Searching for a lecture on patriarchy (typed ‘patriarchy lecture’) podcast because my thoughts on the matter weren’t organised and focused enough to write about it. I honestly was expecting an endless list of options and I would have to find the one from a teacher. Well, that was not the result of my search, at all. It was mostly, a lot of Jordan Peterson, a few visits to Joe Rogan’s podcast and generally men with opinion type shows. But, no lecture, not even one of Richard Wrangham’s. The real concerning thing was that the vast majority were in fact pro-patriarchy.

I wondered if it may be that the algorithm was leaning towards right wing because it gets more of a reaction, as well as based on my gender, combined with actually having watched some debates with Peterson in the past (he argued about religion a few times, generally in a way that did not show him to be the ridiculous and horrendous person he shows himself to be today). But then I moved on with my ‘research’. Luckily of course, there is plenty of information available online about feminism and the patriarchy.  

When it comes to discussions on social matters, I find that the first obstacle we have is agreeing on the terminology. As often I see people having discussions across purposes because whilst they use the same words as subject matter, what they understand as their meaning is clearly different. So, besides more complex explanations from experts, let’s agree that the patriarchy is a social structure in which men largely hold most of the power. This is in a rather large sense such as being men those with more money and having jobs of power as opposed to any men going around giving orders to any woman they see in the street. Furthermore, we need to also agree that this is in fact true, I am aware that there are plenty of those denying the existence of such structures and I would not entertain a discussion of that sort, I would probably have a discussion with someone who believes it should exist but certainly not with someone who denies its existence.

Now, considering how many people seem to deny its very existence, plus those who believe it should exist. The number seems staggering, frankly, I feel inclined to believe that it is the larger portion of society. Which begs the questions, why does it persist and how do we end it? Carol Gilligan and Naomi Snider already wrote a book about it and I don’t have any great ideas to offer. Given that men are indeed in power and there is so much voicing of opinions from men who agree with a patriarchal society, is insulting to see on social media this constant argument where men are apparently the real victims. It is something at conspiracy theory level, although, rather than being a fringe point of view, is a very popular one. Counting with the support of numerous pseudo-intellectuals and very wealthy show hosts.

Whilst pro-patriarchal views are not exclusive to men, it is logical to think that the more women become involved in advanced studies across all fields, the more the balance will lean on the favour of progress. There would be a point of no return in which so many women would have taken on a different path to that of the patriarchy, a journey of independence where they get to decide who they want to be. By studying whatever they want and not only taking on existing high level roles in every industry but also developing new areas. So I do think we have passed that point finally and it will come a day where this patriarchal form of society will end.