When I began writing on Chronic Overthinking (then Chronic Overthoughts), I would have never seen myself taking up such a topic for discussion. After thinking a little too much coupled with a questionable amount of free time for someone my age, I decided to share my views on this 21st Century atrocity. Before I jump into the content, I must tell you I’ve personally experienced the effects of said society – which can either be a warning to the readers to expect some personal bias or back up the anecdotal value of this post. But it’s really your call.
Patriarchy inculcates unjustifiable ideas of what a society should be like into youthful minds
A patriarchal society is one where male supremacy is normalized. Men are expected to lead the family and take executive action while the women just sit around and watch. What’s more ridiculous than a patriarchal society? It’s existence today. This should come as no surprise to most people who follow what’s happening in countries like Saudi Arabia. It’s real. It exists and very sadly, there are millions of peoples who normalize it.
If you frequent my blog, you’re probably familiar with my style of analysis. I go right to the facts and support them with unbiased evidence (usually anecdotal) to my fullest extent. Some exceptions might include sensitive topics like those of wine and coffee because of obvious reasons which I won’t disclose 😉 PS I love them. Coming back from that nasty tangent – How can we handle people who’ve learned to see patriarchy as the norm? It’s a hard under-taking if you’d ask. I grew up to a large extent in the Middle East and India, countries where patriarchy still lives. Some progressive families and communities rebel but not all. A large extent of the people who run government or institutions of education still preach such ideas. This, in turn, inculcates unjustifiable ideas of what a society should be like into youthful minds.
The adverse effects don’t pertain to women alone, it affects certain men too
One way to handle such people is to not facilitate their behaviors in an environment you have control over. Another fine way I’ve discovered from my personal experience is to hit them where it really hurts – liberal thinking! People of these kinds are usually conservative and close-minded. They’re easily intimidated by people who base on facts. When their belief system – one of patriarchy is put to the question, they simply cannot handle it. They might use their collective power to subdue the person at hand – the outlaw or teach him their ‘rightful’ ways or simply try to exterminate him from society. Why would they want to keep him anyway?
These people have learned to accept said atrocity as the norm over the course of time, we’re talking several generations
The effects of patriarchy are many. The expectations of the ‘ideal’ for men and women usually put a lot of pressure on them. Men are asked to be the first to speak up or act. The expectation of ‘manly’ is also toxic, forcing young people to fake or adapt behaviors to win the respect of society. This manliness is often at stake and subject to mockery if a man underperforms to a woman in any regard. In this way, the adverse effects don’t pertain to women alone, it affects certain men too – such as those who don’t socialize as much, stay reserved, take on a submissive stance when confronted or those battling some sort of mental illness.
We need international laws and cooperation to get something the rest of us feel rational into their society and normalize it
How do such atrocities go with the world we live in – the one we think has grown out of its dark past and taken a progressive stance? It’s simply because people won’t change. Specific people in specific regions – not all! How do we get them to change? That’s a toughie. These people have learned to accept said atrocity as the norm over the course of time, we’re talking several generations. It’s hard for them or anyone for that matter to simply break free from the beliefs they hold dear to heart. We need international laws and cooperation to get something the rest of us feel rational into their society and normalize it. The necessary change only comes if this barrier is firstly overcome.
The last leap we must discuss is the question of giving an incentive to countries having such societies to break tradition. The answer is again not an easy one. Easy on the words, maybe but most definitely not in action. I must invoke the international law clause again here because only a law of sorts passed by some powerful entity incentivizes such countries to modernize. We must understand people don’t make the switch unless you present them candy oh, sorry, incentive – a mutual reward. This can be anything the country is in dire need of. Oil? Industrial imports?
The road ahead to modernizing all patriarchal societies is a long but viable path given all parties maintain not generous, but decent levels of liberal thinking.
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