Who is part of the patriarchy?

[EatsBrainsAndLeaves]

When we use the term patriarchy, do you think that the men you know are part of the patriarchy? And if no, then who is part of the patriarchy?

I tell you who's to blame for it all: that bastard Gandhi.

But we are all in it. Pink is bad, homosexuality is bad, tits are bad....it goes on and on....

lol @ hully.

I would imagine that the tendency towards patriarchy emerged with the birth of class society, ie once surplus could be stored and required protecting, or raiding other groups' stores. This would tend to privilege a warrior class in the pecking order who could enforce their own dominance, which would almost exclusively be male, because they didn't have to birth or feed children. I assume that religion also came about around the same time, as it would both make sense of natural phenomena important to agriculture, and enshrine the dominant group and ensure their control.

I need to read more about that era of pre-history though, it's certainly very interesting.

Bloody gandhi.

And santa. The ultimate symbol of male dominance!

I love Elaine Morgan.

I read the Earths Children books this summer. Writing was a bit shit - but very interesting from a Feminist pov.

My daughter said to me tonight that being a mummy must be the best job in the world. You get to be a teacher, a doctor, a chef, a history expert, a wizz on the PC, in charge of the money.....It made my eyes leak a little, as I have worked FT since she was 5 months old....

Okay Feminism 101, because whatever you say you obviously do need this.

Patriarchy is a system whereby men as a class oppress women. That is the definition.

The system includes the law, institutions, media, the system of marriage and Heterosexual relationships, rape, violence, sexist jokes, etc.

All men benefit from the patriarchy. Some benefit much more than others, but all benefit. All women are oppressed by patriarchy. Some more than others, but all are oppressed.

So if you compare a man in the same situation as a woman you can see clearly how men benefit from the patriarchy. A homeless man benefits from the patriarchy by not being at the same level of risk from rape and sexual violence and exploitation as a homeless man. Homeless women are recognised as being very vulnerable to rape and sexual exploitation.

But what is your point?

No Eats. That IS NOT TRUE.

My point Hully is that your male partner, Husband, father, brothers, friends are all parts of the patriarchy and all reinforce the oppression of women.

was he born a man with unambiguous genitalia?

Not all men benefit from the patriarchy. Nor do all women. Some women benefit hugely as do some men. The Patriarchy IS NOT systematic oppression of women. It is the status quo - an insidious system where male VALUES are seen as higher than female ones. Where masculinity is seen as superior to feminity - where pink is bad, where gay is bad....

And EATS?

Do I have to kill them RIGHT NOW?

Oh god. That is YOUR perception, why did yoiu start this thread if yoiu aren't interested in the opinions of others.

Where Xenia says we should all go back to work 2 week after giving birth....

It's the only way they'll learn Hully.

And, once more and with feeling, Eats, if we all agreed with you - what then?

Ok.

They's killed.

What we gonna do now?

Bang on SuperBOF

Cultural feminist point to the fact that women have been written out of History ignoring the fact that history is the history of the entire human race. When you look back in history, which women feature prominently. Those of the ruling class. How many men died in the trenches in WW1, can you name one? So it's really more complex than just saying men oppress women.

YY the Elaine Morgan book is brill.

I've just paInted my nails navy. And my toes silver with pink spots. It looks ace.