Girls rule and boys drool; Matriarchy: the macro-social cycle of abuse
Jacob Hight
– Graphics Editor-
Though feminism is about being true to yourself and enlightening the social structure, it has also acted like a lightning rod for the gathering storm of matriarchy. Matriarchy and patriarchy are in fact the same demon, just wielding different genitals.
The “gender-archy” embodied by matriarchy and patriarchy victimizes everyone. For both men and women, gender roles may only offer a narrow path leaving them incomplete and diminished. Matriarchy is the cycle of abuse at a macro-social level.
Matriarchal images of the “liberated” or “modern” woman feed off inspiring feminist aspirations to self-fulfillment and equality. The social pressure for women to conform to an image of power is the seed of matriarchy.
If unchecked these expectations will wear down some women just as patriarchal demands have consumed some men.
Rape statistics alone powerfully prove that some men will go to abhorrent lengths to satisfy the patriarchal demands placed upon them.
Men are the first victims of patriarchy, enduring circumcision of their heart, emotions and awareness. Their primary peers are co-heirs and enforcers of the patriarchal tradition, dishing out or withholding lush incentives of self-esteem, sex, money and authority. Patriarchy’s indoctrination leaves men more vulnerable to enacting destructive impulses.
Homophobia is patriarchy’s hellish guard dog, and it must be slain.
While women have begun to rise above the iron curtain of silence, homophobia has been used to ensure males “take it like a man,” “suck up,” to not be a “sissy.”
Many males are raised to accept a culture of violence, suffering, and silence, any objections used against their sexual identity.
Regardless of the opinion if homosexuality is acceptable or not, we must disarm this social weapon and allow men of all orientations the freedom to be complete beings without fear of social or physical retribution.
Ever seen a straight man wear a skirt? Plenty of women wear pants.
In some ways Patriarchy is like smoking cigarettes, where most of the men smoke, some women smoke and everyone gets second hand smoke; peer pressure makes people start early, there’s an element of addiction, and a powerful lack or awareness.
Matriarchy would only mean the women smoke most of the cigarettes.
Vilifying men is not a solution for ending gender oppression; it cannot accomplish a superior social structure.
Statistics, stereotypes and unresolved emotions can be blinding; we must look past them a solution.
Only altruism can accomplish the goal of feminism, preventing it from degrading into a hypocritical movement, a smoke screen for a matriarchal agenda.
Only through working to liberate both men and women from patriarchy (and matriarchy) will the cycle finally end.
