Seattle University's student newspaper since 1933

The Spectator

Seattle University's student newspaper since 1933

The Spectator

Seattle University's student newspaper since 1933

The Spectator

Men and the Patriarchy

Ask nearly any woman and she will be able to tell you the difficulties she has faced as a female. From catcalling and being leered at by strangers to sexual assault, the tangible disadvantages of being a female in the patriarchy are obvious, especially with recent movements such as the #MeToo campaign.

While these female-based equality movements tend to be based around solidarity and community, it is incredibly difficult to find a male-based movement with these positive characteristics. The Meninist movement and men’s rights Internet forums seem primarily focused on blaming women for men’s difficulties in the patriarchy, lashing out at others. Bluntly, they make male-focused “equality” movements seem aggressive and harmful.

But with a lack of safe and supportive spaces to share their suffering, paired with a societal expectation to be unemotional, sexually aggressive, and violent, men are facing hardships in silence. To be frank, my heart hurts. I am tired of hearing men having to laugh off their experiences of rape and sexual assault. I am tired of those close to me choosing to end their lives. After all, if you’re supposed to be unemotional, how are you able to tell if you’re depressed?

The pervasive idea that men and women equality groups are in direct opposition needs to come to end. Just as it is vital for women to have safe spaces to share the adversities they are forced to endure, men face unique challenges in a patriarchal society that tells us all we are never good enough. I am sick of seeing men suffer alone and in silence. Toxic masculinity and the patriarchy hurt us all in different ways and to different degrees, but everyone would benefit from its demise.

Emily Mozzone, Lead Designer & Advice Columnist

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  • S

    Spasmolytic
    Nov 18, 2017 at 4:09 am

    I suggest contacting your psychiatrist and see if your medication needs adjustment. Sometimes people with mental illness need to try different psychotropic medications before they find one that’s efficacious. The road to recovery is right around the corner. I wish you well.

    Reply
  • W

    Whothehell Cares
    Nov 16, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    Can you please give me an address to the patriarchy. I wan’t to join so I can have some of that privilege that feminists keep telling me is rampant within it.

    Reply
  • R

    Ratbacon
    Nov 16, 2017 at 11:14 am

    While I applaud your effort to look for some common ground, you have managed to cram into four paragraphs so much that is incorrect, patronising and downright insulting that you have a long way to go to reach your goal.

    Until you and your feminist cohort stop telling men what is wrong with us and actually listen to men for a change then the conflict is only going to get worse.

    Reply
  • A

    ard vark
    Nov 16, 2017 at 11:01 am

    sigh where to begin.
    1. the patriarchy doesn’t exist, its a feminist construct to blame all men for their personal failings.
    2. Toxic masculinity doesn’t exist, again its a feminist construct to demonize all men.
    None of these tactics are new, the Nazis used them back in the 1930s to demonize the Jewish population in Germany.

    Reply