Suppose we switched from Patriarchy to Matriarchy?

Post Reply New Topic

See, my previous post about Iceland.

There is no more privileged existence on this earth than women in the western world. It seems a high percentage of feminists nowadays are more focused on cutting down men than there are actually for equality.

That's a really broad statement. Cite sources. Which feminists are these? Do you have prominent names to offer? And how are they cutting down men? What leads you to believe they don't want actual equality?

Sorority and fraternity are not antonyms.

Your last sentence was pure gold.

However, under patriarchy even the legalisation and regulation of prostitution does hardly anything to protect prostitutes, according to quite a few studies.

Nah, there is no more privileged existence on this earth than a house cat. The privilege that Western women do have is dependent on two things: wealth and ability to play by the 'rules' set in place by patriarchy. Also, feminism isn't purely a first world phenomenon.

patriarchy is better, but only if balanced with a lot of matriarchy.

It is within Judaism best expressed in the compassion versus standards argument. Compassion on the micro, standards on the macro. Meaning that context is key, and even if you have a macro position that requires standards be maintained, but know that someone just cannot meet that standard for obvious reasons, you can maintain that standard for the many who have no problem in meeting it, even if you allow the one who can't meet that to be the exception, and everyone acknowledges the standard in the end. Win win.

That is how you love the minority, the different, the stranger, while still meeting the standards that make society ethical.

strict liberals prefer only compassion, and would prefer to do away with standards, and strict conservatives prefer only standards, and would prefer to do away with compassion. The text requires we have both. God is a "HE" because it is important we maintain the view that he judges, and attempt to live up to his standards. That is it... God would be genderless but its not like women throughout history have played the role of standard-bearer/enforcer. Which is fine btw, nothing wrong with that, we need that in this world.

Like that one poster above, a gender neutral society is best. A system that caters to the needs of one sex is not equality, even if it is flipped around.

This would also benefit genderqueer people like me who wouldn't have to feel pressured by the patriarchy to "man up" and follow a list of arbitrary rules.

'Rules' women are more than willing to embrace when it is in their favor. The gender roles for women have evolved but the gender roles for men are as rigid as ever. It's no wonder why the divorce rate is so high nowadays. If I hear another woman whine about how there aren't any good men anymore I think I might shoot myself.

'And of course it's not a first world phenomenon. There is actually persecution of women that takes place this world not just perceived persecution. There was a time when they were here as well but the pendulum has since swung wildly in the other direction.

I don't know how you can say what you said in your last sentence when you consider the recent remarks made by Republican candidates.

I would argue that men are victims of rigid gender roles enforced by patriarchy, as well. I don't hear women whine about how there are no good men any more, nor do I do this myself. There are probably more good men around now than in the past.

That's what I say. Feminists want all the freedom and rights that men do, but none of the responsibilities. A man in our society has greater expectations, more responsibility, and less sympathy. The legal system is also totally biased against men, whether it be family or criminal court. People always bring up the fact that there is a disparity in sentencing between white people and minorities for similar crimes. But the actual biggest disparity in sentencing is between men and women. Women also don't have to sign up for selective service. They have carte blanche on the abortion issue, men have no input. I have also been been hit by more women than I count and never hit one women in my life. Yet, are these women demonized they way I would be if I hit them? Of course not. A cop would probably laugh if I even reported it.

^The reason the police wouldn't take it seriously if your reported women hitting you is due to patriarchal attitudes about women's strength and ability to commit such crimes.

Women themselves think they can get away with hitting men and it isn't a big deal. Though, yes, men's attitudes are also to blame for fostering a society that allows it.

I'm not sure how misspoken or flat out dumb remarks from some random screwballs are tantamount to persecution. The bigger issue of abortion seems to be what you're driving home at I guess but it's not a black and white issue of women's rights, there are other parties involved. The father and most importantly the child are not factored at all when it comes to abortion. A man can't make woman abort a child he doesn't want to have but is still liable to pay child support when child is born. We except that notion of personal responsibility but not the inverse. Another thing is the portrayal of it being male vs female issue, while a larger percentage of men consider themselves 'pro-life' the issue is evenly split amongst women here in America.

As for men being victims of this patriarchy, perhaps but what is when women are willing participants and help mold these roles?

Women can be just as complicit in this as men. What makes it patriarchy is where it originates and the group it aims to serve (dominant men). Women identify with it to gain some power, but by doing so they are bound to follow its conditions (regarding their sexuality and their conduct). The same is true of non-dominant men, who are also oppressed by patriarchy.

Also, I agree with the idea that men should be able to 'abort' a child financially. I don't think that when we're talking about the stage at which most abortions occur, a 'child' and 'parents' exist, yet.

It is funny how patriarchy is capable of explaining *everything*....