Patriarchy
Isabelle Romero
Mrs. Gickings
IDS 100-04
2 August 2012
Blinded by the Male Monopoly
Although America is oblivious of reality, the nation has succumbed to living in a patriarchal society. From afar, our nation is known as the “land of the free”; however, when taking a microscopic view into our relationships with one another it is evident that there is something wrong. In Allan G. Johnson’s Patriarchy he introduces the term patriarchy as a “male-dominated, male-identified, and male-centered society” (153). It is the most powerful force in history, and it has been operating since the beginning of the human race to modern day. From the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a document signed by men that excluded women their right to freedom, has shaped our culture into a male dominated society that has set higher standards to make it unreachable for the female gender (Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions). The idea that men are superior and women are deficient of necessary skills to be successful in life has cost females job opportunities, paychecks, and the respect deserved. American citizens are blinded by the corrupt system of patriarchy because of the male need for competition as the alpha male, the assigned gender roles that are engrained in our culture, and the mold society constructed that both women and men strive to fit. The system will be hard to break but society needs to address the oppression by educating others and taking steps to work against sexism, in order to attain full gender equality.
To start off, society is blinded by the truth of the patriarchy in America because of the drive men have to challenge other men for the position as alpha male. To gain status as alpha male is to declare ultimate dominance over women and other men. It is deeply embedded within men that the idea of dominance is the only path to great success. According to the author, Michael S. Kimmel, manhood is defined as a “man in power, a man with power, a
Mrs. Gickings
IDS 100-04
2 August 2012
Blinded by the Male Monopoly
Although America is oblivious of reality, the nation has succumbed to living in a patriarchal society. From afar, our nation is known as the “land of the free”; however, when taking a microscopic view into our relationships with one another it is evident that there is something wrong. In Allan G. Johnson’s Patriarchy he introduces the term patriarchy as a “male-dominated, male-identified, and male-centered society” (153). It is the most powerful force in history, and it has been operating since the beginning of the human race to modern day. From the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a document signed by men that excluded women their right to freedom, has shaped our culture into a male dominated society that has set higher standards to make it unreachable for the female gender (Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions). The idea that men are superior and women are deficient of necessary skills to be successful in life has cost females job opportunities, paychecks, and the respect deserved. American citizens are blinded by the corrupt system of patriarchy because of the male need for competition as the alpha male, the assigned gender roles that are engrained in our culture, and the mold society constructed that both women and men strive to fit. The system will be hard to break but society needs to address the oppression by educating others and taking steps to work against sexism, in order to attain full gender equality.
To start off, society is blinded by the truth of the patriarchy in America because of the drive men have to challenge other men for the position as alpha male. To gain status as alpha male is to declare ultimate dominance over women and other men. It is deeply embedded within men that the idea of dominance is the only path to great success. According to the author, Michael S. Kimmel, manhood is defined as a “man in power, a man with power, a
Cited: "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions, 1848." Race, Class, and Gender in the United States Johnson, Allan J. "Patriarchy." Race, Class, and Gender in the United States. Eighth ed. New York: Worth, 2010