study Glick and Fiske’s (1996; 1997; 1999) notions of ambivalent, hostile and benevolent sexism, and to understand their prevalence in Pakistan. This research claims that women are doubly victimized in comparison to their men counterparts where they receive sexist attitude from both men and women especially if they have violated religious and socio-cultural norms. This investigation brings to light the role of language which regulates ambivalent sexism in the patriarchal society of Pakistan. It was found that hostile sexism operates when both men and women violate cultural and religious norms, whereas benevolent sexism operates when women repent after they are ruined. It was also found that it is not only men who are sexists but also women who treat women in sexist ways, and at times, are more intense and aggressive in their sexist attitudes towards women. The research is aimed to deepen the understanding of gendered violence and sexism in Pakistani context.