| The Patriarchy |
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Posted By: Roohani Everyone hears the word "patriarchy" frequently these days, and while most people understand the meaning, many people misinterpret the word into thinking that this word is something the radical feminists use to blame all their problems, or something. So let's see what we mean by this word. This isn't the first time this is being written, yet I wanted to write on this. Patriarchy is a social system where men are seen inherently superior to women, where women are denied choices and made to live in traditional roles, where men are given more priviledges than women in terms of choice of lifestyle. A system where all housework responsibility is thrust upon the woman because she is a woman, no matter whether she's working outside or not. Where women aren't given encouragement to work outside their houses. Where women are subjected to extreme criticism if they do. Where men blame women for neglecting children if women choose to live the way they want while men themselves never stay at home to raise them. Where women have no place in the work force if they have children at home. Where the society holds double standards for "working person" on basis of gender. Where women aren't seen in most high paid jobs because they are expected to contribute to housework. Where women are seen as physically much weaker than they really are and hence denied certain things men do. Where a woman's appearance is whats the most important thing for her to gain male approval. Where a woman is labelled a slut if she wears "short" clothes but no one cares if a man wears shorts. Where a woman is supposed to have a male escort with her and she cannot choose to walk outside at late night because she might be raped. Where instead of making tougher laws to forbid men from forcing themselves on women, women are expected to wear "acceptable" clothes, not walk alone at night, etc. Where cases of domestic violence against women aren't taken as seriously as they seem to be. Where baby girls are killed just because they are girls. Where women are expected to remove any hair which isn't growing on their head but the same isn't expected of men. Where women aren't paid as much as men because they keep taking time off work to help in housework, which is again thrust upon them because men don't help with it. Where workplaces don't support women who want maternity leave, and replace them when they come back after a year. Where women are labelled "career obsessed" if they like their work, but it's "expected" for men to like their work. Where women who want to live their lives on their own terms and not being dependant on a man are considered man-haters. Where women are oppressed by men in various ways, maybe lesser in western countries, but in many ways in many countries even today. This is a universally acknowledged fact that women face the soul wearying oppression from men in various small or big ways. Patriarchy is sometimes invisible, sometimes denied of existing, sometimes questions proof - but I'd say, patriarchy is like the air : u can't see it, u can't smell it, u can't touch it - but u feel it all the time, it's around u all the time, it exists.
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