How Do We Change A Longstanding Patriarchal Society?

For as long as history can remember, we have lived in a patriarchal society. Men don’t like to hear that they have had the complete control of society, government, and economics for thousands of years. They will call you a man-hating feminazi and insist that woman have an equal place in society. That is simply just not true.

If that were true, we would see an equal amount of men and women in government, positions of power in the corporate world, and an equal amount of men who stay at home with the children, cook, and clean the house with their partner. Most often, women become not only the caretakers of the house and family, but also contribute financially to the household, but not treated like an equal partner. The responsibilities fall on most female shoulders, and men have come accustomed to using the backs of women to build their empires.

But do you know who has the sole power to change this power dynamic? We do. That’s right. Women are really the only people that can change the world into a more equal society? Why? Who do you think is raising those boys into men? Who do they love more than anyone in the world and count on to fall back on when times get rough? Their mothers.

It is in the hands of the mothers of the world to raise men who are more thoughtful, humble, and respectful to the sex that they desire, yet try to subdue. Obviously not all men are like this. There are many men who have already been raised to be decent human beings who realize the opposite sex is equal to them. However, there are far too few men who see the world this way the present moment.

I don’t hate men. I only feel that women should be treated as equals to men. We should have the freedom to forge our own path and not be suppressed by gender roles. That isn’t only for women, but for men too. All people should be treated equally and respected and accepted for their choices in life.

I am the mother of three boys and three girls. I look at how strong the girls are and how it doesn’t even occur to them that they can’t pursue their dreams and create their own destiny. Men can still be protectors and providers, but so can women. Women can still be the nurturers and keepers of the household, but so can men. Gender and sex shouldn’t determine your place in the world. It is our duty as mothers, and fathers, to raise our boys to become respectful of their female counterparts.

Women are the only sex who can bring life into this world. That is something to be celebrated and respected. They are not just loving, kind, nurturing creatures, but strong, and capable of everything men are. Societal gender roles are arbitrary and primeval. They do not represent the current state of humanity. We have the power to change that.

Photo courtesy of Christopher Alvarenga at Unsplash