It’s important to recognize patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity because patriarchy in this case is a system of society or government in which men have power and women are largely excluded from it. It’s best to see patriarchy as a system rather than a person because anyone can take over. If patriarchy was considered just an individual identity well let’s put it this way, may ask yourself who does patriarchy advantage and how? Well Allan G. Johnson defines patriarchy as a society that promotes male privilege by being male dominated, male identified, and male centered. At this point, males are who are being paid more, respected more, have the privilege of feeling safe in their day-to-day lives, and are given more promotions. Then on the other side, we have women that are the ones being disadvantaged and oppressed not by individual men, but by an underlying bias of a patriarchal society. They are being disadvantaged in that women still must work, often the main caregiver for their child, paid less, treated unfairly; harassed, gender stereotypes, sexism in the workplace, inequality in the workforce, and the lack of feeling safe in their daily lives.

Johnson addresses the common misconceptions and stereotypes that people inaccurately identify with the term patriarchy. He notes that we are all part of the system and to see the change we need to be aware of our actions. The system is made up of cultural symbols and ideologies that influence how we socialize and participate in society. 

In the second reading of this week, Audre Lorde Discusses the intersectional thinking that supports oppression. Lorde wants us to understand that there is more than one problem when reading “there is no hierarchy of oppression” she mentions that she is black in that community and a lesbian, and that any attack on black people is a lesbian and homosexual issue, As a society, we must make the necessary changes. She argues that feminism encompasses all identities, without prioritizing some oppressions over others.

Patriarchy is a social system put into society from the very beginning of time. Patriarchy is not an individual identity because many people in society have conformed to the ways as a group instead. In the early years of society it was never fought the idea of patriarchy until a later time when women though they should have the same equal rights. Patriarchy on a personal level creates a narrative that men are superior to women. The idea that women’s role in life is to have children, cook, clean, be quiet, be docile and be emotional. Patriarchy in a cultural sense is that women are meant to be seen as girly and delicate while mean are supposed to look strong and hard at work. Cultural sense of patriarch goes hand in hand with patriarchal society because society bring on these ideas from people cultural views. Institution patriarchy is all levels of politics are male dominated. Women function here within the structures laid down by men. There are laws made by men on women bodies. Such as the abortion laws being set today meaning once again laws being put on their bodies instead of letting women have a choice. This is the patriarchy we still have to follow to this day, that is institutional patriarchy.

‘

We need to view patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity because only through understanding how this system works and how we participate in it, we can recognize which of our actions needs to be changed. In his work “Patriarchy, the System,” Allan Johnson illustrates how exactly systems are created in society and presents everyday examples of it. The issue is, society tends to blame someone specific in a problem, such as patriarchy, which extends far beyond this specific person. “Rather than ask how social systems produce social problems such as men’s violence against women, we obsess over legal debated and titillating but irrelevant case histories so to become made-for-television movies”(28). To eliminate or change a trend that affects more than few people, we should look at a larger picture and analyze “what kind of society would promote persistent patterns of such behavior”(28). And ironically enough, we still need to shift individual actions, because they power a system through so-called “paths of least resistance,” which, according to Johnson, appear to be the culprit of patriarchy and any similar system.

Allan Johnson defines paths of least resistance as a “feature of social systems that guides the conscious and unconscious choices we make from one moment to next”(30). In some cases, I think of it as following the crowd, which is the easiest thing to do. It would not require much thinking and would not cause any judgment or opposition. A simple example would be a man within a group of his male friends who opposes their patriarchal views, but would not say anything for the sake of saving friendship and his image. “When we hear or express sexist jokes and other forms of misogyny, we may not recognize it, and even if we do, we may say nothing rather than risk other people thinking we’re too sensitive or, especially in the case of men, not one of the guys”(39). Surprisingly, even women themselves can participate in patriarchy by accepting these jokes and making fun of themselves on purpose, pretending to be the ones who choose this image themselves to feel less powerless. Along with this interpersonal oppression, patriarchy is also powered on an institutional level by sexist practices and policies: in the workplace and government. In many countries, and perhaps some of the states, women are prohibited from some jobs that require manual labor. The average pay in many occupations also seems to be lower amongst women. Over time, interpersonal and institutional oppression becomes a “norm” and embeds in our culture as a system that impacts our personal beliefs in respect. The loop starts again. This way people get trapped in a circle, where the system affects our actions, and these actions further support the system. To change the system, therefore, we have to first admit that it exists, and then “step off paths of least resistance. . . to alter the way the system itself happens”(31).

In the article Patriarchy, The System by Allan Johnson, he explains that we are stuck in a mind set that our social structures begin and end with the individual. Meaning that, we are all responsible for ourselves and how we act, including as it relates to patriarchy. However, he goes on to explain that this is not what causes oppression and a society of privilege. The system is already set up to oppress, and just by being in it we are set up to keep it going.

The reason it is important to see that patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity is because real change can only come from first understanding the system and how we take part in it, then taking the path of resistance to go in a direction that will not continue to support this system.

One way patriarchy exists in cultural structures is how men are expected to become leaders and women are encouraged to try as an act of strength and independence. This already sets up an uneven playing ground. The women will have to try much harder to make it into leading positions. As a result of the attention that these changes attract they usually are made to be such a big deal. This is a good example of why the path of least resistance, having men in power, continues to be taken. There are not many people who are willing to endure the challenge of going against the grain. Staying in the manufactured roles assigned to genders creates a culture that is based around those roles.

This plays out through the individuals, beliefs about themselves and others, and the decision they make. As well as interpersonally, women will have an expectation of themselves from the patriarchal rules, these rules will seem to benefit them if they take part. They will likely have something in common with other women, they will find a partner that will reinforce that they’re doing a good job. I don’t think any of this is necessarily better than freedom, but if all that’s known is to do something new and unknown, or to do something tried and true that gives you attention and gold stars, no matter how uncomfortable it can also be, it would be insane to choose differently. So the system is almost tied into our core needs and beliefs as human beings.

Patriarchy is not just something external. It also resides in our minds. Once the patriarchy gets into our heads, it affects the way we perceive and judge ourselves, our relationships and the world we live in. It causes many men to experience their vulnerability as weak and shameful. Furthermore, society consists of a male dominated power structure throughout organized society and in individual relationships. Power is related to privilege, in which men have more power than women, men have some level of privilege to which women are not entitled.

Let’s just imagine a person named Michael who lives in a rundown apartment and works hard at a tedious and poorly paid job. Michael is not a socio-economic winner in his community, but that community can still be institutionally structured so that Michael is at liberty in a variety of ways that his wife Rachael is not. Michael works and may not have to worry about who has to clean up after him. When he gets home, he has the right to just sit down and relax after a hard day at work, he always gets the last word when him and his wife converse, not realizing that his wife also works hard at work cleaning trash, picks up the kids, goes grocery shopping and cooks. Everything in society is repetitious. Although men and women often share the same labor. I created this to show there is no guide.

The reading entitled “Patriarchy, the System: An It, Not a He, a Them, or an Us” (2014).. This reading without a doubt struck a cord with me . The author attempts to get you the reader to investigate the root of the what actually is patriarchy while deconstructing its perceptions. A quote that stuck out to me

“we obsess over legal debates and titillating but irrelevant case histories soon to become made-for-television movies”.

I can also concur that we tend to point fingers at the killer instead of what negative social elements created the killer. Another element of the reading I found intriguing was how people always address the system as the oppressor but never consider that there are people conscious or unconsciously participating in there own oppressions. I am not saying it is not true I am saying there is a reason that “The system” is successful. The amount of people that are willing to try and fight the system pale in comparison to those willing to jump inside of it .

It is important to recognize patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity, because we all of us make the social system happen. We are the moving cog pieces within “The system”. We consciously and unconsciously participate in the system on a daily basis. We power “The System” and we do not have any idea how much power we actually have together , “The System” is not some omnipotent destructive tool put here for our demies.

I
have learned that sexism and heterosexism both arise from the same source as
racism.
This quote that raised my eyebrow, add this on to the fact that the author explains that within the lesbian community she is black , within the black community she is a lesbian and any attack against black people is a gay and lesbian issue. I loved this because She is essentially fighting the multiple causes that effect her instead of just one. We have to fight every form of oppression not just the one that benefits us. For example if your fighting for a cause that eventually goes away while knowing of other oppressions people face you, ignoring those oppressions due to the triumph of your own makes you less of a person. I can see that point but then also one could actually say in response to that , if no one showed up to my rally why should I show up to theirs? . The privilege I have experienced from a of experience from a patriarchy standpoint would be to freely blanket the internet with my thoughts freely and without consequence while simultaneously having anonymous people agree or disagree with me. I could basically say what ever i feel, spread misinformation and someone someone would agree making other people agree and or disagree. In that same vein I could also be inquisitive on why their are campaigns for the sensor of internet or free speech. The reading patriarchy, the system made me look at the privilege oppression video as somewhat interesting and senseless at the same time. Interesting as far as knowing what people defined “privilege” as and knowing that “oppression ” is thrown around far too much. The part i found senseless after reading the material was that there was not a clear solution on how to fix those problems just a reply and how it made them feel, which means those issues will still continue in a sense.

 Patriarchy is embodied in the way we function as a society.  In this weeks reading “Patriarchy the System” Allan G. Johnson, gave us many examples of how we unknowingly or not aide in patriarchy and privilege. In being part of a social system we all fall into a category upheld by patriarchy. He says, “We need to deal with the social roots that generate and nurture the social problems (28). Culturally, people raise their children and are raised themselves to believe in a particular set of rules that keep them in compliance with what is expected this is an act of patriarchy because essentially you’re being told to act a specific way that will keep you in good standing with society and your culture, anything outside of this means to not be living the right way. Outside of culture in your home some are raised to believe women’s ultimate goal is to marry and begin a family and living outside of that narrative perhaps dating multiple men is frowned upon and viewed as unacceptable these are some examples of narratives and situations that societal groups inflict upon one another -therefore aiding in patriarchy, just off of the set of beliefs their particular social system had instilled in their way of thinking and functioning. Privilege is existent and given without even being earned because the social systems are set up in a way that rewards and is fruitful to some simply for the skin they’re in so even if it is not wanted or desired it will be given regardless there is no escaping it and even with this privilege the same people who receive it can be oppressed for not being straight or desiring to live outside of society’s definition of living right. Audre Lorde seemingly is delivering the same message in short with her writing from “There is no Hierarchy of Oppressions” she says, “I have learned that sexism and heterosexism both arise from the same source as racism (2). In other words, all these stigmas arise from the same social system although all are different issues they arise from the same core which is society, making it not just an issue for those who are victimized by it but all of us. Instead of staying in a never ending loop of a created narrative we should band together and revamp it completely because we are society we hold the power to change all of it.

It is important to recognize patriarchy as a system instead of placing the blame on one group because it will cause more problems instead of understanding the fundamental causes of systemic patriarchy. We cannot simply place the blame of oppression merely on one individual, when we make up the society that causes it in some way. The way society shapes us, we shape society and allow privilege as well as oppression to happen not knowingly, but it is important to state that we all participate in the system that makes up society. More importantly if we do not try to change the norms to benefit us instead of pointing hands at one another the system will never change. Harry Brod arguments make up valid point that you cannot give up your privilege just because you want to be on the outside of it, no matter what your still in the system because that’s how society works in needs one for the other to work, only difference is if you are in the system to make a change. The levels of oppression influence one another because it is the way society is built, such as cultural/structural is what your considered “right,” “normal,” or “beautiful” this changes our interpersonal actions because one tries to do what society thinks is right and look how society think is beautiful and criticize those that do not follow the status quo. One’s interpersonal actions changes personal feelings and thoughts and may not be intentional, but they have the want of changing for what the “norms” are. Institutional patriarchy is rules and polices that do not benefit most, for example in Texas where women cannot get an abortion once a heartbeat is heard which is as early as 6 months, women legally have no right to decide on what they want to do with their body. Patriarchy can work in an interpersonal way because it impacts language, actions, and behaviors, for example in many religious families’ women cannot raise their tone at their husbands but they are allowed to tell them what to wear, where to go, and how to behave. An example of cultural and structural is having to change your appearance because society does not consider you “beautiful” or because you are surrounded by people who tell you what they think is right and not being able to think for yourself. The actions of cultural/structure lead to personal thought and feelings because you are told not to speak on what you feel like is right and you are only hearing what society thinks is right, so you are constantly having a battle with your thoughts. Overall patriarchy works on each level and each level influences one another.  

It is important to recognize patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity because if we understand patriarchy to only be associated with identity then we will never truly understand what patriarchy is and patriarchal culture. Patriarchy is a system that encompasses the world as a whole; we can see patriarchy as a blueprint for society; a guideline to know what is accepted and appropriate and what is not. Patriarchy is best described as multilayered and multifaceted. Although individuals or groups of people can enact patriarchy we must still remember that patriarchy within the world is a system that has been present throughout past societies. If we just conform patriarchy to be ‘blamed’ on a specific group of people or one person then we will never truly not only acknowledge the real idea of patriarchy but we can’t work towards real change to end the outdated patriarchy system. 

Although we know patriarchy is a system, individuals enact patriarchy in their personal thoughts, interpersonal actions, as members of institutions, and in the structure of our culture. Patriarchy might work at levels such as personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural/structural and those levels influence one another. Patriarchy can work on a personal level based on beliefs about others and attitudes about differences between others. For example, the traditional belief that men are the head of the households throughout every hospital is a form of patriarchy. If one believes that men are the breadwinners, the handymans, and the protectors in every household, or specifically every family then that is a patriarchal way of thinking. When men believe that women are only meant to be housewives or stay at home moms instead of strong, independent, and hard-working leaders more specifically equal to men then that is a patriarchal way of thinking about women. Patriarchy can work on an interpersonal level; this is because patriarchy can impact actions and behaviors. For example, violence between a man and a woman, patriarchy can impact interpersonal relationships because it influences a variety of factors from the motives of violence, to cultural, to social; more specifically, gender inequality. Patriarchy can work on an institutional level. For example, in some areas in the world like Ohio, Kentucky, and Mississspi it is illegal to get an abortion after six weeks; most women don’t realize, notice, or find out they are pregnant by or before that time. Patriarchy exists on an institutional level in areas like this because those specific social systems in those areas throughout the world are oppressing women and their rights to have an abortion. People in power throughout those areas are speaking for women and making rules and regulations for women to abide by but most of these people passing these types of laws are men. Men that can never understand, grasp, or know the concept of pregnancy and what it is like to get pregnant, be pregnant, give birth, and raise children. Essentially, these are organizations within social systems that oppress people both intentionally and unintentionally. Patriarchy can definitely influence and be influenced by culture because it is shown every day through different social media platforms. On social media, both men and women need to look their best and be at the best points in their lives at all times.

I feel that it is important to recognize patriarchy as a system because as individuals will align themselves with this system, believe in this system’s values, and perpetuate and strengthen this system; it is this system and its place in our societies itself that promotes and rewards this behavior. As Allan G. Johnson explains, we want to end oppressive systems like patriarchy, and the way to do it is to identify it, find its roots, and in understanding it we can dismantle it. Identifying the privilege and oppression that exists in these systems is also incredibly important in understanding how we can remove them.

In order to understand this system, it’s important to understand how it affects everyone on a personal level. This shows itself in many different forms. the Levels of Oppression is a great way to identify this and to represent how deeply this affects people. The personal level is present in our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs, conscious or subconscious. This person-level greatly influences the other levels as patriarchal biases will lead people to act upon their said thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. If you have a belief that your wife has specific responsibilities as a woman, you will bring that into the interpersonal level and act on it. If you are in a place of power, this will even influence your decisions on an institutional level. The accumulation of these thoughts, actions, and policies affect our culture and society as a whole.